The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis and, for some people, it can be difficult to recognize. Seeing your dentist regularly at Impressions Dental in Chandler, AZ, ensures that an expert always has an eye on the health of your gums and can identify complications early. If gum problems have already set in, gingivitis treatment is necessary to stop the progression of the disease because this oral health complication does not go away on its own.
Signs of Gingivitis
Gingivitis does exhibit obvious signs, but if you aren’t paying a lot of attention to your gums, if you have a high threshold for discomfort, or if you haven’t been to your dentist recently, the problem can easily be missed. Here are some of the most common signs of gingivitis:
- Sore gums
- Redness
- Swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Bad breath
- Tender gums
- Gum recession
Potential Causes of Gingivitis
There are many potential causes of gingivitis, but they will vary from patient to patient. You only need one cause to lead to the early stage of gum disease.
- Teeth grinding: Unconsciously grinding your teeth every night can lead to gum recession and an easier entry for bacteria to make its way into the depths of your gums.
- Avoiding dental appointments: It really is important to see your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and dental exam. These visits include a gum disease screening which allows for the diagnosis of the problem early before it causes more severe side effects.
- Aggressive toothbrushing: Brushing your teeth aggressively doesn’t make them cleaner, it just irritates the gums and leads to gum recession which can create an opening for gingivitis.
- Not flossing: Flossing your teeth daily is the difference between good and poor oral health. The floss stretches along the gumline and moves bacteria and plaque out of the way so it can’t cause complications.
- Genetics: Problems with gum health are often a genetic predisposition. If your parents have this oral health complication, your likelihood of developing it rises too.
Types of Gingivitis Treatment
If you are firmly in the gingivitis stage of gum disease, you’re lucky. It means the disease hasn’t had the chance to spread too far into your mouth or threaten greater oral health problems, like bone and tooth loss. There are several treatment options for tending to early periodontal complications, including:
- Laser gum treatment: Lasers break up plaque and tartar, effectively removing the irritant responsible for causing gingivitis. This non-invasive procedure helps patients feel better right away, stops gum disease in its tracks, and promotes healing.
- Deep teeth cleaning: Scaling and root planing is the traditional method of treating gum disease, which involves pulling the gums away from the tooth and scraping away bacteria, plaque, and tartar that have collected on the teeth and underneath the gums.
- Antibiotics: Gum disease in any stage is an infection. Your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to accompany the in-office treatment you undergo.
- More frequent dental visits: Once you’ve undergone gingivitis treatment, it’s important to stay on top of your oral health to prevent the problem from reappearing. Your dentist may recommend more frequent dental visits.
Get Gingivitis Treatment in Chandler, AZ
Even if you take excellent care of your teeth, sometimes gum disease finds a way in. Don’t be embarrassed by your oral health problem – get help. Your dental team at Impressions Dental wants to help every patient have healthy teeth and gums, no matter what.
By acknowledging that something isn’t right with your oral health, you’re protecting your future oral health and eliminating the need for more complex treatment later. If you suspect that you have gum disease, are experiencing discomfort, or haven’t been to the dentist for a while, contact us to schedule an appointment.
