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Dr. Alan Slootsky D.M.D, M.A.G.D., F.A.C.D. Restorative Dentistry / Oral Health December 20, 2015 |
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. The main symptoms include red, sore gums that occasionally bleed when brushing the teeth. Almost everybody will get gingivitis at some point in their lives. Because most of the symptoms are mild, they are often overlooked. Sore gums are not something that should be ignored. Healthy gums and teeth can help improve periodontitis. This is a severe form of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. The good thing about gingivitis is that it can be easily reversed with proper oral health.
Causes
Brushing, flossing and using mouth rinse remove plaque (sticky film of bacteria) and other particles from the 
teeth. If are not doing these things regularly, then the plaque is left on the teeth and it will cause damage. Plaque will release acids that attack the tooth enamel, which causes tooth decay. If left on the teeth for a few days, the plaque can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar gets so hard that it can only be removed by a dentist. Tartar tends to form along the gum line, making it difficult to clean the teeth and gums properly. The tartar and plaque particles will start to irritate and inflame the gums, leading to gingivitis.
Can Gingivitis Lead to other Dental Problems?
It used to be thought that if gingivitis was left untreated it would always develop into periodontitis. But we now know that that is not necessarily the truth. A person can develop sever gum disease based on how they are taking care of the teeth and how their body responds to the buildup of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. Periodontitis can form due to many different factors and some of the key factors are listed below:
- Bacteria – There are over 400 species of bacteria living in the mouth, but only about 15 of these can cause severe gum disease.
- Genetics – About 30% of people can be genetically predisposed to develop gum diseases.
- Uncontrolled diabetes – Diabetes can increase the risk of gum disease, because those that have diabetes are more susceptible to infections. Gum disease also makes it harder to control diabetes.
- Smoking – Smoking tends to kill the healthy bacteria in the mouth, which allows the bad bacteria to take over. Research has shown that smoking can be the cause of almost 75% of all periodontal disease cases.
Because there is such a wide variety of reasons why one might develop a severe case of periodontal disease, it is extremely important that you see your dentist if you start to notice any signs of gum irritation.
Symptoms and Prevention
The symptoms for gingivitis are sometimes very mild that they are overlooked by most people. Most don’t even know they have gingivitis. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Red, swollen or purplish gums. Healthy gums will normally appear pink and are firm.
- Bleeding gums – When brushing the teeth you may notice blood when you spit out your toothpaste.
- Sore gums are usually tender to the touch.
- Mouth sores
If you are starting to see signs of gingivitis, look at how you are taking care of your teeth. If you stop flossing for a few days, plaque can start to take over. Make sure that you are flossing daily when you brush your teeth. Try using mouth rinses that help to reduce gingivitis, usually ones that are antimicrobial. Make sure you are visiting your dentist at least every six months for a professional cleaning. They will be able to remove any plaque or tartar that has accumulated. After a cleaning, gingivitis should improve within a week, as long as you continue to keep up with proper dental care. If you have any questions about how you should be taking care of the teeth, just ask your dentist. They will be able to help you make sure your teeth stay healthy.
Along with cleaning the teeth every day and visiting the dentist, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will also help reduce the chances of getting gingivitis. Try eating healthy foods and limit sweets and junk food. Bacteria that live in the mouth feed on sugars and starches. When bacteria feed, they release acids that attack the tooth enamel, causing tooth decay. Candies and unhealthy foods tend to have a lot of sugar and starch, so it is best to stay away from them. Quit smoking to keep the teeth healthy. Smoking and using smokeless tobacco increase the risk of severe gum disease.
Gingivitis can come back at any time if you forget to take good care of your teeth. Maintaining proper oral health will help keep dental problems away.
For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000. Dr. Alan Slootsky is a dentist in Pompano Beach, Florida dedicated to bringing patients state-of-the-art dental care. As a cosmetic, family andrestorative dentist, he helps patients enjoy a natural and healthy smile. Dr. Slootsky has integrated a friendly, hands-on gentle approach with highly accurate and patient-sensitive technologies and tools to both identify and resolve problems in a timely and efficient manner. We know most people don’t like to visit the dentist. That’s why we make every effort to make your experience both as effective and as pleasant as possible.
Image: By nerdture [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons