Many problems with your teeth can be avoided if you are consistent about brushing and flossing them on a daily basis. Basic dental hygiene will remove food particles that can get stuck between teeth and decay, causing bacteria to grow in your mouth. Bacteria can cause gum diseases that can lead to tooth and bone loss if they are not treated in time.
Gingivitis
One of the most common forms of gum disease is gingivitis, which is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. A general dentist in Fargo ND can diagnose gingivitis by examining your teeth and gums. The common signs of gingivitis are red and swollen gums that may easily bleed when you brush them or when an experienced dentist prods them during his or her evaluation.
Periodontitis
A more serious form of gum disease is periodontitis, which an experienced dentist can easily spot during a routine dental examination. In many cases, untreated gingivitis can lead to this more serious periodontal disease, but it is also caused by plaque buildup around the gums. Although daily brushing and flossing can help reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth, cleanings by a general dentist can reduce the risks of this serious gum disease as well.
Periodontitis has several stages, from an aggressive form that occurs in otherwise healthy people to necrotizing periodontitis that an experienced dentist may see if one of his or her patients has a condition like HIV or an immunosuppressive disorder, or is malnourished. With more serious cases of gum disease, a general dentist may refer a patient to a specialist, a periodontist, for treatment.
If you take care of your teeth by brushing at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year, then your teeth can last a lifetime.