Gingivitis: How to Look for the Signs

Take a proactive approach to oral health. One of the keys to lifelong oral health is to look out for the early signs of looming problems. The sooner you take steps to prevent and treat these conditions, the smaller the impact they have on your teeth, gums, and smile. The impact on your comfort and medical budget is a lot smaller as well.

Be on the Alert for Gingivitis Signs and Symptoms

Do what’s best for your oral health, and watch out for these common Gingivitis signs and symptoms:

Swollen Gums: You probably don’t spend a lot of time looking at your gums, but they are on display every time you brush and floss. If they appear to be swollen or puffy it’s a sign that they have been irritated and you may have the gum disease gingivitis.

Receding Gums: This is another tough one to spot because it’s easy to overlook changes in your body when they happen slowly and steadily. If, however, you appear to have less gum tissue than you did before or more exposed teeth, it could be because your gums are not as healthy as they should be.

Tender Gums: You will notice this when you brush. Healthy gums are not easily irritated, and they don’t bleed when brushed or flossed. If your gums are causing you pain, it indicates a potentially serious problem with gingivitis.

Dark Red Gums: Healthy gums are a bright pink color. Gums that are dark red or otherwise discolored may have undergone a color change due to gum disease.

Bad Breath: This can indicate a lot of things, from a health problem to an affinity for garlic and onions. But if you don’t typically suffer from bad breath and notice a sudden change, it should raise a red flag.

Treating Gingivitis Signs and Symptoms

If you think you may be suffering from gingivitis, the first thing to do is book an appointment with a dentist. The doctor can diagnose your gingivitis for certain and recommend a course of treatment. Here are a few tips to help prevent gingivitis and restore your gums to perfect health:

• Brush your teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
• Use floss or another oral care product to clean the spaces between your teeth.
• Swish your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash at least twice a day, particularly after meals.
• Take preventative steps such as eliminating the use of tobacco products, managing diabetes, seeing the dentist more often when pregnant, and taking steps to stop grinding your teeth.

 MyOrthodontist Celebrates Healthy Gums

Even if you don’t exhibit any gingivitis signs and symptoms, it’s important to be diligent about brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly. Your gums may have problems even if they look normal and cause no pain. When you’re ready for a checkup or need to seek treatment, schedule an appointment at MyOrthodontist office closest to you.

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