The Consequences of Poor Oral Care

Skipping brushing your teeth can lead to more than just bad breath and yellow teeth. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we are dedicated to informing our patients about good oral health. Read on to learn some of the consequences of taking poor oral care.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is to remove plaque that builds up from food, saliva, and other debris. After brushing, plaque (a bacterial film) builds up just hours later. This is why brushing should be done two or three times per day. Plaque that is not brushed away turns into tartar which is only able to be removed by a dentist.

When plaque and tartar are not removed, they begin to irritate the gums, leading to gum disease and causing gum tissue recession. Receded gums form deep pockets where bacteria can collect. These pockets are hard-to-reach areas so it often makes clearing up gum disease very difficult.

Gum disease can cause bleeding, painful gums, the spread of infection, and the loss of teeth. In addition, it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Extensive dental cleanings and even gum surgery may be needed to clear up severe gum disease.

To keep a healthy mouth, brush two to three times per day and floss once per day.  In addition, schedule routine dental visits at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA. To schedule, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

Different Stages of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. If you don’t practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis, then you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center twice a year to keep your gums healthy.  

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Protect Yourself from Gingivitis

 

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, if you spit a bit of blood in the sink after brushing and flossing, this is typically the first sign. Good oral hygiene is essential to protecting yourself from gingivitis. In addition, you should be scheduling professional cleanings with our staff at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center twice a year. 

The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue. Luckily, at this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become more severe and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.

If are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, if you spit a bit of blood in the sink after brushing and flossing, this is typically the first sign. Good oral hygiene is essential to protecting yourself from gingivitis. In addition, you should be scheduling professional cleanings with our staff at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center twice a year.

The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue. Luckily, at this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become more severe and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.

If are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.