Healthy gums are crucial in maintaining dental health. Natural aging brings a number of general health concerns, and gum recession is on that list. Unfortunately, you can’t guarantee prevention of gum recession, but you can turn to dental hygiene and preventive dental care to stave off the oral health complications that come along with growing older. Your Greenfield general dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, will explain more about receding gum tissue.
The Start of Gum Recession
Gums serve both cosmetic and functional purposes, framing your smile and protecting the roots of your teeth from bacterial proliferation. When gum tissue recedes as a result of gum disease or aging, the spaces between your teeth become more prominent and the roots of teeth become partially exposed. This heightens the risk of tooth decay, root infection, and tooth abscesses.. It’s important to proactively treat gum disease before it develops. Many medical research studies have found possible links between gum disease and overall health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
What to Do About Receding Gums
There is no guarantee that your gum tissues won’t recede to some degree as you age, but gum disease can be potentially avoided. Routine checkups with your Greenfield general dentists to get plaque and tartar buildup removed from your gumline can help significantly. When you practice oral hygiene at home, make sure to brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with a germ-killing mouthwash. Replace toothbrushes every four weeks for manual, or every three months for electric toothbrush heads. If you grind your teeth, this can add to more significant recession, so be sure to discuss the issue with your dentist.
Schedule a Checkup with Greenfield General Dentists
If you are due for a biannual dental checkup, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda would love to be your Greenfield general dentists. Contact our 01301 dentist office by calling 413-772-0842. We are happy to serve patients in the western region of Massachusetts, close to the surrounding states of CT, NH, VT, and NY.