Gum Care in the North Arlington & Kearny Areas
Why Gum Care Is Essential
If you’ve ever been to the dentist, chances are, you’ve heard the old adage, “Have you been flossing?” While many find this to be a dreaded question, the reason dentists ask it is very important for not just your gums, but your overall health. Your gums are made of connective tissue that covers the mucous membrane and bones of your teeth beneath. It also serves as a barrier to bacteria.
When you floss and brush your teeth, it helps to prevent plaque from forming. Not doing so can result in gingivitis, a form of gum disease characterized by inflammation of the gums and bacteria buildup. While gingivitis is quite common, if left untreated, it can lead to a much more serious disease called periodontitis, which damages the soft tissue and can destroy the bone that supports your teeth.
Not only will periodontitis wreak havoc on your smile, but it has been linked to other health conditions like diabetes, heart and kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, asthma, osteoporosis, cancer, and respiratory infections like COPD. So, if we ask if you’ve been flossing recently, we mean well!
What Are the Causes of Gum Disease?
There are many potential causes of gum disease, but some of the most common include:
- Plaque buildup
- Poor dental hygiene
- Smoking
- Conditions such as diabetes
- Hormonal changes in women
- Family history
How We Work to Prevent Gum Disease
Plaque buildup is the main cause of gum disease, so we will go through the steps of cleaning, scaling and root planning to stop it right at the source. During the scaling process, we will remove the plaque and tartar around your gumline. Root planning will involve smoothing the surface of the teeth roots, allowing the gums to reattach.
How We Work to Treat Gum Disease
Depending on the severity of the gum disease, we may be able to treat it in our office so long as the patient follows up with the recommended hygiene protocol. If the case is more severe and the tissue around the teeth has reached a certain level of damage, the patient may require surgery and/or antibiotic treatments. We like to begin with proper dental hygiene habits so that this is not an issue, but if you find yourself in this position, you can trust us to care for your teeth in the best way possible.
To schedule an appointment for gum care in Kearny, give us a call at (201) 627-5060 and we would be happy to serve you and your smile.
Smile Design Specialist
Meet Your Board Certified Prosthodontist-
Richard A. EksteinBoard Certified Prosthodontist
Why We're the Right Choice for You
Benefits of Smile Design Specialist:-
CareCredit & In-Office Financing Available
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Providing the Best Dental Care Since 1984
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Board Certified Prosthodontist
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Focused on your Dental & Overall Health
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Complimentary Initial Consultations*
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Services Available in English, Spanish & Portuguese
*should you proceed with treatment
