Preventing and Managing Gingivitis
Hi, my name is Dr. Julie Ann Valde, and I get a lot of questions about gingivitis. I am here to answer those questions.
What is gingivitis and is it different from gum types?
Gingivitis is really a basic inflammation of the gums. When I say basic, we have a little bit of bleeding and inflammation. It is different from periodontitis because periodontitis means that the small infection has expanded into a bigger infection involving the bones. With periodontitis, we're seeing some loss of bone, which can be diagnosed through an X-ray. There is a difference between gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis really stays within the gums, causing bleeding and inflammation. Periodontitis involves a loss of bone.
What are the first symptoms of gingivitis?
The first symptom of gingivitis is bleeding gums. When you try to floss, it easily bleeds, which is really the first symptom. Sometimes you'll have pain, sometimes you won't. If you see that your gums are bleeding when you try to floss, call me, and I can take a look at it.
How dangerous is gingivitis?
Gingivitis can be dangerous if left untreated. If you leave your bleeding gums to bleed, it can turn into a full-blown infection where bacteria enter and eat your bone. Gingivitis is dangerous if left untreated because it can lead to bone loss, and then that's periodontitis.
Can you have gingivitis and periodontitis at the same time?
Yes, you can because you can have gingivitis that leads to periodontitis. That would mean your mouth started with gingivitis and then progressed to periodontitis. Sometimes you'll have more bone loss in one area, which would be periodontitis, but in another area, you don't have that as much. You can have both, but usually, gingivitis, if left untreated, turns into periodontitis.
How do dentists treat gingivitis?
If you have gingivitis, we will sometimes treat it by getting you in every four months for cleanings. We'll give you some oral hygiene instructions on how to brush and floss, which often does the trick. If the gums are really inflamed and there is tartar and food debris, we will recommend deep cleanings. Deep cleaning involves removing all that food debris and tartar underneath the gums. We will anesthetize you so you don't feel anything, and you'll be comfortable. That's how we treat gingivitis.
How long does it take to cure gingivitis?
Gingivitis can be cured if we take the necessary steps. If you need a deep cleaning, you do the deep cleaning. That's the first step. To prevent it, you need to brush and floss at home and see us every four months. Prevention is actually the best way to cure gingivitis.
When should I schedule a dental appointment if I suspect I may have gingivitis?
If you suspect that you have gingivitis, you should schedule an appointment with us right away. We will make sure to perform our diagnostic data gathering and treat it. As soon as you suspect it, call us.
And now we're closing out. I hope I was able to answer your questions about gingivitis. You can reach us if you have more questions. I hope I've answered some of your questions about gingivitis. If you have other questions or concerns, please reach out to us and call us at (805) 554-0018 to schedule an appointment. I'm looking forward to seeing you.