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At Milford Dentists Healthy Teeth Begin With Healthy Gums

Thursday 29 September 2016, 3:28PM

By Beckie Wright

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At Milford Dentists they know that healthy teeth begin with healthy gums, and they are there to give advice on how to prevent gum (or periodontal) disease, bleeding gums and dental decay. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, but the dentists at Milford Dentists, Andrea Clarke, Tristan Barker & Geoff Moulder, work with their patients to rectify gum problems to repair any damage to their teeth that may have already occurred.

The main cause of gum disease is the formation of dental plaque, which is a sticky film on the tooth surface. The bacteria contained in plaque release toxins that can damage the gums, and if plaque is allowed to accumulate, it causes inflammation of the surface of the gums, which is known as ‘gingivitis’. This inflammation will resolve if the plaque is removed through cleaning of the teeth and no permanent damage is done. As the amount of plaque increases it can begin to mineralise and form tartar (calculus). Such hard deposits have a rough surface and allow more plaque to form and cause further damage to the gums. If plaque accumulates for a long time the changes it causes in the gums can lead to loss of the bone support, a condition known as ‘periodontitis’. This makes for a very good case for us to look after our teeth and gums by brushing and flossing every day.

The professional team at Milford Dentists will advise their patients on a long-term treatment plan to ensure they maintain good oral health over the coming years, and they will receive excellent guidance on how to look after their gums and teeth. They can even provide their patients with dietary advice and instructions on how best to brush and floss their teeth so that they avoid the build-up of plaque that can cause gum disease, so for more information on Milford Dentists and their services, please visit the website at http://www.milforddentists.co.nz.