Human teeth closeup with dental plaque and inflammation of gingivitis. Concept of brushing teeth and poor hygieneIt goes without saying that there are more factors that pose a threat to your oral health than you can count on both hands. Indeed, from the moment you are born, your smile is on the defensive protecting you from these concerns. What’s more? They do not cease with age, meaning a consistent preventive routine is necessary to preserve your grin’s integrity for life. Still, however, you may be taking all of the necessary precautions, and yet life may have a different plan. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist explores what happens when you neglect to floss your teeth, and how periodontal infection can worsen with time.

Food Particles and Oral Bacteria

Everyone has endured the experience of getting a piece of food stuck in-between teeth. Indeed, it is a nuisance that ruins your smile’s appearance, and there is nothing more embarrassing than having a piece of lettuce or cilantro in your teeth that you did not even know was there. Believe it or not, however, your troubles do not stop there.

Indeed, food particles that are trapped in-between structures draw the attention of oral bacteria that are lurking in your oral cavity. What’s more? Once these microorganisms have caught wind of the situation, they will begin to swarm the site. At this point, they are drawn close to your teeth and gums, and while they feed on the food particles, they produce a destructive acid.

These bacteria will make their way beneath your gum line and target your tooth roots, where inevitably, they will lead to the formation of plaque. The problem arises, though, that since these deposits occur beneath the gum line, they remain relatively safe from harm. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.

Protected Deposits of Plaque

As the protected deposits of plaque persist, you will begin to experience a number of signs and symptoms. For example, your gums can bleed, you may notice your structures becoming alarmingly loose, and you even face the possibility of having them fall out on their own. At this stage, periodontal infection has well set in, and treatment must be sought immediately to preserve your health. Contact our team today to learn more about this process and what steps you can take to help.

Understanding Different Options

Ultimately, the biggest defender when it comes to periodontal health is the practice of flossing, as it helps remove these particles efficiently. If that fails and gum disease or infection is imminent, you should ask our team about scaling and root planing, also known as periodontal cleaning.

Schedule Your Next Appointment

Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to schedule your next appointment with our office, and learn more about what you can do for your periodontal health today.