Your mouth is a reservoir for bacteria. As nasty as that may sound most of that bacteria is the good kind, the kind that is beneficial to the maintenance of your oral health. We can help to preserve the harmony by keeping our mouths free of harmful plaque buildup. Brushing and flossing at home and having regular dental checkups are both essential to achieving this goal.

One of the most pleasurable parts of a regularly scheduled dental appointment is when the hygienist cleans your teeth. Apart from leaving your mouth with a fresher than ever feeling a professional cleaning removes the plaque that brushing with a regular toothbrush, even the most efficient one, can miss. It also provides the perfect opportunity to ask your hygienist for an evaluation of the condition of your gum tissue.

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults but it can be prevented with proper care and professional therapy. If you know what you’re up against you will be better able to avoid the advancement of gum disease. Your hygienist can perform what is known as a “pocket reading” to discover the degree of separation between the gum tissue and the teeth. These measurements will help to determine whether or not further treatment is recommended.

The staff at Rippe Dental Associates are happy to work around your family’s busy schedule. Call 303-779-9876 to make arrangements for your appointment.