Gingivitis is a common form of early gum disease that results when oral bacteria cause inflammation in your gums.
If caught early and treated thoroughly by a dental hygienist, it can be halted and reversed.
If not, it can advance into a more severe gum disease called periodontitis, which can cause bone loss and ultimately one or more teeth.
Treatment for gingivitis includes medicated cleanings for your teeth after assessing the degree of your gingivitis and at what stage it is at.
If you suspect and symptoms of gingivitis, you can ask Drs. Bommarito, Cascioli, and Zariczniak for assistance.
Gingivitis: Early Gum Disease
Your mouth harbors large amounts of bacteria which, together with sugar, form plaque.
This sticky substance can be removed to a certain degree with conventional brushing, but if left untreated it can develop into tartar and calculus, which are stone-like deposits of food on teeth.
This can cause inflammation and pain in the gums, which leads to bleeding, or early gingivitis. Further progression can lead to loosening of teeth, sensitivity in teeth, and bad breath.
The risk is higher in smokers, weakened immune systems, and diabetics.
Medicated Cleaning
Brushing alone only removes a superficial layer of tartar and calculus.
As such, hygienists, who are specially trained in removing calculus and treating gingivitis, are the only ones that can fully restore health to your gums by scaling and root planning your teeth.
Scaling refers to the scraping of plaque and tartar from your teeth, above and below the gums where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Root planning involves smoothing the rough surfaces on your tooth surface that attracts tartar buildup.
Lasers are used in conjunction to help make the procedure painless, precise, and effective.
Assessment and Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have gingivitis, contact our Hamilton dental office to make an appointment.
We will inquire about your risk factors and assess your teeth and mouth for signs of red and swollen gums.
We will also measure the pocket depths around your teeth to determine the severity of the inflammation.
