Gum disease has two major stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the milder stage, and it can often be reversed if you take the right steps. Meanwhile, periodontitis can potentially lead to tooth loss and other severe problems, and it can only be managed instead of outright cured. Given these facts, it’s important to be able to catch gingivitis long before it can turn into periodontitis. Below, you will find an overview of some of the symptoms of gingivitis as well as what can be done to treat it.
What are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?
First of all, it’s important to keep in mind that sometimes gingivitis doesn’t cause any truly noticeable symptoms. It is completely possible to have the condition and not realize it. As such, the most reliable way to have gingivitis caught as early as possible is to have the health of your gums evaluated at regular dental checkups.
With all that said, sometimes there may be some warning signs that you can catch on your own. Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Gums that have become red and swollen.
- Gums that are unusually tender and possibly hurt when you touch them.
- Bleeding that tends to occur whenever you brush or floss.
- Bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away.
- Receding gums that result in teeth that look longer than they did before.
Do any of the symptoms above seem familiar? If they do, there’s a very good chance that you have developed gingivitis, in which case you should make arrangements to see a periodontist in the near future.
What Can You Do If You Have Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is caused by an accumulation of plaque and tartar around and below your gumlines. In order to get rid of these harmful substances, your periodontist will need to perform a thorough cleaning. This will typically involve two major steps: scaling and root planing. Scaling is the process of getting rid of plaque and tartar while root planing is when the roots of the teeth are smoothed out so that bacteria have a harder time clinging to them.
Practicing good oral hygiene at home is also an important step for dealing with gingivitis. Always brush your teeth a minimum of two times every day; make sure that you’re holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle so that it can clean your gumline. Of course, brushing alone can only do so much to keep your mouth clean, so don’t forget to floss daily as well.
While the consequences that gum disease can potentially lead to are frightening, the issue will be much easier to deal with if it’s caught early. Keep an eye out for the signs of gingivitis so that you can have it treated as quickly as possible if it ever occurs.
About the Author
Dr. Eduardo R. Lorenzana earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Baylor College of Dentistry before going on to pursue his Certificate in Periodontics and Master’s in Oral Biology. In 2001, he earned the distinction of being Board-Certified by the American Board of Periodontology. He uses Perioscopy as part of the scaling and root planing process, allowing him to clean the area below the gumline as thoroughly as possible. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lorenzana at Lorenzana Periodontics in San Antonio, visit his website or call (210) 492-3519.