Do your gums bleed after brushing your teeth? Or is your gum tissue more swollen than usual? You may be suffering from gingivitis! According to the CDC, this early form of gum disease affects nearly half of all adults in the U.S. over 30. And while the effects of gingivitis are reversible, the later stages of gum disease are not. Fortunately, with gingivitis treatment, you can stop the spread of infection before it progresses! If you think you’re experiencing the early signs of gum disease, book a free consultation at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center as soon as possible!
Signs of Gingivitis
The earliest form of gum disease is gingivitis.
By catching symptoms early on, we can more effectively treat your infection before it spreads! Without early intervention, your gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, or the later stage of gum disease that causes irreversible damage.
The symptoms of gingivitis include:
Bleeding gums: While occasional gum bleeding after brushing your teeth too hard is normal, it should not be persistent. If your gums bleed frequently after brushing your teeth, that is likely a sign that something more serious is going on.- Swollen or red gums: Gums that are red, purple, or swollen are usually infected. As the bacteria spread across your gum line, they cause issues like inflammation and sensitivity that affect your gum tissue.
- Bad breath/taste: If you have perpetual bad breath/ a bad taste in your mouth, you may be experiencing an infection. When bacteria gather on your gums, they often produce a foul-smelling odor that affects your breath.
After experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact East Longmeadow Family Dental Center as soon as possible. With our effective gingivitis treatment, we can stop the spread of infection before it becomes more dangerous to your oral health.
Gingivitis Treatment at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center
Gingivitis treatment may vary depending on your situational needs. In many cases, we begin with regular deep cleanings to help combat the infection.
Rather than visiting the dentist every 6 months, we may recommend visiting the dentist’s office more frequently. During these appointments, we will gently scrape off plaque and tartar from your teeth and carefully clean the gums to remove bacteria.
In some cases, we may perform scaling and root planing!
This treatment involves reaching below your gum line to remove all signs of infection. We’re able to scrape off the plaque and tartar that your toothbrush can’t reach, preventing the spread of bacteria.
Additionally, we will smooth the roots underneath your gums in a process known as root planing. This procedure not only helps prevent bacteria from reinfecting, but it also helps your gums reattach to your root, from where they’ve pulled away.
Most importantly, gingivitis treatment begins at home. Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Then, be sure to floss gently between your teeth to remove any debris and protect from infection.
By maintaining your oral hygiene routine, you can stop gum disease in its tracks.
Beyond Gingivitis Treatment
In some cases, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis before you catch it. Unfortunately, this is relatively common, as the symptoms of gingivitis can be difficult to detect.
While there is no reversing the effects of periodontitis, we can still prevent the infection from spreading any further! Without prompt treatment, you may risk losing your teeth.
For advanced gum disease, we may prescribe you antibiotics to combat your infection. Whether in gel form or in small chips/microspheres that release the medication over time, these medications help stop the bacteria in your mouth from spreading,
Additionally, we may need to use oral surgical techniques to treat your periodontitis. With our careful and gentle surgical methods, we reduce the pockets between your gums and teeth, closing off vulnerable spaces. After extensive bone or gum loss, we often use bone/gum grafting material to rebuild the lost structures of your mouth.
At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we provide effective symptom management with comprehensive gum disease treatments.
Keep Your Smile Healthy With Gingivitis Treatment!
If you’re experiencing the early signs of gum disease, don’t hesitate! Gingivitis requires prompt treatment and rigorous care to stop the spread of infection before it advances to periodontitis. With our effective treatments and a rigorous oral hygiene routine, we can get your gum health back on track!
Book a free consultation today to find out if you’re experiencing gum disease.
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