What Is Gingivitis, and How Is It Treated?

Are you familiar with Gingivitis? You may be surprised, but around 50% of American adults suffer from this periodontal disease.

Many may not understand how severe periodontal disease is, or they may think it is nothing more than bad dental hygiene.

This condition can lead to a breakdown of the gum tissue and expose the sensitive root structures of teeth wearing them down to stubs. If you notice that your gums are swollen, and bleeding more often than normal, there is a possibility you have gingivitis.

Read on to learn more about what is gingivitis and how to treat it.

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a common and mild type of gum disease that is identified by inflammation of the gums. It is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and if it is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar.

The Symptoms of Gingivitis

Gingivitis causes your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed. If you have gingivitis, your gums may be tender when you brush your teeth.

Plaque irritates the gums, making them red and more likely to bleed. You may also have bad breath.

The Causes of Gingivitis

Bacteria in the mouth mix with mucus and other debris to form a sticky plaque on teeth. If plaque is not removed, it turns into tartar. Tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of oral health disease.

Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Neglect of treatment may cause periodontitis, a more serious type of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss and other dental health problems.

The Treatment of Gingivitis

The first step in treatment is to remove the plaque and tartar with professional cleaning. This involves scaling, which is the process of removing tartar from above and below the gum line.

Scaling helps to remove the irritants that are causing the inflammation and bleeding of the gum. Also, root-planing, which is a deep cleaning of the teeth, may be necessary.

Treatment of gingivitis is reversible with proper dental care that involves oral hygiene at home. This treatment includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily.

Gingivitis Prevention

Prevention is the best way to avoid gingivitis. See your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. The dentist may also recommend a special toothpaste or mouthwash to help control the plaque.

You should also quit smoking. Smoking can increase your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.

You can avoid gingivitis with these prevention tips. By doing so, you can reap the benefits of dental cleanings.

Know More About What Is Gingivitis

So, what is gingivitis and what can you do about it? If you have any symptoms of gingivitis, it is important to see a dentist right away.

Gingivitis is a common and treatable condition. But if you do not treat gingivitis right away, it can lead to more serious problems.

For more informative articles on health and medicine, please check out our blog today. We publish many health-related articles like this every day.