Gingivitis Specialist

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that occurs when the gum around your teeth becomes inflamed and irritated. Having this condition treated as soon as possible is important to reduce the risk of more serious problems, such as periodontitis. Your dentist will check your gums and recommend treatment for gingivitis as needed.

What are the signs of gingivitis?

When you have gingivitis, you might experience the following symptoms:

• Swelling in your gums
• Dark reddish gums
• Bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss your gums
• Foul breath
• Soreness in your gums
• Receding gums

If you are experiencing ant of these symptoms, contact your dentist to get started on proper gingivitis treatment.

Am I at risk of gingivitis?

Your risk of having gingivitis might be higher if you have certain risk factors, such as:

• Having poor dental hygiene
• Having a condition that affects your hormones, such as pregnancy
• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Being older
• Having a dry mouth
• Having low levels of vitamin C in your diet

You can discuss with your dentist for the best ways to prevent gingivitis and other oral health issues.

Why do I have gingivitis?

Gingivitis forms when you don’t take good care of your teeth with proper brushing and flossing. Improper dental care allows plaque to form on your teeth, which then turns into tartar that irritates your gums and is hard to remove. When you don’t have this tartar removed, it can increase your risk of developing periodontitis and tooth decay.

How can I prevent gingivitis?

You can reduce your risk of gingivitis by practicing good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist for routine dental cleanings. You should have these cleanings done every 6 to 12 months. Keep in mind that you can get gingivitis again after cleanings if you don’t brush and floss properly.

When do I need treatment for gingivitis?

You should see your dentist for gingivitis treatment in Bellaire if you have any symptoms of gum inflammation. You can’t remove tartar buildup on your own with brushing or flossing, which means your condition will just get worse. If you let it go untreated, you can end up with periodontitis.

How is gingivitis treated?

Your dentist at Tyson’s Dental Design Center treats gingivitis with professional dental cleaning that thoroughly removes tartar and plaque from your teeth, as well as bacteria that causes gum inflammation. This procedure is called scaling and root planing. You might also need dental restorations, such as crowns, replaced if they fit poorly and make it difficult to keep your gums and teeth clean.

If you need treatment for gingivitis, contact Tyson's Dental Design Center or schedule an appointment online.