Gingivitis, also known as periodontal or gum disease, is a condition that causes inflammation of the gums. It’s the earliest stage of gum disease and is caused by many factors.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The primary cause of gum disease is the buildup of plaque on the teeth and gum line that turns into tartar. Tartar causes irritation, inflammation, and swelling of the gums along the teeth.
When left untreated, the gingivitis can progress and eventually worsen into periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. Some patients are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease than others due to health and lifestyle factors, including the following:
- Hormonal changes
- Genetic predisposition
- Health conditions that lower immunity
- Obesity
- Using tobacco products
- Poor oral health
- The side effects of certain medications that affect the teeth and gums
- Various diseases and medical conditions
- Drug use
What Are the Primary Stages?
There are four primary stages of gum disease. While the early stages are reversible, the later stages are not and require a targeted treatment plan to minimize and prevent bone and tooth loss. Addressing this condition at the earliest stage is as simple as scheduling routine dental visits to invest in your oral health.
Stage One: Inflammation
The earliest stage of gum disease is when the gums become irritated and swollen, but patients have yet to lose any bones or teeth. At this stage, gum disease is completely reversible with the right professional cleaning techniques and proper care.
Stage Two: Gingivitis
During the second stage of gingivitis, the gums begin to separate from the teeth and bones, and minor bone loss begins. Periodontal pockets form in which bacteria, tartar, and plaque get trapped, and as a result, normal oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing, can’t effectively remove that plaque and tartar.
Stage Three: Moderate Periodontitis
The third stage of gum disease is moderate periodontitis, during which patients begin to lose more bone around the teeth, and the bacteria continues to deteriorate the gum and soft tissue. Symptoms include increased pain, difficulty chewing, and tenderness.
Stage Four: Severe Periodontitis
The most advanced stage of gum disease is severe periodontitis, and when left untreated, the teeth may loosen and fall out, the gums become infected, and patients experience chronic bad breath.
What Are the Symptoms of the Earliest Stage of Gingivitis?
The earliest symptoms of gingivitis are tenderness along the gum line. You may notice some redness and experience bleeding when brushing and flossing. Inflammation of the gum line causes these symptoms and can lead to discomfort while eating, brushing, and flossing.
If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, even the mildest signs like redness or gum inflammation, it’s important that you seek out professional care to have your teeth cleaned and evaluated and begin a treatment plan to help reverse the effects of this condition.
What Are the Treatment Options for Gingivitis?
If you’re experiencing the earliest stages of gum disease, your dental team can thoroughly clean your teeth and use different methods to reverse its effects, preventing irreversible bone loss.
At Cornerstone Dental, we can use the Cavitron Touch device to treat and reverse gingivitis in the early stages. If you’ve experienced more significant inflammation, we can use the SIROLaser to reduce bacteria along the teeth and gum line contributing to this condition.
Cavitron Touch
The Cavitron Touch is an advanced state-of-the-art dental tool that we use to remove plaque buildup from the teeth along the gum line. This ultrasonic scaling system is a deep cleaning device that removes tartar and stubborn plaque from the teeth to prevent tooth, gum, and bone loss.
The treatment process itself is virtually painless. Typically, we will apply an anesthetic to the gums to minimize discomfort and then use the device to remove tartar from each tooth and at the root below the gum line.
SIROLaser
SIROLaser is a dental laser system that uses various wavelengths to treat periodontal issues. During a typical procedure, the laser energy kills germs and bacteria in the affected tissue. The treatment doesn’t require incisions; instead, it uses light energy to remove diseased tissue without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
How Can I Prevent Gingivitis?
If you’re at risk of gingivitis but haven’t noticed any symptoms, there are some ways to prevent this condition and ensure optimal dental health. Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year will keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition.
At these appointments, your dental team can also evaluate your X-rays to identify any dental changes and move forward with the treatment plan if you show any symptoms of gum disease.
Regular brushing at least twice a day and daily flossing will keep bacteria, tartar, and plaque from accumulating in your mouth and contributing to this disease. You should also avoid smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and stay hydrated.
The Cornerstone Dental Difference
If you’re suffering from any stage of gum disease, we can design the right treatment plan to help reverse or manage the condition. When you visit Cornerstone Dental, you’ll be treated by a team of experts, and we’ll make every effort to ensure your optimal comfort throughout the treatment process.
We also offer treatment options for patients who suffer from dental anxiety and can help ease your nerves during your appointment. Our nitrous oxide-aided services will help you relax during your visit so that you don’t have to deal with the stress that visiting the dentist for any type of treatment may cause.
Am I a Candidate for a Gum Disease Treatment Plan?
The best candidates for gum disease prevention or treatment are patients at high risk of developing this condition due to lifestyle, genetic, or environmental factors. Additionally, those concerned about the appearance of their gums or teeth and who have noticed some of the earliest symptoms of this disease can benefit from an exam to diagnose gum disease and move forward with the appropriate treatment method to help reverse or manage it.
Gingivitis is common but is also treatable when detected and addressed early. If you’re concerned about the health or appearance of your gums and want to invest in your oral health, we can help. In addition to our gum disease treatment options, we offer a wide range of preventative and restorative dental care treatments.
Are You In Need Of Gingivitis Treatment In The Martinsburg Area?
If you are in need of gingivitis treatment you owe it to yourself to speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
