Do you have gum disease in Clovis, California? If so, it’s important to receive treatment right away. The first step you need to take is visiting your dentist, Dr. Kenneth Klassen or Dr. Wendy Quiroz, for a dental cleaning and exam. The cleaning will help eliminate the plaque and hardened tartar that irritate and infect your gums. If necessary, your dentist will recommend one or more treatments for you.
Once you’ve received treatment, it’s important to continue treating your periodontal disease at home. You can do so by following these steps:
Step 1: It’s important to floss your teeth at least once per day. This will help you clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth from the plaque and bacteria on your teeth and gums. Make sure to thoroughly floss in and around the gumline, but be gentle as you do so. If you aren’t sure how to properly floss, please feel free to ask your dentist for guidance.
Step 2: Brush your teeth two to three times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. As you brush, it’s best to use fluoride toothpaste. However, if your dentist recommended using a paste that contains the antibacterial ingredient triclosan, it’s best to use that paste instead.
Step 3: If you have a water irrigator, like Water Pik or Hydro Floss, it’s recommended to irrigate your smile twice per day. Doing so can fight your periodontal disease, massage your gums, remove plaque from your smile, and clean around dental work, like dental crowns, bridges, and implants.
Step 4: Rinse your mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash two to three times a day if possible. This will help reduce the bacteria in your mouth and prevent further infection. However, if your dentist recommended rinsing with a prescribed mouthwash, use that product instead.
Step 5: If your dentist prescribed an antibiotic gel, it’s best to apply it to your gums twice a day after you have brushed, flossed, and irrigated your teeth. This will help kill bacteria and will also help you keep your periodontal disease under control.
Step 6: Take the oral antibiotics that your dentist prescribed to you. This will kill the periodontal infection and will prevent the formation of bacterial colonies, especially after a surgical gum treatment. Make sure you take the medication as recommended.
If you have any questions or if you would like to learn more, please feel free to call Wendy Quiroz, DDS today at 559-299-9211 and talk to a member of our dental team. We look forward to hearing from you!