What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums. In other words, it's when the gums get red and swollen, and a little bit of bleeding can occur when you brush around them. This is caused by a build-up of bacteria under the gums. Everybody has bacteria in their mouth, and it accumulates around your teeth. Without properly cleaning your teeth, some of these areas become a little bit overgrown and may cause gingivitis. 

How is gingivitis diagnosed?

Gingivitis is diagnosed by a probing at our office. Probing is when a small dental instrument is pressed into each area of the gum around the tooth to see how far the gum will push back. If the instrument pushes far into the gum, then that is an indication of gingivitis. 

What can a dentist do to treat gingivitis?

The main way to treat gingivitis is a deep, thorough cleaning of your teeth. This will remove the bacteria from around your teeth and help the gums heal. As long as you stay on a regular cleaning schedule, the gingivitis is less likely to reoccur.

Should I schedule a dental appointment if I suspect that I have gingivitis?

Schedule an appointment right away. Have a dentist perform an exam and make sure that your symptoms doesn't progressively worsen. Things get worse by waiting!

If you have more questions or if you'd like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 315-474-1711 .