Do You Have Gingivitis?

Gingivitis—the precursor to more serious gum disease—isn’t an obscure dental condition. In fact, most patients recognize the term and at least some degree of the danger that it can pose to their oral health. However, not everyone realizes that gingivitis is the only reversible stage of gum disease, and that they only have a limited time to avoid the need for lifelong periodontal maintenance before gum disease fully sets in. If you believe you have gingivitis, then you should visit your dentist as soon as possible, before it’s too late.

The Signs of Gingivitis
Gingivitis describes an infection in your gums, which develops when harmful oral bacteria are allowed to hang out on your gum line for too long. The bacteria quickly work their way underneath your gums, infecting the tissues and causing them to pull away from your teeth. In severe cases of gum disease, the infection can also erode your gum tissues and the jawbone underneath them. Before this happens, you may notice red, inflamed gum tissues, loose teeth, chronically bad breath, or small spots of blood when you brush and floss your teeth.

Why Scaling and Root Planing Are Necessary
Addressing gingivitis in its early stages is similar to removing bacteria from your teeth during a routine dental cleaning. Known as scaling and root planing, periodontal cleaning involves carefully removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth roots, which requires carefully accessing the roots underneath your gum tissues. Then, your dentist can smooth the root surfaces to make it harder for oral bacteria to accumulate on them.

Learn More About Treating Gingivitis
If you have gingivitis, then seeking treatment as soon as possible may help you avoid gum disease, or at least mitigate the damage that it causes to your gums. To schedule a consultation, call Oxnard Dentistry in Oxnard, CA, today at (805) 604-9999. We also proudly serve patients from in and around Camarillo, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Moore Park, and all surrounding communities.