Help Prevent Gingivitis with these Tips
Most people do not know about the prevention and treatment of gingivitis. Gingivitis is typically referred to as periodontal disease or gum disease. It can cause swelling, inflammation, or irritation of the gums. Since it can be mild, you may have gingivitis without even being aware of the condition. Gingivitis is usually not painful at first. Over time, the pain may start to increase. Some symptoms and signs of gingivitis are swollen gums, receding gums, tender gums, or gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing. Other signs could include a change in color and bad breath. It is important to schedule an appointment with us as soon as you can so we can inspect the gums, teeth, and rest of your mouth. If gingivitis is not treated, it could lead to a more serious disease of the gums called periodontitis and eventually tooth-loss. A common reason for gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Regular checkups, flossing, and daily brushing will help to prevent gingivitis. Luckily, gingivitis is easily treated if identified early. Most all dentists recommend a regular checkup about every six months to discover if cavities, gingivitis, or other condition is present before causing other serious problems. Appointments should be scheduled if you notice any symptoms between visits. This can help prevent a larger issue from forming.
When to schedule an Appointment
If you notice any pain or sensitivity to the gums, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. When the plaque builds on your teeth for a long time it becomes a hard coating on your teeth called tartar. The cleaning process done for this tartar is known as scaling. The gums could be sensitive after the scaling, but you should notice an improvement after a few days. There are special flosses available for gums that are sensitive. By removing the plaque with brushing twice a day and flossing at least once, you can prevent the recurrence of gingivitis.
Causes of Gingivitis
The most frequent reason for gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. This can promote the formation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky invisible film made up mainly of bacteria. It forms on teeth when sugars and starches in your food react to bacteria found normally in the mouth. Flossing and brushing the teeth every day will help remove this plaque. Daily removal of plaque is required because it can reform again within twenty-four hours. If the plaque is left on longer, it will harden into tartar. This will then require a dental appointment so a professional cleaning can be done.
Risk Factors for Gingivitis
Anyone can get gingivitis. Factors that increase the chance of getting gingivitis could include poor oral hygiene, use of tobacco, old age, diabetes, decrease in immunity, dry mouth, medications, viral infections, hormonal changes, or poor nutrition. Gingivitis that goes untreated spreads to the underlying bone and tissue causing periodontitis, a more severe disease and leads to loss of teeth. Your overall health is affected and is linked risk of lung disease, heart attack, and stroke. By going to regular dental examinations, you can help prevent the issue.