Visiting your dentist on a regular basis

Clean teeth and healthy gums in Sutton are vital for good oral health and overall well-being. It is important to visit your dentist on a regular basis so that your teeth can be fully examined and the dentist can check to make sure that your mouth is clean, healthy and that there are no underlying issues present. Not all dental issues are symptomatic however toothache, bleeding gums, sensitivity and bad breath are symptoms that should not be ignored. If you are experiencing any of these issues it may be a sign of underlying dental problems and need to be attended to immediately to prevent further damage and complications. Visiting your hygienist alongside your dental appointments at Benhill Dental Practice is an extremely important form of preventive therapy in dental hygiene and is required to help maintain clean teeth and healthy gums in Sutton.

The role of the hygienist in maintaining healthy gums

Optimal gum health is vital for good dental health. Your hygienist will help educate you about good oral hygiene techniques, advise as to how to maintain good dental health and give nutritional advice and information about specific foods which may be beneficial or should be avoided to make sure that you have healthy gums in Sutton. The hygienist is concerned with identifying and preventing dental issues by examining your mouth thoroughly to check for any signs or symptoms and to identify them early on and therefore prevent further complications by treating them successfully before they can cause damage to the surrounding dentition. The Field of dentistry concerned with gum health and issues of the supporting structures of the teeth is known as periodontics. The periodontium consists of your gums, alveolar bone, the cementum which attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone and the ligament which holds the tooth in place. Periodontics is involved with the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases and conditions affecting these structures. These include gingivitis, which is commonly known as gum disease, which is an infection and inflammation of the gums and if left untreated can result in periodontitis, which is the infection of the other structures of the periodontium.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis can occur throughout all stages of life and is a key dental issue that may be experienced by most adults at least once in their lifetime. Gingivitis usually occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and avoiding regular visits to the dentist. Other factors such as pregnancy, smoking, poor nutrition, specific medications and another underlying disease can also result in gingivitis. Bad breath and bleeding gums are the key symptoms of gingivitis and should never be ignored. The earlier that this can be detected the fewer complications there will be in the future, if left untreated gingivitis can spread and infect your remaining healthy gums and other structures of your mouth resulting in periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severely painful condition and can ultimately result in tooth loss. Book an appointment with your dentist here at Benhill dental practice and you can undergo a full examination to make sure that you have clean teeth, healthy gums in Sutton and start enjoying better oral health from today.