Gingivitis Treatment in Normandy, MO
Gingivitis Treatment in Normandy, MO. Are your gums red or swollen? Does it hurt to brush your teeth? Or do you have bad breath you just can’t get rid of? In that case, 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 Normandy, MO. We treat each patient like they’re family. If you have developed symptoms of gingivitis, or just haven’t had your regular dental appointment in a while, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.
While gingivitis is occasionally painful, it is normally considered mild. However, if left untreated it can lead to more serious dental problems such as periodontitis, tooth loss, and even loss of jaw bone structure. So it’s best to seek out gingivitis treatment right away. The CDC has found that 46 percent 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 believe you have gingivitis, make an appointment with your Normandy, MO dental office at Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment today.
Gingivitis Treatment: When Do I Need It?
You should get professional gingivitis treatment in Normandy, MO the moment you start to see symptoms. Untreated gingivitis will often develop into more advanced gum disease that can only be treated with costly and painful surgeries. Below is some more 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 normally occurs in three stages:
- 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 irritate your gums. Routine dental hygiene is important because plaque accumulates quickly.
- 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.
- Gingiva become swollen. 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 quickly, gingivitis can cause serious gum disease and dental problems.
Because gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque, bad dental hygiene such as not brushing your teeth regularly or not having regular visits to the dentist’s office is usually the primary culprit. If you haven’t made an appointment with the dentist because you’re nervous about sitting in the dentist’s chair, Plaza Dental Center will help you feel relaxed. Worried patients are of special interest to us as we want every Normandy, MO resident and family to have the professional dental care they need and deserve.
Besides poor good oral hygiene, there are also certain risk factors associated with gingivitis, such as:
- Tobacco use
- Old age
- Dry Mouth
- Not sufficiently removing plaque in the gingiva
- Poor nutrition and vitamin C deficiency
- Stress
- Dental implants that don’t fit properly or misaligned teeth
- Certain prescription drugs
- Conditions that lower immunity, such as HIV or leukemia
As you can see, your gum health can be indicative of your overall health. That’s another reason why it’s important to immediately seek gingivitis treatment from a professional Normandy, 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 enacting several defense mechanisms. The usual symptoms of gingivitis are:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bad breath you cannot get rid of
- Dark red gums
- Gum recession
- Tender gums
- Painful chewing
- New sensitivity to temperature in your mouth
- Bleeding after brushing your teeth
If you suspect you have gingivitis, it is essential to reach out to your local Normandy, MO dentist right away.
Gingivitis Prevention
The simplest method of gingivitis treatment is prevention. A good, consistent oral health routine recommended by your Normandy, MO dentist will usually stop gingivitis before it starts. The best methods of prevention are:
- Proper oral hygiene, including:
- Brushing at least 2 minutes, twice daily
- Flossing once a day
- Regular, twice a year professional dental cleanings and polishing
- General proper health practices, such as eating well and exercising to maintain a healthy immune system
- Not smoking (64 percent of smokers develop gum disease)
- Control diabetes if you have it
At Plaza Dental Center, patient education is a vital part of our treatment plan for our patients. We strive to teach you how to best take care of your teeth and gums in order to prevent gingivitis and other dental problems. However, sometimes gum disease emerges anyway, and that’s when you require quality Normandy, MO gingivitis treatment to help your gingivitis disappear before it intensifies. Often, a patient does not notice when gingivitis starts as the symptoms can be mild and not affect their daily quality of life. That is one of the reasons why biannual teeth cleanings by an expert Normandy, MO dentist are so important. We can detect early symptoms of gingivitis and other gum disease and give you gingivitis treatment before it gets worse.
Gingivitis Treatment
When you initially receive gingivitis treatment from your Normandy, MO dentist at Plaza Dental, your dentist will strive to diagnose gingivitis rapidly. This usually means checking your gums for bleeding, swelling, and/or redness, checking your gingiva for plaque or tartar, measuring the pocket depth of your gums, and looking for loose teeth and gums that pull away from the teeth easily. In most cases, gingivitis is easily stopped and reversed with professional gingivitis treatment.
In more progressive cases, more advanced gingivitis treatment may be needed. Your Normandy, MO dentist at Plaza Dental will understand how to best treat your gingivitis. Some more advanced treatments are:
- Scaling and Root Planning, or Deep Cleaning. Your dentist will first numb the area they are going to scale, then will utilize a special instrument or ultrasonic scaler to scrape underneath the gingiva and get rid of the tarter that has accumulated. As scaling can leave the surface of the tooth rough, a Normandy, MO dentist will then plane the root surfaces to smooth them out. As smoother surfaces are easier to brush and clean, scaling and root planing helps fend of further tartar build-up, and has the extra benefit of reducing any irritation that may develop from the scaling.
- Dental Restoration. Ill-fitting dental crowns, dental implants, or crooked teeth will not only irritate your gums but will also make brushing more complicated, which makes preventing gingivitis more complicated.
- Ongoing Care. After the plaque and tartar on your teeth and gums are cleared away, your Normandy, MO dental team at Plaza Dental will help you implement an at-home gingivitis treatment plan and preventative methods to make certain the gingivitis does not come back. We will also make your next appointment to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.
- Write a Prescription. Antimicrobial mouth wash can help get rid of harmful bacteria in your mouth and stave off further gingivitis.
- Gum Surgery. If not treated properly, gingivitis can result in serious problems for your gums, which can frequently only be cured with surgery. To avoid this, make an appointment with your Normandy, MO dentist at Plaza Dental when you first experience symptoms.
Call Plaza Dental for Your Normandy, MO Gingivitis Treatment Today
If you have seen the first symptoms of gingivitis, or think you may have more advanced gum disease, it is imperative that you get in touch with Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment immediately. Our dental team and staff are courteous, caring, and knowledgeable, and enjoy working with Normandy, MO individuals and families of all ages. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online contact form.