Do You Know What Gingivitis Looks Like?

How is your oral health right now? If you can’t answer that question, it’s probably because you haven’t seen your dentist in a while. You should be making biannual appointments for checkups and cleanings to prevent bacteria from building up on your teeth and gums. These appointments also give you peace of mind, because you’ll know what the state of your oral health is. If you don’t attend an appointment for years, you may develop a condition like gingivitis. This initial stage of gum disease can be painful and lead to serious consequences down the road. Are your gums healthy? Do you know what gingivitis looks like?

Here Are the Common Signs of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is caused by the same factors that would give you cavities. Bacteria can build up around and beneath your gum line. When you have an infection in this area, it is most often characterized by inflammation. Over time, your gums will become red and swollen. They’ll probably start to hurt as well. If you notice pockets of red on your gums, you should address the condition as soon as possible. That means contacting your dentist and scheduling an appointment for treatment.

What You Can Do to Treat and Prevent Gingivitis

If you notice the signs of gum disease, reach out to your dentist as soon as possible to try to schedule an appointment. Your dentist may be able to work you in ahead of schedule due to the nature of the issue. Your dentist will perform a deep cleaning, a process by which they carefully access the area beneath your gums and clean out all of the infection and bacteria. They’ll sanitize the area and smooth out the roots of your tooth so that the  area can heal. When it comes to preventing gingivitis, you should take many of the same steps that you do to clean your teeth. Be sure to floss, and brush around the gum line, directing your strokes away from the gums.

Why Treating Your Gingivitis Is so Important

Gingivitis can create discomfort and an unsightly appearance to your gums. That’s reason enough to treat the condition, but it’s not the only reason. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, a condition that can get much worse over time. If you don’t treat your gingivitis, it can develop into periodontitis, a condition that will cause your jawbone to deteriorate. This condition is irreversible, and as it causes your jawbone to lose mass, your teeth may eventually loosen and fall out. That’s why you need to treat gum disease quickly.

Schedule a Deep Cleaning at Greenhaven Family Dental

If you notice any of the signs of gum disease, be sure to schedule a dentist appointment right away. You should also make sure to schedule your biannual checkups and cleanings. At Greenhaven Family Dental, we offer comprehensive teeth cleaning, and we look out for problems that may develop in the future. Schedule a dentist appointment at Greenhaven Family Dental in Baxter, MN by calling our office at 218-454-0523.