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Bridgeton, MO

Gingivitis Treatment in Bridgeton, MO

Gingivitis Treatment in Bridgeton, MO. Are your gums red or swollen? Is brushing your teeth painful? Or do you have bad breath you just can’t get rid of? If so, you may have a case of gingivitis. Plaza Dental offers expert, friendly, and high-quality gingivitis treatment to families and individuals of all ages in Bridgeton, MO. We treat each patient as if they were a member of our own family. If you are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis, or simply haven’t had your regular cleaning in a long time, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online contact form.

While gingivitis is occasionally painful, it is typically considered mild. However, if left untreated it can lead to more severe dental problems such as periodontitis, tooth loss, and even loss of jaw bone structure. That’s why it’s important to receive gingivitis treatment at once. The CDC says that nearly half of U.S. adults over 30 have gingivitis or other gum disease, which makes it one of the more prominent health issues in the U.S. If you think you have gingivitis, make an appointment with your Bridgeton, MO dental team at Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment today.

Gingivitis Treatment in Bridgeton, MO | Restorative Dentistry | Family Dentist | Plaza Dental Center

Gingivitis Treatment: When Do I Need It?

You should seek professional gingivitis treatment in Bridgeton, MO the instant you start to see symptoms. Untreated gingivitis will routinely develop into more severe gum disease that can only be treated with costly and painful surgeries. Below is some further information on gingivitis and how to know when to seek out gingivitis treatment.

Gingivitis Causes

Gingivitis is caused, and gingivitis treatment is needed, when plaque forms on your teeth and on and below the gum line. This typically develops in three stages:

  1. Plaque builds up. Plaque occurs when food particles interact with the bacteria that are already in your mouth. Plaque contains bacteria and produces toxins that bother your gums. Good dental hygiene is essential because plaque builds up quickly.
  2. Plaque becomes tartar. When plaque is not removed, it solidifies under your gums and becomes tartar, which collects bacteria and acts as a protective shield for more bacteria. Tartar can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.
  3. Gingiva become inflamed. The gingiva are the part of the gum at the base of your teeth. When tartar and plaque are not removed, they irritate the gingiva and cause inflammation. When not treated properly, gingivitis can cause serious gum disease and dental problems.

Because gingivitis is the result of a buildup of plaque, poor dental hygiene such as not brushing your teeth consistently or not having regular visits to your dentist is most often the primary culprit. If you haven’t seen the dentist because you’re apprehensive about sitting in the dentist’s chair, Plaza Dental Center will help you feel relaxed. Apprehensive patients are of special interest to us as we want everyone in Bridgeton, MO to have the quality dental care they need and deserve.

Besides poor good oral hygiene, there are also certain risk factors related to gingivitis, including:

  • Tobacco use
  • Old age
  • Dry Mouth
  • Not adequately removing plaque in the gingiva
  • Poor nutrition and vitamin C deficiency
  • Stress
  • Dental implants that don’t fit properly or crooked teeth
  • Certain prescription drugs
  • Conditions that lower immunity, such as HIV or leukemia

As you can tell, your gum health can be indicative of your overall health. That’s another good reason to immediately seek gingivitis treatment from a professional Bridgeton, MO dental office at the onset of symptoms.

Gingivitis Symptoms

When plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth and in your gums, your gums will react by becoming irritated and implementing several defense mechanisms. Typical symptoms of gingivitis are:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Dark red gums
  • Gum recession
  • Tender gums
  • Painful chewing
  • New sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
  • Bleeding after brushing your teeth

If you believe you have gingivitis, it is important to call your local Bridgeton, MO dentist right away.

Gingivitis Prevention

The simplest method of gingivitis treatment is prevention. A good, consistent oral health routine recommended by your Bridgeton, MO dentist will generally stop gingivitis before it starts. The best methods of prevention are:

At Plaza Dental Center, patient education is an essential part of what we do for our patients. We want to educate you on the best means of taking care of your teeth and gums in order to stave off gingivitis and other dental problems. However, sometimes gum disease occurs anyway, and that’s when you require professional Bridgeton, MO gingivitis treatment to help your gingivitis disappear before it gets worse. Often, a patient does not notice when gingivitis starts as the symptoms can be minor and not impact their daily quality of life. That is one of the reasons why twice-yearly teeth cleanings by an expert Bridgeton, MO dentist are essential. We can observe early symptoms of gingivitis and other gum disease and provide you with gingivitis treatment before it worsens.

Gingivitis Treatment

When you first receive gingivitis treatment from your Bridgeton, MO dentist at Plaza Dental, your dentist will work to diagnose gingivitis quickly. This typically means looking at your gums for bleeding, swelling, and/or redness, checking your gingiva for plaque or tartar, measuring the pocket depth of your gums, and checking for loose teeth and gums that pull away from the teeth easily. In most cases, gingivitis is easily prevented and reversed with professional gingivitis treatment.

In more serious cases, more intense gingivitis treatment may be necessary. Your Bridgeton, MO dentist at Plaza Dental will understand how to best treat your gums. Some more advanced treatments include:

  • Scaling and Root Planning, or Deep Cleaning. Your dentist will first numb the area they are going to scale, then will use a special instrument or ultrasonic scaler to scrape underneath the gingiva and remove the tarter that has built up. As scaling can leave the surface of the tooth rough, a Bridgeton, MO dentist will then plane the root surfaces to make them smoother. Since smoother surfaces are less difficult to brush and clean, scaling and root planing helps fend of further tartar build-up, and has the added benefit of lessening any irritation that may come about from the scaling.
  • Dental Restoration. Poorly fitted dental crowns, dental implants, or misaligned teeth will not only irritate your gums but will also make brushing more difficult, which makes staving off gingivitis harder.
  • Ongoing Care. After the plaque and tartar on your teeth and gums are cleared away, your Bridgeton, MO dental team at Plaza Dental will help you implement an at-home gingivitis treatment plan and preventative measures to ensure the gingivitis does not return. We will also make your next appointment to make certain your teeth and gums remain healthy.
  • Write a Prescription. Antimicrobial mouth rinse can help kill harmful bacteria in your mouth and stave off further gingivitis.
  • Gum Surgery. If left untreated, gingivitis can result in serious issues with your gums, which can generally only be treated with surgery. To avoid this, make an appointment with your Bridgeton, MO dentist at Plaza Dental when you first experience symptoms.

Call Plaza Dental for Your Bridgeton, MO Gingivitis Treatment Today

If you have noticed the first symptoms of gingivitis, or suspect you might have more advanced gum disease, it is imperative that you call Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment today. Our dental team and staff are courteous, caring, and knowledgeable, and love working with Bridgeton, MO individuals and families no matter how young or old. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online contact form.