Gingivitis

What causes gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the inflammation of your gums as a result of plaque buildup and bacteria on your teeth. Plaque is the naturally occurring sticky film that adheres to your teeth and gums when you don’t brush often enough to remove food particles. Gingivitis can make your gums puffy and bleed. In addition to plaque buildup, other factors can lead to gingivitis, such as:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Stress
• Poor nutrition
• Certain medications
• Chronic diseases like diabetes
• Poor oral hygiene
• Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
• Crooked teeth that are hard to brush between
• Genetic factors
• Ill-fitting dental restorations
• Health conditions that affect your immune system like HIV or leukemia

Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease and your gums can separate from your teeth. As the infection progresses, you can lose permanent teeth.

What are the symptoms of gingivitis?

Generally, if you have the early stages of gingivitis, you experience some of the following symptoms:

• Swollen, tender, puffy, red gums
• Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing
• Loose teeth
• Pain and sensitivity in your teeth
• Bad breath
• Malocclusion, a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

If you have any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, it’s a good idea to make an appointment so an expert at Scott Young, DDS can assess your gingivitis and create an effective treatment plan to prevent it from causing irreversible damage.

How do you treat gingivitis?

Depending on your symptoms and lifestyle, you can effectively treat gingivitis through proper oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing your teeth, and cutting back on smoking, if that’s a factor. Additionally, Dr. Young and his team provide deep cleanings that include scaling to remove tartar and plaque from above and below your gumline and root planing to smooth rough spots and remove plaque buildup from the roots of your teeth. Dr. Young may also prescribe antiseptic mouthwash and oral antibiotics to treat persistent gum inflammation.

You can prevent gingivitis from recurring or getting worse through consistent at-home brushing and flossing, a diet of healthy foods, and regular visits to your dentist for cleanings.

If you have gingivitis symptoms, call Scott Young, DDS, the leading dental office in The Woodlands, for an appointment. You can also schedule your visit using the online booking feature.

Visit our Best Woodlands Dentist, Dr. Young, and click here to book an appointment.

Dr. Young is a cosmetic and general dentist located in the Woodlands, Texas area. Call to book your appointment today.