Gingivitis – Symptoms & Treatment
Gingivitis is an early-stage gum disease and is often painless.
It is caused by the buildup of bacterial plaque due to poor oral hygiene, resulting in gum sensitivity, redness, swelling, bad breath, and bleeding, especially during brushing.
Bleeding is a warning sign of gum inflammation. Gingivitis is common in both adults and children.
It is fully reversible with the removal of tartar through a proper professional dental cleaning, which controls the infection and restores gum health.
owever, professional cleaning alone is not enough to prevent gingivitis. You must also maintain good oral care between dental visits. Without consistent oral hygiene, gingivitis can recur.
This means brushing thoroughly two to three times a day, using specialized cleaning tools (dental floss or interdental brushes) to clean between the teeth, and using an antiseptic mouthwash.
In older individuals, untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious infection that leads to bone loss around the teeth and may result in tooth loss.
If you have one or more symptoms of gingivitis, contact your dentist. The earlier gingivitis is detected, the more effectively it can be treated and further complications prevented.