Symptoms of Gingivitis
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a relatively common and perfectly treatable oral health condition. Gingivitis at its core is characterised by red, swollen and puffy gums which may bleed at the slightest provocation. While gingivitis can be easily treated by a local dentist, it can just as easily develop into a more-serious condition called periodontitis and even cause tooth loss. It’s important to check the list of symptoms of gingivitis below if you are experiencing regularly sore or bleeding gums.
How Can Gingivitis Develop?
Gingivitis usually stems from poor oral hygiene. Lack of frequent brushing and flossing can cause decaying food particles to calcify into plaque which infects the gums and makes them red, swollen and puffy. This condition can result in bleeding gums during consumption of food or during brushing. Good oral health habits like brushing and flossing twice per day and checking-in regularly with a local dentist can significantly reduce the chance you can develop gingivitis.
Symptoms of Gingivitis
We have mentioned above that four of the most common symptoms of an underlying gingivitis condition are: red, swollen or puffy gums and bleeding while eating or brushing. There are, however, a plethora of other symptoms which can indicate the presence of gingivitis and the need for a dental check-in. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Dusky red or dark red gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Tender gums
If you are experiencing any of these on a frequent basis, the best idea is to consult a local dentist. A dentist can prescribe medication and recommend an oral health routine that can reduce the severity of the problem quickly.
How Is Gingivitis Usually Treated?
Your dentist will usually recommend the following take-home treatments if they diagnose you with gingivitis:
- Brush your teeth twice a day or, better yet, after every meal or snack.
- Use a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three to four months.
- Consider using an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective at removing plaque and tartar.
- Floss daily.
- Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth.
- Get regular professional dental cleanings on a schedule recommended by your dentist.
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.
The Risks Of Untreated Gingivitis
If gingivitis is left untreated it will probably develop into the more-severe periodontitis. This condition can become so bad it causes teeth to fall out. You want a mouth filled with a beautiful smile, not holes, so book an appointment with a local dentist today if you want to remedy your poor oral hygiene.
Book an Appointment at Big Smiles Dental Today
Treating gingivitis is absolutely essential for oral health. If you have any questions around what you think might be gingivitis, or if you are due for a check-up, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment at Big Smiles Dental today.