Taking care of your teeth and gums lead to a healthy mouth and great dental checkups. Poor oral hygiene can lead to disastrous consequences. Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, DMD wants to remind his patients what good hygiene is and what poor hygiene can lead to.
Brushing two or three times per day and flossing once per day is all that is needed in your daily life to fend away dental plaque and tartar. In addition, you will want to make routine appointments with Dr. Ruyak for checkups and professional cleanings.
Plaque is the slimy white stuff that appears on your teeth throughout the day. When plaque is not removed, it eventually hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar both lead to decay and gums problems. When tartar is not removed, it can irritate the gums enough to where they begin to pull back. This is called gum recession. Recessed gums form deep pockets where bacteria can collect. These pockets allow bacteria to get deep into the gums where the tooth root is located. This can weaken the tooth and make it more difficult for the gum disease to be cleared.
Gum disease is tough to get rid of and only gets more difficult with time. In advanced stages of gum disease, it will take more than clearing up the disease to heal the gums. Surgery can be necessary to fix recessed gums and deep pockets.
Keep up with a healthy brushing and flossing routine and be sure to see us at least every six months! To schedule your next cleaning and examination with Dr. Robert B. Ruyak, call our Bethlehem, PA office at (610) 861-0777 or visit our website, www.drrobertruyak.com.
