Gingivitis Symptoms and Treatments
What You Need to Know About Gingivitis
Though you may not know it, many people including yourself have some level of gingivitis or gum disease at this very moment. We are all familiar with the term, and some of may know exactly what it is; still others do not-and most do not know the accurate ways to gauge if they do have gingivitis. Below, we examine the nature of gingivitis, how it manifests itself, how you can seek treatment for it, and what will happen if you don’t.
Gingivitis is basically a gum disease in which the natural bacteria in our mouth builds up and forms plaque on our gum line and teeth and begins to cause inflammation of our gums. Gingivitis is very common and is often caused by a number of factors to include: bad dental care habits, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, autoimmune disease, use of certain medications, smoking, etc., but the main reason that people have gingivitis is because they are not brushing, flossing, or making enough dental checkups for proper oral hygiene.
The Symptoms of Gingivitis
How do you know if you have gingivitis? The first thing someone may think is that they should have some pain-and in many cases, someone with gingivitis won’t even experience pain- this is why it is vital that you be checking for the following symptoms on a regular basis-as they are signature of gum disease:
1. Swollen or bulging gums.
2. Bad breath.
3. Red gums, as opposed to the healthy pink color.
4. Bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing.
5. Sensitivity when eating or drinking.
6. Soft gums.
All of these symptoms as one or many, can point to bacteria build up in your mouth and should be checked out immediately to avoid further complications. Gingivitis unchecked can lead to periodontitis, tooth decay, and possible surgery for bone restoration.
Gingivitis and Gum Disease Treatments
Though there may be gum disease treatments out there that use antibiotics or the like, the most effective means of rooting out bacteria and plaque buildup is to visit your dentist, have a rigorous cleaning, and learn the best ways to brush, floss, and prevent future occurrence of gingivitis.
If gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, your dentist will recommend a specialist in this field. Periodontitis is when so much plaque and tartar has built up in the gum line, that the tooth has pulled away from the gum and has formed a new pocket for bacteria and food to get stuck in. Through a series of visits, your periodontist can remove all this bacteria and build up from the pockets with a deep cleaning called a scaling. In the event that the bacteria has built up for too long, antibiotics and/or surgery may be needed.
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Dr. Delaram Hanookai is a Los Angeles-based Periodontist who has trained with the world’s most prominent Dental Implantologists. She is known as the “Plastic Surgeon of the Smile.” Click here for more information on Sedation Dentistry. Or call (818) 788-8787.
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