How Poor Hygiene Can Lead to Destructive Gum Disease

Your hygiene routine plays a significant role in the state of your oral health. For example, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once is the only way to control the oral bacteria that cause issues like gum disease. At our Encinitas/San Diego office, we stress the importance of hygiene by ensuring every patient knows the best ways to keep their smiles clean and healthy at home.

What poor hygiene means

Poor hygiene doesn’t necessarily mean that you completely neglect to clean your teeth every day. In fact, many patients who suffer from poor hygiene don’t realize that their routines are lacking. On the contrary, it simply means ineffective hygiene, which can result from skipping your brushing and flossing routine just once, or not paying enough attention to your gum line when you clean your teeth. This allows bacteria to gather on your teeth and gum line despite your efforts to prevent it.

How quickly problems arise

It doesn’t take long for the plaque that oral bacteria develop to harden into tartar – a calcified substance that toothpaste and water can’t remove. No matter how well and how many times you brush and floss your teeth every day, tartar will remain, allowing bacteria to get stronger and attack your teeth and gums. Fortunately, you can prevent this by having your dentist or periodontist remove plaque and tartar during routine preventive cleanings.

How your periodontist can help

If your hygiene routine isn’t up to par and you develop gum disease, then your best way to protect your smile is to allow your periodontist to treat it. Depending on the severity, this may require scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), laser periodontal treatment, and/or other holistic periodontal maintenance treatments. In severe cases of gum disease, gum grafting and/or tooth replacement with dental implants may also be necessary.

Improve your hygiene to prevent gum disease

A good daily hygiene routine is your most important defense against gum disease. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.