Gingivitis: Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Dental hygiene is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. Healthy teeth not only help us chew and digest food properly, but they also support clear speech, provide facial structure, and boost confidence with a bright smile. Without proper care, poor dental hygiene can negatively affect our health in numerous ways. Regular dental care ensures strong, healthy teeth and gums, allowing us to eat comfortably and feel confident in our appearance.
At Clean Smiles Dental, we provide top-notch treatments and follow-up care with our professional oral health team. If you’re dealing with gum disease, such as gingivitis, we encourage you to visit our clinic. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for gum disease is key to maintaining good oral health, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a very common form of gum disease, characterized by inflammation of the gums caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar. It is the early stage or precursor to periodontal disease, which affects the supporting bone around the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress, compromising both the gums and the tissues that support your teeth.
The good news is that gum disease can be effectively managed when identified early. If you experience symptoms such as redness, swelling, or even slight bleeding gums, it’s important to consult your dentist immediately as gingivitis is preventable. Seeing your dental hygienist at the first sign of bleeding gums is key to preventing the progression of the periodontal disease gingivitis.
Gum disease is a preventable, treatable, and you can reverse gingivitis, but early detection and treatment are essential to prevent gum disease and further damage to the surrounding structures. Healthy gums are our first line of defense against bacterial invasion, making their care and maintenance crucial.
Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis is mainly caused by plaque biofilm accumulation around teeth and soft tissues for extended periods of time due to bad oral/ dental hygiene. It is natural for dental plaque/ biofilm to develop around teeth naturally, but it is sticky in nature hence need to be removed mechanically to avoid the chronic negative effects caused by it. Gingivitis can affect anyone at any age, especially people with poor oral health. Lack of dental care causes poor dental hygiene, which in turn leads to harboring and increasing harmful bacteria in your mouth ultimately cause inflammation of gums.
If plaque and tartar stay on your teeth for a long time, irritation starts on your gums. Unfortunately, the gums swell up due to irritation and can also lead to bleeding. It can cause other gum diseases like tooth cavities or can cause tooth loss.
Let’s look at the symptoms of gingivitis.
Symptoms of Gingivitis
There is no relationship between gingivitis and age, gingivitis is inflammation of gums that can happen at any age.
- Red gums
- Swelling/ inflammation around gums
- Pain in gums while chewing
- Sensitive or tender gums
- Bleed in gums while brushing or flossing
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Receding gumline
It is vital to improve oral home care and visit your dental hygienists for dental hygiene assessment and treatment. If you feel any of these symptoms, visit Clean Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic. If cost of dental hygiene visit is one of your concerns due to no dental insurance, we have affordable treatment option available, with our Clean Smiles for Community Program at Clean Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic. We have a team of professional, competent, and highly skilled dental hygienist and dentist that will provide you best possible solution for your dental concerns.
*note – We follow Alberta fee guide and we can direct bill to most dental insurance companies for the convenience of our patients.
Treatment
The treatment can be determined after the oral assessment and periodontal exam. Hygienist performs periodontal therapy (professional teeth cleaning). To have good out comes from this therapy, it is important that the condition can be detected as early as possible and patient follows through with the recommended intervals for professional care. The hygienist will advise you with the customized methods and products for you to use at home for optimum results.
During periodontal therapy, plaque (biofilm), calculus (tartar) and staining is removed by our highly skilled and professional dental hygienist. Our professional dental practitioner will go over homecare instructions and recommend customized products and techniques to use to maintain optimal oral health.
In some cases, gingivitis is aggravated due to faulty margins on exiting restorations or any old dental work or due to the presence of decay (cavities). In this case, our dental hygienist will recommend to have an exam with the Dentists and have those dental issues fixed. This will prevent further ongoing issues and our patients are able to maintain the integrity of heavy teeth and gums.
It is important to know that the treatment option is customized and is diagnosed after the preliminary exam. It is very important to seek professional help rather than trying to self diagnose, even worse to try on remedies that have no clinical studies and data supporting them.
Prevention
At Clean Smiles, we are passionate about prevention. Our goal is not just to resolve the dental issue at hand but to provide ongoing support and resources to help you prevent future problems, such as gum disease and periodontal disease. Prevention is key in maintaining healthy teeth and gum tissue, and it helps you avoid costly and invasive treatments, such as gum surgery. We focus on educating our patients on the best practices to treat gingivitis and prevent further issues.
Below are the most effective methods to prevent gum disease and maintain good oral hygiene.
- Brush your teeth and gum line gently at least twice a day using a soft-bristle manual toothbrush or an electric one. Avoid using a hard toothbrush or aggressive brushing techniques.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.
- Floss daily to remove plaque and tartar and food particles between teeth, promoting healthy gums.
- Incorporate a mouth rinse once or twice a day as an additional home treatment. Consult your hygienist to find the best option for your needs.
- Avoid foods that promote plaque buildup, which can lead to gum inflammation and cavities.
- Schedule regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist and dental hygienist to stay on top of your oral health.
- Limit consumption of high-carbohydrate, spicy foods.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables to help keep bacteria at bay and support overall oral health.
Get treatment for Gingivitis at Clean Smiles Dental
From routine checkups for maintaining overall oral hygiene to advanced treatments like surgery for severe gum disease, our team of experienced professionals is here to help. Our highly trained dentists and dental hygienists work together to ensure your gums and teeth remain healthy. We also provide specialized treatments for issues such as sensitive teeth, gum disease gingivitis, and even dental implants.
At our clinic, we offer professional cleanings and personalized dental care using the latest technology and tools. We strive to make your experience as convenient and comfortable as possible, with evening and Saturday appointments, private treatment rooms, and a relaxing environment. If you’re looking for a dental clinic that prioritizes quality care, give us a call or request an appointment online. Whether it’s for routine care or more complex procedures, visiting your dentist regularly is essential for maintaining your dental health.
Concerned You May Be Developing Gingivitis?
At Clean Smiles, we can help! Call or book an appointment today for expert care and a healthier smile
GUM DISEASE FAQS
Most frequent questions and answers
Yes, gingivitis is very common. Many people will experience some form of gum inflammation in their lifetime. Fortunately, it is preventable and reversible with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
Common symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing. You may also experience bad breath or gum tenderness, these are signs when gum disease begins.
The best way to prevent gingivitis is brush your teeth and floss, along with visiting the dentist regularly for professional cleanings. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps remove plaque and prevent gum inflammation.
Yes, gingivitis is treatable and reversible in its early stages. Professional dental cleanings, improved oral care at home, and maintaining regular dental check-ups can help treat gingivitis and prevent it from worsening.
Gingivitis is most commonly caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to gingivitis.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, a more severe form of gum disease that can cause permanent damage to the teeth and gums, and supporting bone structures.
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