What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is one of the most common forms of gum disease. The condition affects the gingiva, the part of your gums that surrounds the base of your teeth, causing redness, irritation, and swelling. Even though it’s considered a mild form of gum disease, you shouldn’t take it lightly. It requires the intervention of a skilled dentist like Dr. Hsu.
Bad oral hygiene habits are the main culprit, usually causing a host of dental health issues, including gingivitis. Gingivitis isn't just uncomfortable and painful. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to further deterioration of your gums and surrounding teeth, which can negatively impact your overall health.
Dr. Hsu helps you fight gingivitis and achieve peak dental wellness, but the first step is detecting gum disease early.
How do I know if I have gingivitis?
If your gums are healthy, they’re typically a pale shade of pink and fit snugly around the base points of your teeth. Here are some gingivitis symptoms to look out for that might spell trouble:
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
- Dark red gums
- Bleeding gums (especially when you floss and brush your teeth)
- Tender or swollen gums
When you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Hsu. The sooner you come in, the better since early detection of gingivitis helps immensely in treatment and curbing the progression of gum disease.
How can I prevent gingivitis?
Since bad oral hygiene is the main cause of gingivitis, the best way to prevent it is to maintain good oral hygiene by developing good habits. Here are some tips from Dr. Hsu:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Maintain regular dentist visits
- Don’t smoke tobacco
- Keep a healthy diet
Dr. Hsu can help you develop proper brushing and flossing techniques. He also counsels you on other health practices and habits that affect your oral health and stop gum disease from forming or worsening. These services Dr. Hsu provides are all in an effort to help you achieve dental wellness or optimal dental health.
How do you treat gingivitis?
At Wellness Centered Dentistry, Dr. Hsu treats gingivitis on a case-by-case basis. First, he assesses the severity of your condition. Treatment might include professional teeth cleanings to clear tartar buildup that inflames your gums, or restorative dentistry procedures to treat teeth affected by gum disease.
Dr. Hsu also monitors your gum health with ongoing follow-up visits to make sure you maintain good oral hygiene and stick to good habits like brushing and flossing regularly.
