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When people think of dental work, most think about teeth. Most will think of fillings, root canals or crowns. But a cleaning and the emphasis on periodontal health is equally important. For some, the gums are an afterthought when it comes to dental care, but they shouldn’t be. Inflammation and infection in the gums can lead to other health problems and gum disease is linked to many serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Periodontal care begins with your daily brushing and flossing. When healthy, your teeth and gums create a barrier against disease and infection, protecting the living part of your teeth. Failure to stimulate your gums with brushing or failure to floss leaves partially digested food in contact with your gums that can cause a weakness or inflammation. Not only does this cause discomfort, but it can lead to infection.

And, although infections that start in the mouth can affect teeth and related systems, it’s important to understand that an infection can spread to other areas of the body through the bloodstream. Research has shown that many infections that begin in the mouth find their ways to infect other areas of the body.

So, when you think about dental care, it’s important to think about what you can do each day. Brush, floss and be clean. Be attentive to your professional cleaning appointments and do what you can to avoid periodontal treatments like we offer. This is one aspect of your dental health that you can control!