We all have heard the term gingivitis. If you are not completely familiar with the term, gingivitis is gum disease. Whether you have gum disease or not you should understand how it appears and should understand it’s significance. Gingivitis can have enormous implications if left untreated.
What Does Gingivitis Look Like?
Gingivitis can have different appearances. The beginning stages of gingivitis can appear as redness of the gums just adjacent to where it meets the tooth. This is inflammation caused by the body’s response to the current environment of the teeth and gums. Plaque accumulation will lead to this response. As gingivitis progresses you may see bleeding of the gums during brushing, using toothpicks, or even eating some hard foods.
What are the Implications of Ignoring Gingivitis?
If gingivitis is left untreated it can eventually progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is gum disease that has begun to destroy the tissues that anchor the teeth into the bone and eventually the bone. Much of this is irreversible. You may see mobility of the teeth at this level. Patients with periodontitis often will have teeth with hopeless prognoses and will lose the teeth.
How Can I Prevent This?
Plaque accumulation leads eventually to calculus accumulation. Calculus is essentially calcified plaque. This buildup is not met by the body under friendly terms. This leads to a chronic inflammatory response. Your first line of defense against gingivitis is a great oral health maintenance program. Brushing and flossing is essential as is visits to the dentist. Your dentist partnering with your hygienist can diagnose gingivitis, provide a thorough cleaning to eliminate the causative factors, instruct you on proper brushing techniques and diet, and monitor your positive progress on a schedule that is determined by your risk levels.
Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry is a dental practice located in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. We are not only dedicated to providing excellent dental care to our patient but also committed to educating the public about their oral health. If you would like to read more about oral health feel free to read our past blog segments. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation to find out if you are at risk for gingivitis, we welcome your calls at (904) 285-7711 or contact us online.