With a little preparation, you can make sure that you get much more from your next trip to the dentist. Your local dentist doesn't just check on the health of your teeth, they can also offer many other treatments. This website is designed to bring up the best info possible about the range of treatments a dental professional can offer you. We will be looking at dentures, tartar removal, tooth replacement and much more. While no one who contributes to this site is a trained dentist, everyone is extremely interested in researching and writing about this topic. Thank you for checking out this site.
Did you know that you may have pearly white teeth and a Hollywood smile but may still have signs of a serious gum condition such as gingivitis? How is this possible, and what should you do to take care of it?
Risks of Gum Disease
Many people think that gingivitis is a gum disease that can only occur when symptoms are very evident and where the patient has not taken care of their dentition. Certainly, a lack of care can cause gingivitis or even periodontitis, but sometimes issues are localised and not generalised.
The typical symptoms of gingivitis are tender gums, puffiness or swelling, and a dark red appearance where the gums connect to the teeth. A patient may notice bleeding when they floss or brush, and in some cases, the condition may cause bad breath.
How Gingivitis Occurs
Gingivitis can occur if plaque is allowed to form on the surface and on the edges of the teeth. It's a sticky but invisible film made up of bacteria and can be exacerbated by a sugary or starchy diet. The plaque needs to be removed by brushing and flossing, but where the patient may not be as careful as they should, some of the plaque may turn into tartar. This is also called calculus and can quickly harden below the gum line, attracting even more bacteria to that area. The tartar may lead to significant irritation below that gum line, inflammation and decay. The teeth can be affected, but the gums may also start to recede, with periodontitis a likely outcome.
Growing Issues
It's not always easy to floss and brush effectively, and sometimes, a patient may pay less attention than they should. They may also find it more challenging if they suffer from "dry mouth" or have a natural vitamin C deficiency. These additional issues could lead to localised outbreaks of gingivitis, especially in parts of the mouth that are not always in plain sight.
What to Do Next
If you've been noticing some discomfort in certain parts of your mouth, even though you believe that you are practising good oral hygiene, talk to your dentist as soon as possible. You may have a certain amount of gingivitis, and they may need to schedule a full cleaning session or some additional attention. In the meantime, make sure that your vitamin levels are correct, try to deal with your dry mouth issues, or cut down on other risk factors such as smoking.
Share10 May 2022
