Gingivitis Treatment in Warson Woods, MO
Gingivitis Treatment in Warson Woods, MO. Have your gums become red or puffy? Is brushing your teeth painful? Or do you have chronic bad breath? If so, you may have a case of gingivitis. Plaza Dental offers qualified, courteous, and high-quality gingivitis treatment to families and individuals of all ages in Warson Woods, MO. We treat each patient like they’re family. If you are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis, or simply haven’t had your regular cleaning in a while, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online contact form.
While gingivitis is occasionally painful, it is usually 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. So it’s important to seek out gingivitis treatment right away. The CDC states 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 believe you have gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your Warson Woods, MO dental office at Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment today.
Gingivitis Treatment: When Do I Need It?
You should receive professional gingivitis treatment in Warson Woods, MO the minute that symptoms start. Untreated gingivitis will often develop into more serious gum disease that can only be treated with costly and painful surgeries. Below is some further information on gingivitis and how to know when you need gingivitis treatment.
Gingivitis Causes
Gingivitis is caused, and gingivitis treatment is necessary, when plaque accumulates on your teeth and on and below the gum line. This generally occurs in three stages:
- Plaque builds up. Plaque occurs when food particles interact with the bacteria that are commonly in your mouth. Plaque contains bacteria and produces toxins that irritate your gums. Daily dental hygiene is vital 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 are allowed to accumulate, they irritate the gingiva and cause swelling. When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to serious gum disease and dental problems.
Because gingivitis is the result of a buildup of plaque, improper 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 been to the dentist because you’re worried about sitting in the dentist’s chair, Plaza Dental Center will help you feel at ease. Apprehensive patients are of special interest to us as we want everyone in Warson Woods, MO to have the quality dental care they need and deserve.
Besides poor good oral hygiene, there are also specific risk factors associated with gingivitis, such as:
- 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 representative of your overall health. That’s another reason why it’s important to immediately seek gingivitis treatment from an expert Warson Woods, MO dental office when you first experience 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. Common 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 believe you have gingivitis, it is important to reach out to your local Warson Woods, MO dentist right away.
Gingivitis Prevention
The simplest method of gingivitis treatment is prevention. A quality, daily oral health regimen recommended by your Warson Woods, MO dentist will generally stop gingivitis before it starts. The best means 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 correct health practices, such as eating well and exercising to keep your immune system healthy
- Not smoking (64 percent of smokers develop gum disease)
- Control diabetes if you have it
At Plaza Dental Center, patient education is an essential part of our treatment plan for our patients. We strive to teach you the best methods of taking care of your teeth and gums in order to prevent gingivitis and other dental problems. However, sometimes gum disease occurs anyway, and that’s when you require professional Warson Woods, MO gingivitis treatment to help your gingivitis go away 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 a qualified Warson Woods, MO dentist are vital. We are able to observe early signs of gingivitis and other gum disease and give you gingivitis treatment before it worsens.
Gingivitis Treatment
When you initially seek gingivitis treatment from your Warson Woods, MO dentist at Plaza Dental, your dentist will work to diagnose gingivitis rapidly. This typically means looking at your gums for bleeding, inflammation, 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 advanced cases, more intense gingivitis treatment may be required. Your Warson Woods, MO dentist at Plaza Dental will understand how to best treat your gums. 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 gums and remove the tarter that has built up. As scaling can leave the surface of the tooth rough, a Warson Woods, MO dentist will then plane the root surfaces to make them smoother. As smoother surfaces are less complicated to brush and clean, scaling and root planing helps prevent further tartar build-up, and has the added benefit of lessening any irritation that may arise from the scaling.
- Dental Restoration. Poorly fitted dental crowns, dental implants, or crooked teeth will not only irritate your gums but will also make brushing more complicated, which makes fending off gingivitis more complicated.
- Ongoing Care. After the plaque and tartar on your teeth and gums are removed, your Warson Woods, MO dental team at Plaza Dental will help you develop an at-home gingivitis treatment plan and preventative measures to make sure the gingivitis does not come back. We will also schedule your next appointment to guarantee that your teeth and gums remain healthy.
- Write a Prescription. Antimicrobial mouth wash can help kill harmful bacteria in your mouth and fend off further gingivitis.
- Gum Surgery. If left untreated, gingivitis can result in serious problems for your gums, which can usually only be cured with surgery. To avoid this, schedule an appointment with your Warson Woods, MO dental office at Plaza Dental when you first notice symptoms.
Call Plaza Dental for Your Warson Woods, MO Gingivitis Treatment Today
If you have noticed the initial symptoms of gingivitis, or believe you might have more advanced gum disease, it is imperative that you get in touch with Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment today. Our dental team and staff are friendly, caring, and knowledgeable, and love working with Warson Woods, MO individuals and families of all ages. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online contact form.