
Sep
When life gets busy, routine dental care often gets relegated to the back burner. However, regular dental exams and cleanings are key to keeping your teeth and gums problem-free. Gingivitis (early gum disease) is a problem people can easily miss in its formative stage. At Positive Image Dental, Devonshire, Bermuda, we can detect this condition during a routine dental exam and provide early-stage gum disease treatment to keep it from worsening. Here’s what you should know about gum disease symptoms and treatments.
Early gum disease is called gingivitis, which can be characterized by tender or swollen gums and mild bleeding when you brush your teeth. Early gingivitis symptoms can often be reversed by taking better care of your teeth. This includes daily brushing and flossing and keeping up with routine dental cleanings.
If you ignore these symptoms or don’t take them seriously, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, advanced gum disease, which can severely damage your gums and teeth and lead to tooth loss. There’s no cure for periodontitis. However, your dentists can provide treatments to manage your symptoms and save your teeth.
The following are some early warning signs of gingivitis:
As your condition worsens to periodontitis, you may experience:
The good news is that gingivitis can be diagnosed early during a routine dental exam. This gives you a chance to nip it in the bud before it progresses into periodontitis.
If you’re showing signs of gingivitis, schedule a checkup with your dentist to diagnose your condition. Our dentists at Positive Image Dental are well-versed in treating gum disease and can recommend steps to improve your tooth and gum health.
Depending on your condition, we may suggest changes to your oral hygiene routine or schedule more frequent dental cleanings to minimize plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth – the primary causes of gum disease. Daily brushing, flossing, and biannual dental cleanings are an excellent start to reversing gingivitis symptoms.
If gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, we may recommend scaling and root planing treatment to restore tooth and gum health. Scaling gets rid of plaque and tartar that has accumulated on your teeth, above and below the gum line, where harmful bacteria breed. Root planing smooths out the rough surfaces of your tooth roots to keep bacteria from gathering there again. This gives your gums a chance to heal. You may need several SRP treatments throughout the year to manage periodontitis symptoms and restore your oral health.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, impacts millions of people and can lead to serious oral health problems if not treated. It progresses through stages, beginning with mild early symptoms that can worsen over time. The good news is that early detection and proper care can stop or even reverse gum disease.
Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, and it primarily leads to inflammation of the gums due to plaque accumulation. Patients often experience noticeable symptoms, including red and swollen gums that may bleed when they brush or floss their teeth.
Treatment for gingivitis involves improving oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily and flossing regularly. Professional dental cleanings are crucial to removing plaque and tartar that regular brushing may miss. Gingivitis is reversible with timely care, so early intervention is key.
If gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to moderate periodontitis. At this stage, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that allow harmful bacteria to enter. If this issue is not addressed promptly, it can result in increased inflammation and considerable tissue damage.
Treatment for mild periodontitis typically involves scaling and root planing. This effective deep-cleaning method removes tartar and plaque that have accumulated below the gum line. In addition to this treatment, patients must commit to establishing and maintaining a strict oral care routine to help prevent the disease from worsening over time.
Treatment for moderate to severe periodontitis may include more intensive procedures such as periodontal surgery, gum grafts, or even tooth extraction if the damage is extensive. For some patients, bone grafting may be required to regenerate lost bone.
To prevent gum disease from starting or getting worse, maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings and check-ups. If you’re at a higher risk for gum disease, your dentist may recommend additional preventive measures, such as using antimicrobial mouth rinses or having more frequent dental cleanings.
In addition, be aware of common symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, sensitivity, and persistent bad breath. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent more serious health issues later on.
To schedule a checkup for gum disease diagnosis and treatment, contact your Devonshire, Bermuda dentists from Positive Image Dental today at (441) 292-2312.