Understanding Gingivitis
Hello, my name is Dr. Assad, and I'm the owner and dentist here at MA Dental in Riverside. I'm here to answer some questions you may have about gingivitis.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a type of gum disease. Whether it's early-stage gum disease, moderate, or advanced, anything that involves inflammation in the gums is generally considered gingivitis.
How is gingivitis related to periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the first step, where the gums become inflamed. A patient may be trying to maintain oral care at home, but there may still be bleeding spots here and there. The spaces between the gums and the teeth are called pockets. There may also be some gum soreness, especially in patients who only get cleanings once a year. If this is left untreated and you do not see your dentist regularly, it can progress to a more advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis, which involves the gum and bone.
What does gingivitis look like in the early stages?
In the early stages, you may see a little bit of tartar or calculus present, along with slightly inflamed and irritated tissue. Some people may feel pain that seems to move from the left to the right. There may be a little bleeding and possibly a slight bad odor present. That is generally what you can expect with the early phases of gingivitis.
How do we treat gingivitis, and is it curable?
We treat gingivitis by first making sure you come to your dentist on a regular basis so it can be diagnosed and monitored while it is still in the early stage. Then we determine how often you need cleanings. Many people come every six months, some come four times a year, or every three months, and some only need to come once a year. That depends on your genetics and definitely your oral hygiene at home.
Is gingivitis curable? To a certain extent, yes, because there usually is not a lot of bone loss, mobility, or irreversible damage at that stage. As long as you come in and stay maintained with your dentist, you can remain stable. But if your genetics work against you, your oral hygiene is lacking, or you skip your dental appointments, it can advance quickly, and in severe cases, you can lose teeth.
What do I do at home to get rid of gingivitis?
The answer is pretty simple: good oral hygiene. Make sure you do not skip a night of brushing and flossing. Nighttime is super important, and morning is important too. A lot of people are under the impression that it is not as important to brush and floss at night as it is in the morning, but it is actually very important because bacteria will sit on your teeth overnight.
It is especially important if you have a family history of early tooth loss. Keep up with your dentist and make sure you do not skip your cleaning appointments.
Are there specific dental products like mouthwashes or toothpaste to help with gingivitis?
The answer is yes. I like to approach this in stages. First, I like natural remedies or gentle toothpaste options on the market, like Sensodyne. Sensodyne is a great toothpaste and is very gentle. Stay away from abrasive toothpaste, especially whitening or bleaching toothpaste. If those get on your gums and have a strong peroxide effect, they can burn your gums.
As far as mouthwashes, I do not like anything with alcohol in it because it can dry out your mouth, and if you have blisters or sores, it can make things worse. Warm water and salt are great. Hydrogen peroxide rinses once a week may not be a bad idea. If a patient needs prescription toothpaste or mouthwash, that would be the next step if simpler remedies are not working.
Is gingivitis contagious?
The answer is absolutely yes. It can be transferred through kissing or by using the same toothbrush. You must be careful, especially when kissing a baby. Some people may even share toothbrushes, which is not a good idea. Sharing floss is also not a great idea. The bacteria can live in those areas, so it is best not to do that.
Is gingivitis common?
I think, and please do not quote me on this, but I honestly think most human beings deal with some level of gingivitis that needs to be controlled. It is like owning a car: you need to maintain it. Except with your mouth, you only have one set of teeth, so it is super important to keep up with it.
It takes effort to know how to properly brush and floss. Even I struggle every day. My kids struggle every day. My amazing patients struggle every day. It is an ongoing habit. It is a lifestyle. It is not something you do only when you remember. It is very important to keep up; otherwise, it gets worse, and it can happen pretty quickly.
I often see patients who come every four months and are very well maintained, but then something major happens in their lives. They get into a car accident, they forget about their dental appointments, or maybe they move. Then we do not see them until the next year or even later, and now we are starting from a completely different place. Please keep up with your dental health. It is not replaceable. I still think having teeth is better than not having teeth. Again, it is super important to keep up with your gingivitis, your gum health, and your overall dental visits.
At MA Dental, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (951) 467-4399 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.
How do I know if I have gingivitis?
There are many signs and symptoms of gingivitis, including bad breath, bleeding, itchy gums, and a very uncomfortable feeling. This is when you know you need to seek treatment.
What are the common causes for gingivitis?
The answer is quite simple. I always start with oral hygiene at home, follow-ups at the dentist, and often it's also genetics.
What are the problems that gingivitis can cause if it's left untreated?
In early stages, the gums will start to become inflamed and eventually recede. Teeth may become loose, forcing the patient to consider dentures. It's not an easy thing to deal with. Additionally, it can cause various health issues related to the heart, Alzheimer's, low birth weights, and pregnancy issues. So, there are quite a lot of problems that it can cause if it goes undetected and untreated.
What are the treatment options for gingivitis?
At our practice in MA Dental, the first thing we do is determine which level the patient is at, whether it's level one gingivitis or a more advanced level of periodontitis. We inform the patients of their condition and tailor the treatment plan accordingly.
Options might include a simple cleaning or a cleaning with laser if there's gum swelling and bleeding. In more advanced cases, we perform a deep cleaning with laser treatment, and in final stages, sometimes we refer to a specialist.
How long does it take to treat gingivitis?
This is a tough question, but the simplest answer is that it's an ongoing treatment. It's like having a very resilient trait or disease, and we treat it as such. It requires a lot of maintenance and visits to the dentist, depending on the patient's history or where they stand in the process. It's ongoing, and the more you visit the dental office, the healthier you become, and the easier your maintenance appointments will be.
How do we schedule the next step for an exam?
It's quite simple. You can call us at (951) 467-4399, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!