Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease which is responsible for the majority of tooth loss cases among adults. The good news is that during this early stage the condition is still much more easily treatable. So it's important to recognize the signs of gingivitis and do everything we can to get it under control with the help of our Hurricane, UT, dentist. Learn more about everything we can do to prevent and treat gingivitis by reaching out to Dr. Charles Elkington of Hurricane Dental Group.
Symptoms of Gingivitis
Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation of the gums, which means they look closer to red than their healthy pink. They are almost more prone to bleeding when we brush our teeth or floss at this stage. But if we've been avoiding these steps for a while another telltale sign is the accumulation of plaque on our teeth.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
If we do nothing about our gingivitis symptoms, it can progress into what's known as periodontitis, the more advanced stage of gum disease. At this point, bleeding may be more common and it's often accompanied by pain, and we may notice our gums begin to pull away from our teeth.
As it becomes more advanced the pain will become more severe, the tissues that hold our teeth in place will become eroded, typically to the point where our teeth themselves become loose. Extremely bad breath and bad taste in our mouths will signal the presence of the infection which can have negative effects on our body as a whole.
Gum Disease Treatment in Hurricane, UT
Gingivitis, if caught in time can be treated, and usually reversed with just an in-office dental cleaning. Even early periodontitis can be stopped from progressing, but it can no longer be reversed.
So it's very important to keep an eye on the symptoms of gingivitis and to do everything we can to prevent it, from brushing and flossing daily to our regular visits into the office.
Whether you're looking to prevent or treat gingivitis you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Elkington of Hurricane Dental Group in Hurricane, UT, by dialing (435) 635-4492.