Tooth and gum issues are becoming more common than ever before. While people suffer from numerous oral problems, including cavities, broken teeth, and tooth discoloration, gingivitis is one of the most widespread issues. Millions of people of all ages live with gum disease, and an estimated 50 million have progressed to the more advanced stages of this condition. With so many being affected by gingivitis, it’s important to foster awareness of it and provide more in-depth education.
Gingivitis Explained
At this point, you may be wondering what gingivitis is and how it affects the teeth and gums. It’s essentially inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is caused by an excess of bacteria in the mouth. Over time, a sticky film called plaque builds up on the teeth. It provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria that naturally live in the mouth. When those bacteria grow and multiply, they can work their way into the gums and cause infections. At the same time, the plaque itself produces toxins that contribute to gum inflammation, tooth damage, and other oral issues.
How Do I Know If I Have Gingivitis?
Countless people develop gingivitis without even realizing it. Instead, they often chalk up the symptoms to brushing too hard or other causes. From there, the condition progresses, untreated, until it’s too late to reverse it. As such, it’s vital to understand gingivitis symptoms, so you can recognize them early and seek treatment. Some of the most common symptoms of gingivitis are redness, swelling, and puffiness of the gums. Gingivitis also causes the gums to bleed, especially while brushing or flossing.
Many people who suffer from gum disease notice that their gums become unusually tender or sensitive to the touch. Even their lips or inner cheeks rubbing against their gums may cause discomfort. With gingivitis, the gums may begin to pull away from the teeth as well. As a result, you may see that your teeth look a bit longer than they once did.
Receding gums further allows bacteria to creep beneath the gum line and cause problems. In addition, your teeth may become more sensitive to heat and cold than they once were because they’re more exposed to outside influences. Gum disease eventually causes the jawbones to deteriorate. In turn, the teeth start to loosen and fall out.
Treating Gingivitis
If you’re currently suffering from some or all of those symptoms, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of gingivitis. Fortunately, it’s treatable. Treatment is generally much simpler and less invasive if the condition is caught early on. In its early stages, gum disease can potentially be reversed. Treating gingivitis typically begins with a professional dental cleaning.
Your dentist may also need to perform scaling and planing procedures. Scaling removes plaque and tartar buildup. That helps to control bacteria growth and reduce the exposure of toxins to gums. Planing smooths the roots of the teeth and helps prevent excessive tartar buildup in the future.
If necessary, gingivitis treatment may also include restoring existing dental issues. For example, worn fillings, misaligned teeth, damaged or improperly fitting crowns, and other dental problems can contribute to gum disease. Addressing those factors can reduce the risks of developing advanced gingivitis. Those are a few of the most common treatments for gum disease, but additional measures may be needed.
Keeping Gingivitis At Bay
Gingivitis is more common than many people think. Addressing the condition early is the key to overcoming it. Routine professional cleanings, scaling, planing, and other measures can help eliminate the problems that lead to gum disease and make it less likely to resurface in the future. Between visits to the dentist, regularly brushing and flossing is essential to keeping gum disease at bay.
