What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, often caused by bacterial plaque buildup around your teeth and gumline.
When you're not brushing or flossing regularly or thoroughly, plaque can accumulate and irritate your gums. This can lead to inflammation, bleeding when brushing or flossing, and sometimes bad breath.
We see this condition frequently in our office, and the good news is that gingivitis is reversible with appropriate treatment and consistent oral hygiene.
However, if gum inflammation isn't addressed, it can progress to periodontitis in some patients.
Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease that damages the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. As the supporting bone breaks down, teeth can become loose and may eventually be lost.
The main difference is that gingivitis doesn't involve the bone loss associated with periodontitis. Gingivitis is reversible, while bone loss caused by periodontitis generally doesn't return on its own.
That's why we want to identify and treat gum inflammation before it progresses to more serious periodontal problems.
How do dentists treat gingivitis?
Our dental hygienists use specialized instruments and cleaning techniques to remove plaque and tartar buildup from around your teeth and gumline.
We also evaluate your gums and may take dental X-rays when necessary to check for tartar deposits and changes in the bone supporting your teeth.
X-rays allow us to see certain problems that aren't visible during a clinical examination alone. However, we also rely on periodontal measurements and a thorough examination to determine the condition of your gums.
Our hygienists carefully remove the deposits contributing to inflammation and help you understand how to maintain healthy gums at home.
The goal is to reduce bacterial buildup, allow the gums to heal, and prevent gingivitis from progressing to periodontitis.
How long does it take for gingivitis to heal?
After a professional cleaning and improvements to your daily oral hygiene routine, you may begin noticing less gum bleeding within five to ten days.
It's possible to experience some bleeding when flossing the day after your cleaning, especially if your gums were already inflamed.
Don't let mild bleeding discourage you from continuing to floss gently and correctly. Consistent plaque removal is an important part of helping your gums heal.
If you're experiencing tenderness after your cleaning, warm saltwater rinses may help soothe the area.
It's also important to follow your hygienist's recommendations, particularly if there are areas you're missing when brushing or flossing.
Although symptoms may begin improving within several days, complete healing can take longer depending on the severity of the inflammation and your home care habits.
Persistent or worsening bleeding should be evaluated by your dentist.
Maintaining healthy gums is important for your oral health and overall well-being. Research has identified associations between periodontal disease and certain systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
Although these associations don't necessarily mean that gum disease directly causes heart disease, managing oral inflammation is an important part of maintaining your health.
If you've noticed bleeding gums, sensitivity, or other signs of gum inflammation, we encourage you to schedule an examination.
Even if you haven't visited the dentist in several years or you're concerned that your gum disease may have progressed, don't feel discouraged. We regularly welcome patients who are getting back on track with their dental care.
Understanding your dental care options is an important part of protecting your oral health. Contact us at (518) 868-6900 or email [email protected] with any questions.