Gingivitis Treatment in Webster Groves, MO
Gingivitis Treatment in Webster Groves, 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 professional, courteous, and high-quality gingivitis treatment to families and individuals of all ages in Webster Groves, MO. We treat each patient as if 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 fill out our online contact form.
While gingivitis is sometimes painful, it is normally considered mild. However, if if it is not treated 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 at once. The CDC has found 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 Webster Groves, MO dental office at Plaza Dental for gingivitis treatment today.
Gingivitis Treatment: When Do I Need It?
You should seek professional gingivitis treatment in Webster Groves, MO the second you start to see symptoms. Untreated gingivitis will usually 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 you need gingivitis treatment.
Gingivitis Causes
Gingivitis is caused, and gingivitis treatment is required, when plaque forms on your teeth and on and below the gum line. This typically develops in three stages:
- Plaque builds up. Plaque occurs as the result of food particles interacting with the bacteria that are commonly in your mouth. Plaque contains bacteria and produces toxins that irritate your gums. Routine dental hygiene is vital because plaque builds up quickly.
- Plaque becomes tartar. When plaque is allowed to accumulate, it hardens under your gums and becomes tartar, which collects bacteria and acts as a protective shield for more bacteria. The only way to get rid of tartar is with a professional dental cleaning.
- Gingiva become inflamed. 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 result in 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 regularly or not having regular visits to your dentist is most often the primary culprit. If you haven’t seen the dentist because you’re worried 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 every Webster Groves, MO resident and family to have the expert 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 fully removing plaque in the gum line
- 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 hint at your overall health. That’s another reason why it’s important to immediately seek gingivitis treatment from an expert Webster Groves, MO dental office when you first see 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. The usual 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 suspect you have gingivitis, it is important to contact your local Webster Groves, MO dentist right away.
Gingivitis Prevention
The simplest method of gingivitis treatment is prevention. A good, consistent oral health regimen recommended by your Webster Groves, MO dentist will almost always stop gingivitis before it starts. The best methods of prevention are:
- Proper oral hygiene, including:
- Brushing at least 2 minutes, twice a day
- Flossing once a day
- Regular, twice a year professional dental cleanings and polishing
- General good health practices, such as eating well and exercising to maintain a healthy immune system
- Not smoking (64 percent of smokers have gum disease)
- Control diabetes if you have it
At Plaza Dental Center, patient education is an indispensable part of what we do for our patients. We want to educate you on the best methods of taking care of your teeth and gums in order to stave off gingivitis and other dental problems. However, sometimes gum disease arises anyway, and that’s when you need quality Webster Groves, 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 mild and not impact their daily quality of life. That is one of the reasons why twice-yearly teeth cleanings by a qualified Webster Groves, MO dentist are essential. We are able to note early signs of gingivitis and other gum disease and give you gingivitis treatment before it gets worse.
Gingivitis Treatment
When you first seek gingivitis treatment from your Webster Groves, MO dental office at Plaza Dental, your dentist will work to diagnose gingivitis quickly. This most often includes checking 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 stopped and reversed with professional gingivitis treatment.
In more serious cases, more advanced gingivitis treatment may be needed. Your Webster Groves, MO dentist at Plaza Dental will know 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 use a special instrument or ultrasonic scaler to scrape underneath the gums and get rid of the tarter that has accumulated. As scaling can leave the surface of the tooth rough, a Webster Groves, MO dentist will then plane the root surfaces to smooth them out. Because smoother surfaces are simpler to brush and clean, scaling and root planing helps stave off further tartar build-up, and has the added benefit of reducing any irritation that may develop from the scaling.
- Restorative Dentistry. Poorly fitted dental crowns, dental implants, or crooked teeth will not only irritate your gums but will also make brushing more difficult, which makes staving off gingivitis more complicated.
- Ongoing Care. Once the plaque and tartar on your teeth and gums are removed, your Webster Groves, MO dentist at Plaza Dental will help you implement an at-home gingivitis treatment plan and preventative measures to make certain the gingivitis does not return. We will also make your next appointment to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.
- Recommend a Prescription. Antimicrobial mouth rinse can help destroy 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 frequently only be treated with surgery. To avoid this, schedule an appointment with your Webster Groves, MO dental office at Plaza Dental when you first observe symptoms.
Call Plaza Dental for Your Webster Groves, MO Gingivitis Treatment Today
If you have experienced the first symptoms of gingivitis, or believe you may 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 courteous, caring, and knowledgeable, and love working with Webster Groves, MO individuals and families of all ages. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or fill out our online contact form.