Your oral health matters just as much as your overall health. In fact, dental health is actually a key factor in your general well-being, as the mouth acts as a sort of entrance to the rest of your body. So when an infection forms in your smile, it may also affect other areas of your body. Gum disease is one of the most common issues that affects oral health. This infection starts at your gum line, but can quickly spread around your mouth, becoming more severe over time. In its early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis. If caught early enough, we can actually reverse gingivitis before it advances into a serious condition! For help reversing gingivitis, visit Dr. Zirakian in East Longmeadow, MA, for a free initial consultation.
Understanding Gum Disease
Routinely brushing and flossing helps keep your smile clear of bacteria and infection. However, without proper care, a sticky film called plaque will build up on your teeth. This plaque eventually hardens into tartar, releasing toxins that inflame your gum tissue.
While the infection starts at the gum line, it will eventually spread throughout your mouth. Gum disease progresses in stages, each worse than the last. These stages include:
Gingivitis: When the infection first begins, it’s called gingivitis. This stage is difficult to notice, as it causes no permanent damage and typically no pain. When you have gingivitis, your gums may be red or swollen, and bleed easily during brushing. In some cases, your breath may even take on an odor that brushing can’t fix.- Early periodontitis: Without treatment, gingivitis becomes periodontitis, which is a more serious threat to your oral health. Early periodontitis occurs when bacteria begin to reach below your gums, forming shallow pockets between your gums and teeth. The bacteria then gather in these pockets, inflaming your soft tissue and potentially causing deterioration of your gums or bone.
- Moderate periodontitis: As deeper pockets develop, your gums will recede, and your teeth will become sensitive and exposed. At this stage, you may notice bone loss and experience shifting or loose teeth.
- Advanced periodontitis: The most severe stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis, which causes severe gum and bone loss. Pain, swelling, and pus will affect your gums, and teeth may become looser and require extraction.
Once your infection progresses to advanced periodontitis, the damage is permanent. Any gum or bone tissue lost to infection will not grow back, requiring extensive restorative procedures. Fortunately, reversing gingivitis before it progresses is possible with prompt care and timely intervention!
Reversing Gingivitis in East Longmeadow, MA
To reverse the effects of gingivitis, you need to take prompt action.
At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we offer free initial consultations to assess your problem and find the right solution. For gingivitis treatment, we’ll perform a professional dental cleaning that removes harmful bacteria from your mouth and scrapes plaque and tartar from your enamel.
Then, at home, be sure to keep up with your routine dental care!
Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. If possible, we recommend using an electric toothbrush that does most of the work for you, protecting your smile from aggressive brushing.
Then floss regularly to remove any and all food particles between your teeth. When left there, food will accumulate bacteria, increasing your risk of infection. But by flossing, you help keep your smile clear and protect your gum health in the long run.
Finally, be sure to attend routine dental visits.
Twice a year, schedule a dental cleaning with us at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center. There, we will both clean your smile and watch for signs of early infection to stop the spread of infection before it starts.
The combination of at-home care and professional treatment is the key to reversing gingivitis. If you think you may be experiencing early signs of gum disease, be sure to contact us as soon as possible to receive prompt and effective treatment.
Reversing Gingivitis Made Possible With Prompt Treatment
Taking care of your oral health should be a priority. When early signs of gum disease appear, it’s important to seek treatment right away! Reversing gingivitis is only possible with prompt treatment, as waiting allows the infection to progress. Once gingivitis becomes periodontitis, it will cause permanent damage that we can’t reverse.
Be sure to take good care of your smile and attend your routine checkups. If you have gingivitis, we will help you reverse the effects and clear your smile of infection. Book a free initial consultation today to learn more about caring for your smile.
Follow East Longmeadow Family Dental Center on Facebook for other dental care tips!
