Dental professionals recommend getting a dental clean every 6 months as we get a build up under the gums that requires a dental practitioner to remove.
That build up causes inflammation, and the gums become puffy or red and you may notice bleeding when you brush or floss (gingivitis).
If the build up is not removed, the inflammatory response continues and there is destruction to the ligaments and bones that support your teeth; this is known as gum disease or periodontitis.
To diagnose gum disease your dental practitioner will do a gum assessment or charting and measure around each tooth in six different spots to work out if there is any destruction or signs of gum disease.
It is important to know that smoking masks the early signs of gum disease making it harder to diagnose and treat.
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