Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the gum tissues that needlessly afflicts the oral health of millions of Americans each year. It often starts out as gingivitis. It occurs when plaque and residual food particles are not effectively removed during the twice-daily brushing and daily flossing of your teeth. These substances then harden into tartar, thus exposing your gum tissues to a constant bacterial presence, which leads to inflammation.
Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding gums during and after brushing and flossing. The gums might also look red or inflamed. Bad breath is also common for those who have gingivitis. If it is detected early, gingivitis can be treated by a thorough dental cleaning.
You will then need to make a concerted effort to improve and maintain your oral hygiene habits. If tartar hardens on your teeth again or if you fail to attend your twice-annual dental checkup, you could suffer from gingivitis once again.
It’s important to treat gingivitis before it can develop into the most dangerous form of gum disease, which is known as periodontitis.
If you are concerned that you might be developing gingivitis, you should not delay in contacting Republic Dental to seek timely diagnosis and treatment.