|
Posted on 3/10/2019 by David Mugford |
![]() You are always told to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. These activities remove the bacteria on your teeth that, if left in place, will form plaque and eventually tartar. At the gumline, it can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth forming the periodontal pockets. These pockets harbor bacteria. Your toothbrush can't reach them. These pockets, if left untreated, can eventually lead to tooth loss. How Can You Tell if You Have the Pockets?The first sign of gum disease is bleeding gums. You usually notice this when you brush your teeth. At this point, the pockets likely haven't formed and we can easily treat the condition. If you let this condition persist, the bacteria trapped under your gums and the inflammation that results from the immune response, the ligament that attaches your teeth to the gum will break down.Sensitivity to hot or cold can also be a sign of gum disease, particularly if you have bleeding gums. This happens when the receding gums begin to expose the roots of your teeth. If your teeth are also loose, gum disease is likely the culprit. Can I Heal It? In order to heal these pockets, you have to remove all of the plaque and tartar that informed on your teeth and under your gums. Though you may be able to reduce the plaque, you won't be able to remove the tartar yourself. Once the plaque has calcified into tartar it becomes a hard material. We will have to remove this tartar with special tools that don't damage the enamel on your teeth. If you catch it before the pockets get too deep, they will heal and tighten around your teeth again by themselves. Call our office today to find out more. |
![]() Phone(410) 260-0790 HoursMon - Tues: 8:00am–5:00pm Wed: 8:00am–3:00pm Thurs: 8:00am–5:00pm Fri: 8:00am–3:00pm Sat & Sun: Closed |