The Importance of Dental Care to Avoid Gingivitis
Hi, I'm Scarlet here at Boulder Canyon Dental, and today I'm going to go over a lot of common questions we get about gingivitis.
Scarlet, what is gingivitis? Is it different from periodontitis?
Gingivitis is different from periodontitis in the fact that it's still a reversible stage of inflammation. Once we pass gingivitis and get into periodontitis, it's a different treatment. Both are, of course, treatable. Gingivitis is reversible, whereas periodontitis is not. It requires maintenance.
What are the first symptoms of gingivitis?
The first symptoms of gingivitis are bleeding gums, noticing bleeding when you're flossing or brushing, or you rinse your mouth and spit into the sink and notice blood. Just basically bleeding of your gums with simple daily tasks.
How dangerous is gingivitis?
That depends on who you ask. To me, it's very dangerous. Gingivitis is very dangerous because it can lead to tooth loss.
Can you have gingivitis and periodontitis at the same time?
You can. Typically, periodontitis is full-mouth, but there are some cases where you mostly have gingivitis and have some localized areas of periodontitis, which we would treat locally as well as the full mouth, trying to get you back to a stable state of health.
How do hygienists treat gingivitis?
Your hygienist will treat gingivitis typically by getting your cleaning caught up and giving you some great home care recommendations, whether that be increasing flossing, using an electric toothbrush versus a manual one. There are different over-the-counter products, different types of floss, water picks, just good education, and of course, getting you cleaned up.
How long does it take to cure gingivitis?
Gingivitis can be cured. It's a group effort. Getting your teeth cleaned and then doing your part at home clears it up pretty fast. Getting your teeth cleaned just twice a year without doing your part at home will allow it to continue.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (970) 514-0662 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.
I hope we've been able to answer any of your questions about gingivitis. We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions, just reach out to our office.