How Do Dentists Treat Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a gum disease, which is an inflammation of the gums. It’s caused by bacterial infection and is the less severe variety and may be cured moderately easily. If left untreated, however, gingivitis can become a much more serious infection known as periodontitis.

Untreated gingivitis or the more severe gum disease are a major cause of tooth loss for adults. We look forward to helping you fight this disease and start feeling better today!

Is There More than One Type of Gingivitis?

There are two primary categories of gingival diseases.

The first is dental plaque-induced gingivitis, which is caused by plaque systemic factors, malnutrition, or medications.

Non-plaque induced gingival lesions may be caused by a virus, specific bacterium, or a fungus. Genetic factors, systemic conditions such as allergic reactions and specific illnesses, reactions to foreign bodies, or wounds may cause this type of gingivitis.

What are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

There are a number of symptoms that can indicate you may have gingivitis.

• Red, Swollen Gums: One of the first signs of gum disease is red, swollen gums. They’ll likely also be tender or painful.
• Gum Bleeding: Usually paired with the swollen gums, you’ll probably notice mild bleeding of your gums when you floss or brush your teeth.Bad Breath: Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. When this bacteria creates an infection in your mouth, you tend to have bad breath. If after you brush your teeth and that unpleasant smell returns quickly, you likely have a form of gingivitis.
• Teeth Appear Longer: When gums become infected, they recess and “pull back” making your teeth look longer than they used to.
• Tooth Sensitivity: When you have gingivitis, you experience cold sensitivity in your gums. You may also feel sensitivity to sweets or hot foods and beverages.
• Shifting or Wiggly Teeth: If your teeth feel a little loose and can be wiggled slightly, gingivitis is likely an issue.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is commonly caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque in the mouth. This plaque is often between the teeth or may be on the teeth. The plaque triggers a response from your immune system that ultimately leads to gum disease or worse complications if left untreated.

There are other potential causes of gingivitis, as well.

• Hormone Changes: During puberty, menopause, pregnancy, or the menstrual cycle, your hormones change. During these times, your gums are more sensitive, which means they are at a higher risk for inflammation, which can lead to gingivitis.
• Some Medications: Oral health can be affected by certain medications that change saliva flow or cause abnormal growth of gum tissue. Some of the medications known to do this includes dilantin and antianginal medications.
• Aging: As you age, you naturally have a higher risk for gum disease.
• Certain Diseases: Diabetes, cancer, and HIV are all linked to higher risks of gingivitis.
• Smoking: People who smoke regularly are at a higher risk for gingivitis than non-smokers.
• Genetics: Some patients have genetics that simply make them more susceptible to developing gingivitis.
• Vitamin C Deficiency: If you are deficient in Vitamin C, you are also more likely to develop gingivitis.

How is Gingivitis Diagnosed?

There are a few things that dentists do to diagnose gingivitis.

Dental History Review

If you have symptoms of gingivitis, your dentist will begin by reviewing your medical and dental history to examine your potential for gingivitis.

Examination

Your dentist will also, of course, examine your teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue for the signs of plaque build up and inflammation.

Measuring The Pocket Depth

The pocket depth of the groove between your teeth and your gums can be measured by inserting a dental probe between your tooth and the gumline. Healthy mouths will usually have a pocket depth of one to three millimeters. Anything deeper than four millimeters indicates a strong likelihood of gum disease.

Dental X-Rays

Where your dentist sees deeper pocket depth, x-rays will be taken to check for bone loss.

What Kinds of Treatment Options Are Available for Gingivitis?

If your gingivitis is caught early enough, your dentist will be able to treat your disease with noninvasive treatments.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleaning is the first step of treatment for gingivitis. During your typical checkup, your dentist will remove the plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth and gums from above and below the gumline on all of your teeth. These cleanings are not a treatment, but rather a preventative for the disease.

Root Planing and Scaling

If you have active gum disease, scaling and root planing will likely need to occur. This is a deeper professional cleaning of your teeth and gums, which is done under local anesthetic. The plaque and tartar are scraped away and rough spots on the tooth will be made smooth. Smoothing out these rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to teeth.

Antibiotics

You will also receive antibiotics in most cases to reduce or temporarily eliminate the bacteria for treatment.

Surgical Treatments

If you have more severe gingivitis may require surgical treatments. This will be determined by the damage done to teeth, bone, or gums.

Flap Surgery

This procedure lifts the gums back and tartar is removed. Irregular surfaces on bone may also be smoothed to limit areas where bacteria can grow again.

Bone Grafts

If there is damage to the bone caused by gingivitis, there may be bone grafts done. Fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone may be used to replace the bone destroyed by gum disease.

Soft Tissue Grafts

If you’ve lost gum tissue to gingivitis, soft tissue grafts may be part of the treatment of gingivitis. This procedure grafts in soft tissue from the roof of the mouth to add tissue to the affected area. They may also do something called root planing. That’s when the rough surfaces of the roots of your teeth are smoothed out. It helps the gums reattach to your tooth.

What Can I Do to Treat My Gingivitis at Home?

In partnership with the treatment you receive at your dentist’s office, there are things you should do at home to help treat your gingivitis.

• Brush your teeth after each meal
• Floss after every meal
• Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after each meal
• Use an electric toothbrush for at least two minutes as you brush multiple times daily

We are happy to recommend the best brands of toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash to use.

If you have some symptoms of gingivitis, call us today at Gardena Dental Care at (424) 295-7885 to schedule your free initial consultation and start treatment now.