What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is actually the mildest form of gum disease.
What Causes Gingivitis?
Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup on your teeth. This plaque then releases acids that attack the tooth enamel, which causes decay. After 72 hours, plaque can harden into tartar, a substance that can only be removed by a dentist.
These plaque and tartar deposits irritate the gums, causing gingivitis.
What are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?
- Red Gums
- Swollen Gums
- Bleeding gums
- Sore Gums
- Mouth Sores
How is Gingivitis Treated?
Surprisingly, gingivitis affects more than 50% of the population and if left untreated it will advance to periodontitis (gum disease), causing the gums to separate from the teeth and form pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums). When the bacterial plaque enters into these pockets, the area becomes infected.
At Annapolis Dental Care, we treat gingivitis through a procedure known as Scaling and root planning. This is a special type of deep cleaning performed by the dentist or hygienist. This procedure removes plaque and tartar from below your gum line. This controls the growth of harmful bacteria and helps gums reattach firmly to the teeth. If left untreated, the damage that occurs may become so severe that surgery becomes necessary to treat the problem.
If you have any questions about Gingivitis and Oral Health, or if you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today!
Dr. Steckler’s philosophy is to give patients individualized attention and to make their experiences as comfortable as possible.
You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Source: Gingivitis: Get Serious About Sore Gums WebMD