Keep an Eye on Your Gums for These Warning Signs of Gingivitis

Even though your teeth get most of the credit for your smile, your gums do a lot to keep them healthy, safe, and strong. Unfortunately, about half of American adults deal with some form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss and nasty secondary infections like sepsis and pneumonia if left untreated. Luckily, excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits can do a lot to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Here’s a brief guide to the warning signs of gingivitis so you can catch it early and resolve it before it becomes a severe problem for your oral and overall health.

What Is Gingivitis?

The human mouth is teeming with bacteria, and not all of these microbes are good for your oral health. Excessive sugar consumption and neglect of oral hygiene can lead to these germs rapidly multiplying, causing them to infect the teeth, the gums, and tissues. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, which may be mild and seemingly negligible at first. However, untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which results in tooth loss, severe gum recession, and dangerous secondary infections elsewhere in the body.

What Are Some Signs of Gingivitis?

Your gums should be firm, pale pink, and fitting snugly around the teeth when healthy. Gingivitis, on the other hand, can result in symptoms such as:

• Swollen or inflamed gums
• Darker, bright red, or dark red gums
• Bleeding in the gums during brushing or flossing
• Tenderness in the gums
• Unpleasant breath

How Can Gingivitis Be Treated?

If you believe you have gingivitis, contact your dentist’s office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. In its early stages, gum disease can usually be reversed by committing to excellent oral hygiene, and a dentist can help you understand exactly how you can do that. In its more advanced stages, gum disease can be treated with professional techniques like scaling and root planing as well as medications like antibiotics.

Don’t risk losing your teeth by missing these red flags! Healthy gums are a crucial part of a healthy smile that you’d be proud to show off to friends and strangers alike.

About the Author

Dr. George T. Philip earned his dental degree from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and purchased his own practice in Sunnyvale, TX in 2004. He frequently completes continuing education courses to stay on top of the latest developments in the dental field. His office offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry in addition to gum disease treatments. For more information on treating gum disease, contact his office online or dial (972) 285-6144.