What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, usually caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can become a more serious infection known as periodontitis.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are major causes of tooth loss in adults, according to the American Dental Association. Dental infections can add up, with both your health and your wallet at stake.
What causes gingivitis and periodontitis?
Your gums actually attach to the teeth at a lower point than the gum edges that we see. This forms a small space called a sulcus. Food and plaque can get trapped in this space and cause a gum infection or gingivitis.
Plaque is a thin film of bacteria. It constantly forms on the surface of your teeth. As plaque advances, it hardens and becomes tartar. You can develop an infection when plaque extends below the gum line.
Left unchecked, gingivitis can cause the gums to separate from the teeth. This can cause injury to the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. The tooth may become loose and unstable. If infection progresses, you may ultimately lose your tooth or need a dentist to remove it.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis?
Many people aren’t aware that they have gum disease. It’s possible to have gum disease without any symptoms. However, the following can be symptoms of gum disease:
· gums that are red, tender, or swollen
· gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
· gums that have pulled away from the teeth
· loose teeth
· a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite (malocclusion)
· pus between teeth and gums
· pain when chewing
· sensitive teeth
· partial dentures that no longer fit
· foul-smelling breath that doesn’t go away after you brush your teeth
How is gum disease diagnosed?
During a dental exam, your gums will be probed with a small ruler. This probing is a way to check for inflammation. It also measures any pockets around your teeth. A normal depth is 1 to 3 millimeters. Your dentist may also order X-rays to check for bone loss.
Talk to your dentist about risk factors for gum disease as well as your symptoms. This can help diagnose your gingivitis. If gingivitis is present, you may be referred to a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum diseases.
How is gum disease treated?
You must practice proper oral hygiene to treat gingivitis. You should also cut back on any smoking, if you smoke, and manage your diabetes. Other treatments include:
· deep cleaning your teeth
· antibiotic medications
· surgery
· Cleaning teeth
There are several techniques that can be used to deep clean your teeth without surgery. They all remove plaque and tarter to prevent gum irritation:
· Scaling removes tartar from above and below the gum line.
· Root planing smooths rough spots and removes plaque and tartar from the root surface.
· Lasers may remove tartar with less pain and bleeding than scaling and root planing.
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