Keeping your oral health up to par is important for keeping your teeth healthy and preventing certain infections and diseases that affect your gums such as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease identified by inflamed gingiva and possible irritation and redness.
Your gingiva is the area surrounding the base of your teeth. When gingivitis becomes present in your gums, it is extremely important to start getting treatment for it as soon as possible. This is because while it is a mild disease, it can lead to a more severe gum disease called periodontitis as well as increased susceptibility to severe tooth decay.
Causes and Life Cycle of Gingivitis:
Gingivitis stems from poor oral hygiene. When bacteria in your mouth sits for an extended period of time plaque begins to form. As plaque sits in your mouth, it goes through a process of hardening over the course of a few days. During this time it migrates and sits in your gums and turns into tartar/calculus. Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria and is very hard to get rid of, requiring a professional cleaning to fully remove. If you let tartar sit in your gum line for an extended period of time, your gingiva will begin to get irritated and your condition will worsen until it is removed. This is when gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis occurs. Eventually, tooth loss can occur.
What are Some Signs of Gingivitis?
Since gingivitis is a disease that affects the gums, you want to examine your gum area to find signs that you may be developing the condition. For reference, gums in good condition encase your teeth tightly, have a firm texture, and are a pale pinkish color.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Tender, Soft gums
- Swollen or Puffy Looking Gums
- Gums with a deeper red color
- Gums easily bleeding when brushing/flossing
- Noticeably receding gum line
How can I Prevent it?
Many factors can lead to gingivitis. Unfortunately, some are out of your control, but many of the risk factors you can manage yourself. Here are some of the more common causes that affect gingivitis development:
- Smoking / Chewing Tobacco
- Poor Nutrition, especially a lack of vitamin C
- Misaligned teeth or improper dental work
- Certain drugs, especially those used for epilepsy and high blood pressure, among other conditions
- Old Age – naturally our teeth break down easier as we get older
- Hormonal Changes, especially in those who are pregnant or on certain types of birth control
- Genetics – some people are naturally born to be more susceptible to gingivitis
Treatment for Gingivitis:
As mentioned earlier, the sooner you get treatment the easier it is to improve your oral health and can prevent your gingivitis from turning to periodontitis. Gingivitis occurs in roughly 75% of Americans, so you are likely to experience it at some point in your life. This also means that your dentist and their team are trained to deal with the disease through treatment catered to your needs. When treating gingivitis the goal is to regain healthy gums and stop the progression of the disease.
Your dentist may prescribe you some form of medication to help treat gingivitis. Examples of what they may treat you with include:
- Professional Cleaning
- Oral Antibiotics
- Antiseptic Mouthwash
- Scaling & Root Planing
- Bone & Tissue Grafts may be necessary if the gum line has worsened to an unhealable state
You can discuss many surgical and non-surgical options with your dentist to see which one is the best for your specific needs depending on what stage you are at with gingivitis. Feel free to contact Rother Dental with any questions or to schedule an appointment!
You may have heard from your dentist that it’s important to change your toothbrush after fighting a cold or another sickness. We recommend that you do change your toothbrush after getting sick, as a safety precaution no matter the severity of the illness. Even if the likelihood is low, germs attached to the brush will sit, multiply, and migrate to create a greater chance of you contracting something again.
VIRAL INFECTIONS:
Viruses need a host to replicate themselves using the host’s DNA. If they are unable to find a host, they are unable to survive. Viruses infect a person systematically, with the virus spreading throughout the body. Examples of viral infections include influenza, measles, AIDS, and COVID-19. Though it is possible, viral infections like the cold and flu are not likely to come back due to our bodies’ capabilities of developing antibodies to viruses. Your toothbrush is less likely to be contaminated after experiencing one of these infections. It is not impossible, however, as there are multiple strains of a virus circulating.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS:
Bacterial infections are when your body becomes contaminated with harmful bacteria either on or inside you. These infections are different from viruses in that they are usually larger and able to multiply on their own. They are living organisms that are even able to make their own food and move on top of reproducing. Bacteria are usually localized to one specific area in the body. Examples include food poisoning, strep throat, and pneumonia. This type of infection is more likely to be able to reinfect you because bacteria can sit on your toothbrush for an extended period of time, even after a prescribed antibodies cycle is completed.
One of the most important distinctions to remember between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs when used correctly will usually kill off bacteria but are unable to have an effect on viruses.
CONCLUSION
The Bottom Line: We highly recommend you change your toothbrush after a cold, even if it wasn’t bad, as a safety precaution. You should also change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every couple of months since the bristles start deteriorating and the effectiveness of brushing gets worse. Contact our office if you have any questions!
A cavity is a permanently damaged area in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes.
Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors. Cavities are common in children, teenagers, and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of cavities can vary. When a cavity is just beginning, you may not have any symptoms at all. As the decay gets larger, it may cause signs and symptoms such as:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain when you bite down
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth
- Toothache, spontaneous pain, or pain that occurs without any apparent cause
- Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth
When should you see a dentist?
You may not be aware that a cavity is forming. If cavities aren’t treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss.
Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay. However, if you experience a toothache or mouth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible.
Treatment options:
Treatment of cavities depends on how severe they are and your particular situation. Treatment options include:
- Fillings: Fillings, also called restorations, are the main treatment option when decay has progressed beyond the earliest stage.
- Crowns: For extensive decay or weakened teeth, you may need a crown — a custom-fitted covering that replaces your tooth’s entire natural crown.
- Root canals: When decay reaches the inner material of your tooth, you may need a root canal. This is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it.
- Tooth extractions: Some teeth become so severely decayed that they can’t be restored and must be removed. Having a tooth pulled can leave a gap that allows your other teeth to shift. If possible, consider getting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.
Prevention
Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities. Here are some tips to help prevent cavities:
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste
- Visit your dentist regularly
- Consider dental sealants
- Avoid frequent snacking and sipping
Visit Rother Dental regularly to prevent cavities! Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.
