What is Gingivitis?
Delray Beach Dentist Dr. Mark McCauley DMD.
The medical definition of “gingivitis” is a common form of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Gingivitis can be the primary cause of irritation and inflammation of the gums. Visible swelling and redness of the gums usually precede these effects. Gingivitis is a serious form of gum disease and should be cared for immediately. A patient who suffers from gingivitis normally experiences bleeding while brushing their teeth. While it can show subtle conditions of discomfort, the long-term effects of the gum disease can become much more intense. For example, gingivitis may lead to complications like periodontitis, ulceration of the gums, and jawbone infections. There are even highly credible medical studies linking gum diseases to high risks for cardiovascular diseases and lung diseases.
One of the most common causes for gingivitis is the build up of bacterial plaque. The bacterial plaque accumulated around the patient’s teeth create complex complications that could lead to loosing a tooth. Many people experience this gum disease as a result of poor dental hygiene. Plaque that is not removed properly will form calculus, which is more difficult to remove. A professional dental specialist can only remove calculus. The build up of plaque can be caused by other factors such as drug use, family history, smoking, cancer, menopause and more.
Dental professionals provide treatments and services as solutions to the gum disease. Some of the medical procedures are far more intense than others. Most dental practices conduct a procedure called scaling. “Scaling” is a non-surgical treatment, which dentists use to prevent your periodontitis from becoming more severe. Scaling differs from routine dental cleanings because the procedure involves intense cleaning below the gum line to address the accumulation of plaque build-up and calculus that has settled over time. Scaling is normally used for moderate conditions of gingivitis and periodontal diseases however it is sometimes employed in more severe cases as a pre-surgical treatment.
This can all be countered with easy to implement routines for home dental care. By implementing healthy dental habits into your daily hygiene routine patients can avoid the many forms of gum diseases including teeth brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and the use of antiseptic mouthwash. Now that you know the causes of gingivitis and the best ways to prevent it, implement these practices into your family’s daily dental routine!