Signs and Treatment for Gingivitis

By Admin
•
14 Jun, 2023

Periodontitis is an extreme form of gum disease that may even need surgery to deal with it. You can avoid such aggressive treatment if you recognize signs of gingivitis (minor gum disease) and deal with it in its infancy.

Signs

Gingivitis is an infection of the gum tissues. The infection can spread to other parts of the mouth and body and can develop into periodontitis if left untreated. Early gum disease is not too painful, so some people don't take it seriously. Below are the warning signs of gingivitis.

Bad Breath

Gingivitis causes bacteria to accumulate in your gum pockets—the spaces between your gums and teeth. The bacteria break down organic debris in your mouth and break them into different compounds, including smelly gases. The smelly gases cause bad breath, so the odor might be overwhelming when you wake up or go a long period of time without cleaning your mouth.

Red, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums

The bacteria that cause gingivitis destroy your gum tissues and make them hypersensitive. Your body reacts by inflaming the tissues and increasing their blood supply, which gives diseased gums their characteristic red blood. The infected gums also become unusually tender and bleed at the slightest irritation. For example, infected gums may bleed every time you brush your teeth.

Gum Recession and Sensitive Teeth

Bacterial infection weakens the attachment between your gums and teeth. Thus, you should suspect gum disease if your gums begin to pull away from your teeth. Gum recession creates even more spaces for bacteria to accumulate, worsening the infection.

Gum recession also exposes the tooth root – part of the teeth below the gum line. The tooth root lacks enamel, which protects the crown (normally visible tooth part). The exposure makes your teeth highly susceptible to irritants, such as hot food. Thus, teeth sensitivity is another sign of early gum disease.

Loose Teeth and Painful chewing

Gingivitis can also damage the connective tissues around your teeth. If that happens, your teeth become mobile and face a heightened risk of falling off.

Treatment

Consult your dentist as soon as you suspect you have gingivitis. The dentist will advise you and help you deal with the infection before it worsens. Below are the common treatment options for gum disease.

Enhanced Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene prevents many oral health problems, and it can help you deal with gingivitis. Regularly cleaning your mouth:

Reduces your mouth's bacterial load
Reduces the organic debris in your mouth that bacteria feed on

Good oral hygiene is simple: brush twice daily, floss once daily, and don't snack between meals. You should also hydrate so your mouth has adequate saliva to clean your teeth.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Brushing and flossing remove considerable debris from your mouth, but some inevitably remain. Get professional dental cleaning to remove the bacteria and debris that have accumulated in your mouth over time. Your dentist has tools and materials, such as a dental scaler, to remove stubborn debris.

Antibiotic Treatment

Since gingivitis is a bacterial infection, the dentist may prescribe or provide antibiotic treatments to reduce the bacterial load. The dentist may:

Give you an antibacterial mouth rinse
Give you oral antibiotics
Insert antibacterial gel in your gum pockets to deal with accumulated bacteria

The treatment depends on the extent of your gingivitis. Follow the dentist's directions thoroughly to deal with the infection effectively.

A dentist can help you prevent and treat gingivitis before it progresses to periodontitis, and early treatment will save you a lot of pain and money. Contact Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC, if you exhibit any signs of early gum disease. Our experienced and board-certified periodontist means we have an in-depth understanding of gum disease and the knowledge necessary to treat it.