Dental Office Wellesley

Dental Office Wellesley | If you fail to regularly brush your teeth, you will eventually notice the presence of a yellow, sticky substance on them. Although it may seem to be food debris, it is actually a bacterial film called plaque. Left untreated, it may require a visit to the dental office Wellesley residents depend upon to receive dental care.

What is gum disease?

The vast majority of bacteria in your mouth are completely harmless. But other types of bacteria greedily devour the same food that you are eating, leading them to produce enzymes and toxins that are the byproducts of their food consumption. Plaque creates an environment where bacteria thrive and multiply. dental office Wellesley | patient and dentist reviewing x ray

dental office Wellesley | patient and dentist reviewing x ray

Plaque can fully form in as little as 24 hours. That is why it is so important to regularly brush and floss your teeth, as recommended by your dental office Wellesley. In its initial stages, gum disease is completely painless. That is why people generally don’t know that they even have it. Eventually, gum disease damages the bone that is providing an anchor for the teeth. Teeth began to loosen and fall out. For this reason, it is essential to visit your dental office Wellesley. There are three basic stages to the development of periodontal disease, or gum disease:

Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis

Gingivitis

At first, gum disease is known as gingivitis. The only symptoms that you may experience are bleeding gums after flossing and brushing. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed, and it does not threaten the loss of teeth. Just contact your dental office Wellesley.

Periodontitis

After gum disease progresses further, it is known as periodontitis. At this point, pockets will have developed under the gum line, which trap food debris and plaque. This stage also involves the loss of bone mass. Fortunately, gum disease normally progresses very slowly. Although periodontitis is irreversible, you can still keep it from worsening if you follow the instructions of your dentist from your dental office Wellesley.

Advanced Periodontitis

The final stage of gum disease is known as advanced periodontitis. At this point, the tissue and bone retaining your teeth in place has been destroyed, and your teeth may begin loosening or fall out.

How can I prevent gum disease or keep it from worsening?

The best way is to prevent or remove plaque from all tooth surfaces, including under the gum line. Although plaque can harden into tartar, it is quite soft and easily removable at this stage. The length of time that it takes for plaque to turn into tartar varies by the individual. By removing plaque on a daily basis, tartar cannot even gain a foothold and harden. Once tartar has formed, only a dental professional can remove it.

Schedule Your Appointment

In addition to the above steps, you also need to regularly visit your dentist for exams and cleanings. If you would like to receive more information about preventing gum disease, contact your dental office Wellesley today to schedule an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning. New patients are welcome.