Gum disease is also known as gingivitis in the early stages, and it can eventually worsen into periodontal disease if left untreated. The word “gingivitis” literally means an inflammation of the gums, and its cause is usually found in the build-up of plaque on your teeth.
Symptoms experienced by most people with gingivitis include gums that are swollen, tender, and red or purple in color. The gums may bleed during or after brushing your teeth. To help prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease, regular and thorough brushing and flossing of the teeth is needed. It’s also a good idea to use an oral rinse containing hydrogen peroxide or saline. Make sure you visit us every three months or so for a cleaning and checkup for the best possible defense against gum disease.
If you’ve already received a diagnosis of gum disease, don’t despair — there are treatments that will help. Those same methods of controlling the plaque that causes gingivitis can also help correct the problem. We can reduce the presence of bacteria and plaque with dental cleaning and hydrogen peroxide rinses, and we can use root planing or scaling techniques to treat more advanced cases of periodontal disease.