How to Get Rid of Gingivitis? Detecting the Early Signs

Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease caused by inflammation. Inflammation leads to infection, irritation, and discolouration of the gingiva. While gingivitis is a reversible and mild form of gum disease, it can lead to more severe oral health issues. 

If you notice early signs of gum disease, it’s important to learn how to get rid of gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis may develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss and can spread into the jawbone, causing bone degradation.

How to Detect Early Signs of Gum Disease?

Fortunately, gum disease is treatable if it is detected early. Common symptoms include: 

• Gum inflammation
• Gum tenderness or discomfort
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
• Tooth sensitivity
• Discomfort when eating or chewing
• Bite misalignment (malocclusion) 
• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Bad breath
• Red coloured gums

Causes of Gingivitis

Gingivitis develops from a build-up of plaque on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria that naturally forms on your teeth. If plaque isn’t removed through regular brushing and flossing, it hardens and becomes tartar. 

Plaque and tartar can collect beneath the gum line, making them difficult to remove. If left untreated, this build-up can cause inflammation and infection. The longer plaque and tartar maintain contact with the teeth and gums, the more they irritate the gingiva. It’s essential to know how to treat gingivitis to prevent the infection from worsening.

How to Get Rid of Gingivitis?

The skilled dental team at Dental Spot understands how to get rid of gingivitis. The first step is an initial consultation for diagnosis and to develop a treatment plan. 

If a visual and manual dental examination doesn’t indicate gum disease, we measure the depth of your pockets using a dental probe. The pocket between the gums and teeth is usually one to three millimetres deep in a healthy patient. A depth of four or more millimetres indicates that gum disease is present and requires treatment.  

If we detect gum disease, we can create a treatment plan based on the severity of your condition. Effective treatments include: 

Frequent dental cleanings

To reduce the severity of gingivitis, visit your dentist every six months for a dental cleaning. Your dentist uses a manual scraper or pressurised handpiece to remove calculus and plaque from your teeth during the cleaning. Then, they use mildly abrasive toothpaste to thoroughly clean your teeth and smooth the surface to prevent bacterial growth. They also use floss to eliminate tartar between teeth. 

After cleaning and exam, your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash and schedule a follow-up cleaning in a few weeks to check if your gums are healing. This is sufficient to return your gums to normal health in most cases.

Scaling and root planing

If you have visible gum recession, bleeding gums, gum inflammation, or deep pockets, your dentist may schedule you for scaling and planing. This deep-cleaning procedure may take multiple dental visits for more advanced gum disease.

Scaling involves manually removing plaque and tartar build-up from the surface of your teeth and the space inside the gum pockets beneath your gum line. Planing occurs after scaling and involves smoothing the surface of the tooth root. Planing inhibits bacterial growth and helps with gum reattachment. 

Flap surgery

For advanced gum disease, your dentist may recommend gingival flap surgery. This procedure opens and peels back the gums to access deeper pockets of plaque and tartar. Once the material is removed, the dental surgeon reseals the site. Flap surgery is typically used to treat chronic gingivitis if scaling and root planing has been unsuccessful.

Antibiotics

Your dentist may prescribe a course of doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline antibiotics, either as pills, liquid, or a medicated mouth rinse. Antibiotics eliminate the harmful bacteria causing the infection, allowing your gums to heal. 

How to Prevent Gum Disease?

The best way to avoid gum disease is with preventative care. In addition to regular dental visits, there are several measures you can take to promote healthy gums and reduce the risk of inflammation and infection, including:

• A regular oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. If you are prone to developing tartar, use specially-formulated tartar control toothpaste. Rinse once per day with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Use the correct brushing and flossing technique. Avoid using too much pressure when brushing as this can irritate the gum tissue. You can purchase a pressure sensor-enabled electric toothbrush that sounds an alarm when you brush too hard. You should also avoid snapping floss against your gums, leading to bleeding. 
• Eat a high fibre diet. A diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can promote gum health. The insoluble fibre in these foods gently scrubs away tartar and massages the gums to improve vascular circulation. 

Learn How to Treat Gingivitis With Dental Spot

Gingivitis is a common problem that can be treated easily if detected early. If you experience any symptoms of gum disease, don’t ignore them. Schedule a consultation at Dental Spot. Our experienced dentists know how to treat gingivitis effectively, helping you maintain your oral health and preserve your beautiful smile. 

Give us a call today on (02) 9158 6115 or contact us online to book a dental check-up. 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/den/231/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/healthy-mouths

Periodontal Diseases in the Australian Adult Population
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01167.x

Treatments for Gum Disease
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-disease-treatments