Conditions affecting your teeth can be quite a sensitive topic to discuss. This is because how you smile affects how you look and feel about yourself. Bad breath may make you unable to comfortably communicate with others as you are afraid of how they may view you. This may negatively affect how productive you are as you cannot communicate effectively. If you are going through Midtown gingivitis, continue reading the article to learn about the condition and possible treatment plans.
What is Gingivitis?
This is a typical gum disease characterized by redness, irritation, and inflammation of the gingiva. Gingivitis should be taken seriously and requires immediate medical attention. This may lead to much more severe gum diseases like periodontitis or eventual tooth loss.
Gingivitis is typically caused by poor oral hygiene. The condition can be prevented and reversed through habits like flossing daily, brushing at least twice daily, and getting regular dental checkups.
Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis
Healthy gums are usually pale pink, firm, and tightly fitted around your teeth. Symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Dark red or dusky red gums
- Puffy or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Gums which bleed easily when flossing or brushing
- Tender gums
- Receding gums
Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis is caused by plaque that forms on your teeth due to poor oral hygiene causing gum inflammation. This is how plaque results in gingivitis:
- Plaque forms on your teeth – Plaque is a sticky, invisible film made up of bacteria that forms when sugars and starches in your food contact bacteria found in the mouth. Plaque needs to be removed daily as it forms quickly.
- Plaque turns into tartar – The plaque that remains on your teeth may harden below your gum line to form tartar that collects bacteria. Tartar irritates the gum line, creating a protective shield for bacteria and making plaque hard to remove. Tartar is only removed by a dentist.
- Gingiva becomes swollen – The more time tartar and plaque stay on your teeth, the more they disturb the gingival around the base of your teeth resulting in swelling. Dental carries may form with your gums swelling and bleeding easily—untreated gingivitis results in periodontitis and ultimately tooth loss.
Certain factors increase your chances of contracting gingivitis which include:
- Chewing or smoking tobacco
- Poor nutrition, such as vitamin C deficiency
- Old age
- Poor oral care habits
- Certain medications like phenytoin for epileptic seizures and some calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure and related conditions
- Medical conditions like certain fungal and viral infections
- Hormonal changes like those in pregnancies, menstrual cycles, or using birth control pills
Diagnosis of gingivitis is through:
- Review your medical and dental history
- Examining your gums, teeth, mouth, and tongue
- Measuring the pocket depth of space between your teeth and gums
- Dental X-rays
Treatment for gingivitis involves:
- Professional dental cleaning
- Ongoing regular care
- Dental restoration, if necessary
Most dental issues can be avoided by maintaining proper dental habits and regular visits to your dentists. Even after treatment, maintaining these habits is crucial to preventing the reoccurrence of these conditions. Call our offices in Midtown, NY, to get more information.
