Are Your Gums Trying to Tell You Something? Beat Gingivitis In Houston,TX

Gingivitis – very simply – is an inflammation of your gums. (Any time a medical term ends with “itis” it means inflammation.) Gingivitis varies in severity and can look a few different ways. Very bad gingivitis leads to periodontal (gum) disease.

Causes of Gingivitis

Plaque forms on your teeth and near your gums after you eat and drink. Regular brushing and flossing cleans your teeth and removes this plaque. But if you go too long without brushing and flossing, or you don’t do it well enough, the plaque can really build up and even harden in your mouth. At this point, the plaque becomes tartar that can only be removed by a dental professional.

Gingivitis happens because:

• Tartar builds up on the line where your teeth and gums meet, it sticks and hardens to your soft gum tissue.
• Tartar irritates your gums and makes them more sensitive to oral bacteria that normally aren’t a problem.
• Your gums inflame in order to fight the bacteria and tartar.
• Inflammation causes gums to bleed easily during brushing and flossing.

Effects of Gingivitis

In most cases, gingivitis just means slightly swollen and sore gums. If this happens, call your dentist and definitely keep brushing your teeth. Try brushing lightly and using a soft toothbrush if your mouth is very sensitive.

If your symptoms don’t go away, Gingivitis can cause:

• Red, swollen gums
• Gums bleed easily
• Bad breath or taste
• Sensitive or painful gums
• Gums pull away from teeth and form pockets around teeth
• Tooth loss caused by periodontitis

Preventing Gingivitis

Good oral hygiene is important for everyone and can do a lot to keep you and your mouth healthy. Still, some risk factors make you more likely to develop gingivitis:

• Smoking
• Hormonal changes in women
• Diabetes
• Diseases that lower your immune system
• Dry mouth (sometimes caused by prescription medication)
• Genetics
• Being a male over 30 years old

PAINLESSLY TREAT YOUR GINGIVITIS IN HOUSTON

LET US HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR SMILE!