Is Gingivitis Serious?

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that develops when plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth, which allows harmful bacteria to attack this soft tissue.

Luckily, the condition is easily treated with the help of a dentist. But it’s important to know the signs and see a specialist before the condition gets worse and leads to irreparable dental damage.

Common Gingivitis Symptoms

The most common symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Red and swollen gums
• Bad breath, which persists even after you brush your teeth
• Feeling pain when you apply pressure to the teeth, such as when eating
• Noticing blood coming from the gums right after you floss
• Heightened sensitivity to heat or cold

Most of these signs are mild, but even so, they are reason enough to see a dentist.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat Gingivitis?

Gingivitis doesn’t go away on its own. Once the gums become inflamed, the condition can slowly progress until you develop gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). This is a serious oral health issue that could lead to a lot of dental damage.

The treatment for gingivitis may differ slightly from patient to patient. But the most common approach is a professional dental cleaning, which can remove the hardened tartar from the teeth and prevent bacteria from attacking the gums. 

You may also need to improve your oral hygiene habits and use an antimicrobial mouthwash for a while to help reduce the inflammation.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a serious condition that could lead to:

• Gum retraction, which in turn increases sensitivity and makes the teeth appear longer,
• Loose teeth, and even permanent tooth loss

This disease is also progressive, meaning the symptoms will get worse over time if you don’t get the right treatment. Moreover, if gingivitis turns into gum disease, its effects are non-reversible, meaning you will need additional dental work to restore your smile.

Some common ways to treat periodontal disease include:

• Deep cleaning by a periodontal care specialist near you, which removes tartar and bacteria underneath the gums;
• Antibiotics to fight the infection, which could be a gel or capsule;
• Cosmetic dental treatment to restore lost gum mass;
• Tooth replacement procedures like bridges or implants to replace any lost teeth, etc.

This is why it’s critical to get the right treatment as soon as you notice the first signs of gingivitis. At this stage, the disease can be reversed since it likely hasn’t caused any permanent damage to your smile yet. 

Periodontal Care at Skutak Dental

Lisa M. Skutak, DDS, is an experienced dentist who can help restore the health of your gums and overall smile. 

If you’ve noticed the signs of gingivitis or even think you may have gum disease, request an appointment at Skutak Dental online and stop by to discover your treatment options.

Want to learn more about our services? Call us at (715) 355-4433 today.

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