What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a soft tissue condition. It's basically an inflammation and infection of the gum around the teeth.
What causes gingivitis?
Usually improper cleaning or not cleaning thoroughly enough causes gingivitis. Of course, we might think we brush and floss all the time, so why did we get gingivitis? The question is: are you seeing your hygienist and dentist regularly to help remove all the plaque?
Basically, plaque is a combination of saliva mixed with bacteria and food particles that forms on the tooth surface. There are specific products that can help you see the plaque and bacteria because they color it. Then, after brushing, you can see if something's left on your teeth. If so, you'd know there are areas you're missing since we are creatures of habit, doing the same thing repeatedly. The good thing is that we don't expect the same results. We want to see that we're doing good work when cleaning our teeth.
How is gingivitis diagnosed?
When you see your dentist, they can diagnose it for you. They can see whether you have inflammation or infection in the gums. You can also just look at it and see a different color. Usually, there's a little rolled gum right around the tooth, and it's different from the rest. The color might become darker—it's not as light pink as it should be—and you might notice bleeding while brushing.
We usually aren't concerned because we don't feel pain, but gingivitis is a painless condition. Don't assume you don't have gingivitis just because there's no pain. Check with a professional.
What can a dentist do to treat gingivitis?
The treatment is very simple. It's called a mechanical cleaning. Once you remove all the bacteria from the teeth and gum, everything becomes cleaner and healthier, allowing the body to restore itself. However, you need a little boost from the dentist to help clean everything out.
What can I do at home to treat gingivitis?
You can brush and floss your teeth. Floss first, then brush. You can also use mouthwash and similar products. As long as you brush and floss, that should be sufficient. If you see a little blood, it doesn't mean brush less or don't touch the teeth; it's a cry for help from your gums. You need to brush more, not less.
How long does it take to treat gingivitis with a good treatment program?
It could be as simple as 2 to 3 weeks because that's how long it takes for the gum to heal. After you get your cleaning with the hygienist and follow a good program at home by brushing and flossing regularly, in a couple of weeks you'll be without gingivitis.
When should I schedule my dental appointment if I suspect that I have gingivitis?
As soon as possible. If you have a dentist, schedule an appointment with them. If you don't and need our help, you can call us here and we will try to fit you in either the same day or, at the latest, the next day.
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