Worried About Gingivitis? Watch For These Symptoms

If you want to feel confident that you are free of smile problems, make sure your gums are not affected by gingivitis. Gingivitis is the initial stage of an infection that can affect your periodontal health. If it is not addressed, the condition can worsen, which can make treatment more difficult. This should be a serious concern, as complications from this infection are the leading cause for adult tooth loss. While gingivitis may not cause pain, symptoms of it can be identified when you check on your periodontal tissues. You can also count on feedback about your periodontal health during regular dental checkups at our Ankeny, IA dental office.

Check On The Condition Of Your Gums When You Brush And Floss

You should take some time to visually check your smile when you clean your teeth. If you are currently affected by gingivitis, there are symptoms that you can identify, like swelling, or redness. You may also notice that your gums are often bleeding when you finish brushing and flossing. There is another symptom of gum disease that you can identify when you are not brushing your teeth – people who have an infection often struggle with chronic bad breath.

Receiving A Periodontal Cleaning At Your Next Dental Exam

Improving your oral care routine does more than just protect you against restorative dental work – by doing a better job brushing and flossing, you can fight bacteria that cause gingivitis. Your dentist is also prepared to help you. If signs of poor periodontal health are observed during a checkup, we can recommend a special periodontal cleaning that removes bacteria beneath your gums. Doing so can put a stop to gingivitis, and allow your gums time to recover.

How Harmful Can Gum Disease Become If It Is Not Treated?

If gingivitis is not treated in time, an infection can become more advanced. Advanced periodontal problems are difficult to manage, and they can be permanent. As a result, you may need additional long-term support to protect yourself against damages caused by periodontal bacteria. This condition is the leading cause of tooth loss, as it causes attachment loss by destroying the tissues that hold teeth in place. For patients who have already experienced this issue, we can discuss using a dental bridge or dental implant to address losses.

Talk To Dental Impressions About Your Gingivitis Concerns

At Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, we are committed to giving our patients important protection against oral health threats like gingivitis. If you are experiencing signs of this infection, or if you have any other problems that threaten your dental or periodontal health, we are available to address the matter. To find out more,  by calling the Dental Impressions office today at (515) 965-0230.