The Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis

Your dental health is important, and it takes quite a bit of upkeep. The truth is that gingivitis is incredibly common, and it can hit just about anyone. In fact, most people at one time or another will find that they develop a case of gingivitis.

Despite its commonality many people do not know how to tell if they are suffering from gingivitis. There are definite factors that you will want to keep an eye out for so that you can be sure that you treat your infection properly.

Perhaps the most common and most dreaded symptom of gingivitis is halitosis or bad breath. Bad breath can be quite embarrassing. It is typically brought on because you have excess bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria not only negatively affects your gums, but it also leads to the bad breath that you may start to notice.

Speaking of your gums, individuals who suffer from gingivitis may notice that their gums are bleeding. Bleeding gums typically show up when you are going through your daily brushing and flossing routine. Despite the fact that your gums are bleeding there is not usually pain associated with it if the gingivitis is in its earliest stages. However, as the gingivitis progresses you may start to experience pain and swelling in your gums. The more advanced this gets the more serious your case of gingivitis is.

If your case of gingivitis remains unchecked you can expect to see more serious dental issues emerge. Often you find that those who do not care for their teeth properly must deal with periodontal disease, receding gums, bone loss, and even tooth loss. This is part of the reason that as soon as you notice signs of gingivitis you should seek proper treatment.

The best thing that you can do to get rid of gingivitis is to get rid of the cause, the bacteria lurking in your mouth. Daily maintenance is the best way to do this. You should brush your teeth in the morning and in the evening in addition to flossing your teeth every day. Additionally, regular dental cleanings by your dentist are essential. You should plan on seeing your dentist at least every six months or more often if you are dealing with a severe case of gingivitis.

If you are already suffering from an advanced case of gingivitis your dentist may have to perform some more serious procedures like periodontal cleanings. This is basically a deep clean for your teeth that may be followed up by antibiotic injections into deep pockets in your gum line. The antibiotic ensures that any underlying bacteria is treated properly reducing the risk for further infection.

There are also natural methods to rid yourself of gingivitis symptoms. Often you can find mint based supplements that are geared towards treating gingivitis. These supplements have no side effects, and can even help to eliminate gingivitis all together.