Gingivitis is a major form of gum disease that causes redness, swelling, and irritation of the gingiva, a part of the gums around the tooth’s base. It is important to be concerned about gingivitis and get prompt treatment. Gingivitis can lead to more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss. Scott Young, DDS, has a team of specialists that treats gingivitis with more advanced treatments before it advances to more serious disease.
Diagnosis
During a dental exam, your dentist carries out several procedures to check for gingivitis. Gingivitis can be diagnosed in dental exams, including:
The gums and teeth are examined for evidence of plaque or tooth decay. The dentist checks the color and shape of the gingivitis tissue on the cheek and tongue and each side of each tooth. Painful, swollen, red, or peeling gums and ulcers or abscesses are noted as the amount of tartar and plaque present. The dentist also checks the sensitivity of the teeth and whether the teeth are aligned correctly.
The dentist checks the patients’ medical history to identify past or present gum disease or existing conditions that can contribute to gingivitis development. Your dentist also asks about hygiene routines, dietary habits, medications you have been taking, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking.
One of the most effective ways to detect tooth decay and damage is by doing a dental X-ray. X-rays help in showing small lesions of tooth decay that have not yet caused cavities.
Treatment
To treat gingivitis, you must maintain good oral hygiene. Some methods can clean the teeth. One of these methods includes scaling where tartar is removed from above and below the gum line, which smoothens the rough areas and eliminates the tooth’s infected parts. Another is laser treatment, a less painful way of eliminating tartar than scaling or root planing.
Several medications, such as time-release antiseptic chips inserted in the gum pockets after root planing, are available. Also, antibiotics microspheres are used. They are inserted after root planing or scaling, and oral antibiotics are used to treat persistent inflammation. Severe gum disease might require surgery.
Causes
A major cause of gingivitis is bacterial plaque accumulation between and around the teeth. The plaque stimulates an immune response, which eventually destroys gum or gingival tissue. It might lead to further complications like tooth loss.
Dental plaque accumulates naturally on the teeth. It is formed by colonizing bacteria that are trying to stick to the smooth tooth surface. These bacteria can help protect the mouth from harmful microorganisms, while dental plaque can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum infection. If plaque is not removed sooner, it can harden into tartar or calculus near the gums and at the base of the teeth. This has a yellow color. Tartar and plaque irritate the gums, causing inflammation at the base of the teeth. This can make the teeth bleed easily.
Gingivitis is a common oral problem in many people. Gingivitis can be prevented from getting worse or recurring through consistent flossing and brushing at home, eating healthy foods, and visiting a dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning. Scott Young, DDS is the leading dental office, and you can call them if you have any gingivitis symptoms. You can also book an appointment online.
