A local dental hygienist is stressing the importance of keeping up to date on your routine check ups to maintain good oral health.

Nicole Kielly, owner of the Dental Hygiene Studio, says not all oral problems cause pain and discomfort. She says many kids and adults have gingivitis and don’t realize it.

She says the word “gingivitis” carries a bit of fear, but in reality most people have one localized spot in their mouth. One of the signs is bleeding gums, which Kielly says is common, but that doesn’t make it normal.

“That’s essentially the gateway to which bacteria can get into our bloodstream. It also creates an inflammatory response within our bodies and that’s how it’s connected to a lot of oral health problems.”

Kielly says different patients have different needs when it comes to how often they should visit the dentist, and people should speak with their provider to determine the frequency which works best for them.