Despite the importance of good oral health, many of us occasionally neglect our teeth and gums by not brushing and flossing as often as we should. Forgetting to brush your teeth on occasion may not seem like that big of a deal, but poor oral hygiene can eventually lead to a range of negative effects including gum disease, tooth decay and all of the pain, embarrassment and discomfort that come with them. Neglecting your oral hygiene can cause cavities, tartar buildup and receding gums, not to mention ruining your bright white smile. Therefore, it is important to look at some tips on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy and also what you can do restore their natural, healthy appearance.
Prevention is Key
Although you’ve surely heard it thousands upon thousands of times, it still begs repeating—remembering to brush and floss your teeth twice a day is your first and best line of defense for preventing gum disease and tooth decay. The problem is that most people don’t brush properly or thoroughly enough, which is why it’s important to pay close attention and make sure you’re hitting your teeth and gums from every angle.
In many cases, your Houston dentist may recommend using an electric toothbrush as these tend to do a much better job. As well, you’ll need to ensure that you’re flossing regularly and you may want to consider using a mouthwash to further help in your fight against gingivitis and plaque. Finally, it’s important to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help strengthen teeth.
No matter how thorough you are at brushing and flossing, it’s likely that there will still be some plaque left behind. Over time, this plaque tends to build up and harden into tartar, which is a primary contributor to gum disease. For this reason, it is important that you also schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings to help remove the tartar and lower your risk of gingivitis.
Reducing the Appearance of Receding Gums
Poor oral hygiene can eventually cause your gums to recede due to gingivitis and tooth decay, which is why our Houston dentist office offers several procedures to help restore gums to their natural appearance. One option is gum gap restoration, which uses a special filler that is injected into the gums. This filler helps to restore volume to the gums and can reduce the appearance of receding gum lines in as little as half an hour.
Another option is known as pinhole gum rejuvenation, which uses a tiny pin-sized tool to pull the gums back down into their natural place. The dentist then inserts collagen strips underneath the gums to ensure they stay securely in place. This procedure can generally be performed in around one hour and has been shown to be extremely effective at reducing the appearance of receding gums.
Restoring Your Smile through Fillings and Replacements
When teeth develop cavities and begin to decay, it is important that you immediately take steps to stop the decay. In this case, Houston porcelain fillings are a fantastic option that can restore your tooth’s structural integrity and its natural appearance. These natural-looking fillings are designed to match the color and shape of your tooth and are placed directly into cavities.
Porcelain fillings require two appointments as it is first necessary to clean out the cavity and remove all of the decay. At the same time, an impression is made of the tooth that is then used to create the porcelain filling, which will be fitted on the second appointment. In most cases, you’ll be given a temporary filling to wear in between the appointments.
Preventing tooth decay and gum disease are incredibly important in order to protect the health and appearance of your teeth. Therefore, it is essential that you take oral hygiene seriously and make sure to visit your dentist regularly. Still, if you do end up suffering from some dental issues, our Houston dentist office offers numerous solutions that can help restore your teeth to their natural appearance.