Gum Infection Treatment
What is gingivitis?
The most common and mild form of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is usually caused by not taking good enough care of your teeth. It occurs when bacteria accumulate on the surface of the teeth in the form of bacterial plaque, causing inflammation of the gums if it is not removed properly. If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis, don’t worry; it is the easiest and most reversible form to treat. If you go to the dentist as soon as you notice gingivitis, you have a better chance of being able to fix it. And thus prevent its progression to periodontitis.
Many factors cause gingivitis. Below we explain the most common:
- Bad oral care habits
- an unhealthy diet
- Smoke
- Stress
- orthodontic treatments
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, etc.
- Certain medications (for high blood pressure or chemotherapy, for example)
What is gingivitis?
The gums and bones that support and hold teeth in place are affected by periodontitis (also known as periodontal disease).
Causes
A persistent inflammatory reaction to dental plaque causes periodontal disease. The result may be tooth loss due to weaker gums. Once pockets (spaces surrounding the teeth, below the gum line) form due to bone loss over time, they must be professionally cleaned. Because of the bone loss, teeth may become loose and even fall out.
We restore your smile to make you feel as good as you look!
We strive for excellence in all our services to assist patients in attaining the best oral health for their needs in a trusting and friendly environment. Our dentists use cutting-edge technology. We offer general and specialized dental services in a professional environment. Our office is warm and welcoming, and we want to make every patient's visit pleasant.
1. Consultation
During your first appointment, our dentist will check your medical history for things that could be causing gum disease symptoms, like smoking or taking medicines that make your mouth dry.
2. Check Up
Our dentist will check your mouth for plaque and tartar buildup because these things give bacteria a place to live and make smelly sulfur-based compounds that cause bad breath.
3. Measure pocket
By putting a dental probe next to your tooth beneath your gumline, typically at multiple locations, you can measure the depth of the pocket that forms in the groove between your gums and teeth.
4. Dental X-ray
Wherever your dentist sees deeper pocket depths, we take dental X-rays to look for bone loss. Our goal is to clean the spaces around the teeth while preventing damage to the bone.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Gum disease has three stages, each worse than the last. The first warning signs are usually red, swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums. These symptoms may indicate that we have gingivitis. The second phase corresponds to periodontitis, and the third to advanced periodontitis. The last two phases can be irreversible and can lead to tooth loss.
What causes gingivitis?
While you might believe that some tooth loss comes with aging, it’s actually feasible for you to have all of your teeth for the rest of your life. One strategy is to stave off periodontal disease, which is brought on by bacteria attacking the tissues around teeth (“peri” means round; “odont” means tooth). You might not even be aware that you have gum disease since, regrettably, the signs and symptoms aren’t usually as obvious to you as they are to a dentist.
Gingivitis will almost always occur in people who do not practice adequate daily dental hygiene. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that can develop into periodontal disease, which causes bone loss around your teeth if left untreated. At Virginia Dental Care, our talented dentist can handle all your gum issues with great care.
How can I avoid gingivitis?
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is the most effective way to avoid periodontal disease. In truth, frequent dental examinations and professional cleanings every three, four, or six months (as advised by your dentist) are vital aspects of maintaining periodontal health. The instruments and procedures used in these cleanings can reach regions that your toothbrush and floss cannot.
We can also find gum disease in its early stages by looking at your gingival (gum) tissues and seeing how well they stick to your teeth. We can also use dental radiographs (x-rays) to check the health of your tooth-supporting bone.
Other efforts you may take include eating well, minimizing stress, and quitting bad habits like smoking, which will help you preserve your teeth for a long time.