Gingivitis - Gum Disease
Gingivitis is a gum disease caused by bacteria in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene, plaque, and tartar can lead to excess bacteria collecting along the gum line. Given time, bacteria will begin to damage teeth. As the bacteria spread, the gums often become inflamed and irritated. Inflammation of the gums can cause pockets to form below the gum line where particles of food and bacteria can collect, further aggravating the condition. Gingivitis is an early warning sign of more serious oral health problems like periodontitis. Therefore, it’s important to treat gingivitis immediately to prevent possible tooth loss in the future. Call our Larchmont dentist for a gingivitis and gum disease treatment evaluation today at Eric Spellman, DMD.
What Are The Indicators Of Gum Disease?
Gingivitis may not always present obvious symptoms. Regular dental checkups can help spot indications of gum disease before it becomes a serious concern. Healthy gums should be pink-colored, and there should be no swelling where the gums attach to the teeth. If you begin to experience any of the following symptoms, speak with your dentist immediately:
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Halitosis (chronic bad breath)
- A receding gumline
- Gums that are a bright red color
- Overly sensitive gums
- Gaps forming between teeth and gums
- Swollen gum tissues
- Pain when eating
The Effects Of Gum Disease On Your Health
The effects of gingivitis extend beyond simply impacting oral health. Inflammation caused by gum disease is linked to complications with heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other problems. In addition, the bacteria that causes gingivitis can affect the risks of cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease later in life. There is also a connection between gingivitis and premature birth, pregnancy tumors, and hormonal changes in women.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
It’s possible to reverse the symptoms of gingivitis if you catch the disease early enough. Our dentist, Dr. Eric Spellman can treat gum disease with LANAP treatment, a non-surgical gum disease treatment option in Larchmont, NY.
Scaling and Root Planing: This treatment involves intensive teeth cleaning. Scaling eliminates tartar or plaque just beneath the gum line. Root planing smooths out the surface of the roots of teeth. Root planing and scaling are among the best treatments for gum disease.
Gum Surgery: For severe cases of gingivitis, surgery is an effective treatment for gum disease. Gingival flap surgery is the most common type of surgery for treating gum disease. During this procedure, the gums are folded back to expose and allow easy removal of bacteria deposits near the roots of teeth. Dr. Spellman offers a non-surgical gum disease treatment called the LANAP that utilizes lasers to treat gum disease.
Antibiotics: Your dentist, Dr. Eric Spellman may recommend a course of antibiotics to help stop oral bacteria from continuing to spread. Antibiotics are often used in combination with other treatment methods. Dr. Spellman will prescribe systemic or topical antibiotics depending on the situation.
Maintenance Cleanings: One of the best ways to treat gingivitis is to keep up with regularly scheduled teeth cleanings and dental hygiene appointments. By consistently removing tartar and plaque every three months, you can stop most gum disease symptoms from progressing further.
How To Reduce Your Risk Of Gingivitis
Various factors like age, smoking, and genetics can increase your chances of developing gingivitis. A lack of nutrition plays a role in developing gum disease as well. Pre-existing conditions like bruxism (grinding of teeth) can also increase your susceptibility to developing gingivitis. The best prevention methods are following a healthy diet and practicing adequate oral hygiene. It’s equally important to monitor the progress of your oral health with periodic dental checkups.
Maintaining Optimal Gum Health
Gingivitis can lead to various complications that can impact your quality of life. However, you can alleviate many oral health issues later in life by preventing gum disease today. Brushing every day, eating healthy, and quitting habits like smoking or drinking play a fundamental role in fortifying your gums against disease. Speak with our Larchmont dentist, Dr. Eric Spellman, to gain further insights on protecting your gums from gingivitis.
Schedule A Teeth Cleaning Appointment
Contact our dentist in Larchmont, Dr. Eric Spellman at (914) 834-2941 to schedule a dental exam for gingivitis and gum disease treatment in Larchmont, NY. At Eric Spellman, DMD, with over 30 years of experience, we treat patients for gingivitis and gum disease from Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, NY, and many surrounding areas.