Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? Do your gums look red or swollen? Nearly 50 percent of adults over 30 have gingivitis or some form of gum disease. If you have inflamed, bleeding gums, you could be one of them.
What does this mean for you, and how can you treat early signs of periodontal disease?
As top dentists in Ballantyne Charlotte, NC, Dr. Aten and Dr. Garofalo strive to educate patients on the best way to protect their oral health. When it comes to gum disease, prevention is often the best medicine.
Here, we explain gingivitis, its causes, symptoms, home remedies, and dental treatments in the Ballantyne area.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease. It is a common yet mild form of the disease that is often characterized by irritation, redness, and swelling of the gums. The irritation may be especially prevalent on the soft tissues at the base of your teeth. Healthy gum tissue is pale pink and fits tightly against your teeth. Any changes in the appearance of your gums could be a sign of a dental problem.
Causes of Gum Disease
Poor oral health habits commonly lead to gum disease. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque builds up on the teeth and along the gum line. When plaque isn’t promptly removed, it hardens into tartar. Bacteria from the tartar spread into the gums, causing irritation and inflammation.
Gingivitis can also happen without plaque buildup. Non-plaque-induced gingivitis usually happens because of an allergic reaction, illness, or foreign body.
Your health and lifestyle choices can raise your risk of developing gingivitis and gum disease. These risk factors for gum disease include:
- Hormonal changes
- Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV
- Medications that reduce saliva production
- Smoking
- Age
- Genetics
Gingivitis Symptoms
As noted above, normal, healthy gum tissue is pale pink and fits tightly to the teeth. Common signs or symptoms of gingivitis include the following:
- Sensitive gums
- Swollen or inflamed gums
- Red or dark pink gum tissue
- Bleeding gums or gums that bleed easily, especially when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath
- Receding gum line
Is Gingivitis Reversible?
Yes! With prompt dental treatment and good oral hygiene, gingivitis is completely reversible.
During treatment, our dentist removes the plaque and tartar that are irritating the gums. This is done through a teeth cleaning and scaling procedure. Following the deep cleaning, you can keep your teeth clean with proper brushing and flossing habits to prevent tartar buildup.
How Do You Get Rid of Gingivitis?
Gingivitis should be taken seriously and treated promptly to avoid negative consequences.
Home Remedies
Home remedies are often an inexpensive, easy way to reduce gum irritation and treat gingivitis. If you begin treatment at the earliest stage, you may be able to clear gingivitis on your own. The goal is to treat dental plaque before it hardens into tartar.
Here are a few at-home treatments to consider.
- Prevent or avoid gum disease by following good oral hygiene habits and visiting your dentist regularly.
- Rinse with a salt water solution. Salt is a natural disinfectant that allows your body to heal itself.
- Use a natural mouth rinse, such as lemongrass oil, aloe vera, or tea tree oil mouthwash. Remember, you should never swallow mouthwash. Be sure to swish it around your mouth and then spit the mixture out.
- Try oil pulling. This technique involves swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 20-30 minutes to reduce plaque and bacteria and improve oral health.
It is always best to consult your dentist before trying a new home remedy to ensure it is safe.
Gingivitis Treatment in Ballantyne Charlotte, NC
If you have tooth pain, severe bleeding gums, or really bad breath, it is best to consult your dentist early. You may need an advanced dental cleaning, antibiotic, or a prescription-strength mouthwash to treat your gum disease.
With prompt treatment, gingivitis is reversible. You can get help before it develops into more serious forms of gum disease. Your dentist may recommend the following treatments:
- Deep dental cleaning – Often called a scaling and root planing procedure, this treatment uses a laser or ultrasonic device to remove tartar and bacteria from the teeth and beneath the gums. The root surfaces are smoothed to discourage future tartar buildup and allow for proper healing.
- Restorative dentistry – Misaligned teeth and poorly fitting dental restorations may irritate your gums or make it difficult to remove plaque through routine oral care practices. If your teeth or dental restorations contribute to your gum disease, your dentist may advise treating the underlying issue. You may consider orthodontics to align your teeth for better oral care or replacing your restorations to avoid further gum irritation.
- Ongoing oral hygiene – Gingivitis usually clears following a thorough dental cleaning, but you must continue good habits at home. Be sure to keep your routine checkups and dental cleanings with your dentist for ongoing care.
What Happens if Gingivitis Goes Untreated?
Both types of gingivitis can progress into more severe forms of gum disease if left untreated. The next phase of gum disease is periodontitis. In this more severe stage, bacteria spread, causing pockets in the gums as they pull away from the teeth. Tooth and bone loss can happen without prompt treatment.
Find Gum Disease Treatment in Ballantyne Charlotte
Stay on top of your oral health with your Ballantyne dentists!
At Aten & Garofalo Dentistry, our team strives to educate patients on proper oral health habits. If you need gum disease treatment in Ballantyne Charlotte, NC, we will treat the underlying cause and relieve your symptoms. We will also offer tips and guidance on the proper toothbrush and mouthwash to use and how to effectively clean your teeth.
Let us help you take control of your oral health. Book an appointment with Aten & Garofalo today!
