Gingivitis Treatment Flashcards
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a slow-forming dental disease that eats away at your gums. Gingivitis treatment is mild if you catch the disease early enough. But if it’s left untreated for too long, your treatment for gingivitis may be painful and much more expensive. If you’re expecting, consider pregnancy gingivitis treatment to maintain or restore your oral health. A consistent oral health routine at home can prevent gingivitis. So, seek gingivitis treatment early at Broadway Family Dental.
Gingivitis is one of many forms of gum disease that can become a serious health problem if left untreated. Gingivitis forms when plaque builds up between teeth and along gums, releasing toxins that cause inflammation along your gum line. It can become a painful condition that leads to tooth decay, cavities or worse.
Gingivitis is quite common, affecting three in four adults in the U.S. Without gingivitis treatment, you’re susceptible to more serious forms of gum disease and even tooth loss. If your condition worsens, you may need periodontal disease treatment or even gum surgery. Recent studies link oral health diseases to illness elsewhere in the body too, making it even more urgent that you seek dental care.
What Causes Gingivitis?
As the most common form of gum disease, gingivitis has numerous, commonplace causes, including:
Poor oral hygiene that fails to remove plaque fully
Smoking and chewing tobacco
Poor nutrition
Certain medications
Chronic stress, chronic illness, cancer and other diseases, which weaken your immune system over time and create conditions ideal for gingivitis
Periods of hormonal change, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause
Remember, gingivitis is a condition that appears gradually. That means you may not even notice it in its early stages. One way to prevent gingivitis is to know to look for it if you fall into one of the at-risk categories above. A better way to prevent the disease is to get your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year by a qualified family dentist in New York City.
Signs You Need Gingivitis Treatment
Knowing the signs of possible gingivitis allows you to catch it early and prevent the need for more serious forms of medical intervention. Signs of gingivitis include:
Gums that are red, irritated and puffy Unexplained bleeding from your gums Gums that look as if they are receding from your teeth Teeth that are painful and sensitive Gums that are sore and painful Teeth that have become loose Chronic bad breath If you have any of these signs, be sure to see your dentist as soon as possible. The earlier gingivitis is caught, the easier and less expensive treatment for gingivitis is. In contrast, the longer you wait, the more painful and more expense your condition is to treat.
Treatment for Gingivitis
Gingivitis is easily treatable and usually reversible if caught early. Depending on the severity of your case, correcting the condition can take several months or longer. The first step is to visit your dentist if you suspect you may have gingivitis. Your dentist:
Examines your teeth and gums to catalog all signs of redness and swelling
Measures the gum pockets — the grooves between your gums and teeth — to make sure they’re not deeper than normal and thereby harboring gum disease
Performs x-rays to check for bone loss
After your Brooklyn dentist assesses the damage, you undergo a professional cleaning by the hygienist to remove the excess plaque. Your dentist may prescribe special oral care products — such as toothpastes, oral rinses and topical antiseptics — to use at home. These products are specifically designed for gingivitis treatment.
In severe cases, dental restoration may be necessary to correct poor-fitting crowns and bridges, or for teeth that are improperly aligned. You may also need several more visits to check your progress and make sure gingivitis doesn’t return.
Special Pregnancy Gingivitis Treatment
Pregnant women are at increased risk for pregnancy gingivitis: a form of gingivitis that can occur due to the hormonal changes. Remember, hormonal change is one of the at-risk conditions.
Pregnancy gingivitis is most common during mid-pregnancy, months two through eight. During this time, your dentist may recommend additional cleanings as a preventative form of pregnancy gingivitis treatment, along with increased vigilance and dental care at home. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics as a pregnancy gingivitis treatment or to prevent pregnancy gingivitis from occurring.
Things You Can Do
The easiest treatment for gingivitis is prevention through self-care. A healthy daily routine includes:
Doing a better job brushing your teeth
Using an appropriate toothbrush or using an electric toothbrush to clean more effectively
Flossing daily
Adding antibacterial toothpaste and mouthwash to your routine
Using an interdental cleaner — such as a dental pick — to provide additional cleaning
Stopping tobacco use
Keeping regular dentist appointments
Gingivitis can be a serious health condition, but with these few simple measures, your risk is greatly reduced or eliminated altogether.
