Catching Gingivitis Early is the Key

Catching Gingivitis Early is the Key

The difference between gingivitis and periodontitis can be compared metaphorically to the difference between running a 5K or a marathon. The 5K is pretty easy; the marathon not.

At Dr. Egger’s practice, we take care of gingivitis, helping keep it from becoming periodontitis. This starts with home hygiene but then encompasses various treatments in our office.

What causes gingivitis?

Gingivitis sounds really serious, but all it actually means is “gum inflammation.” Plaque is the main irritant. It is a biofilm made up of oral bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva. Plaque sticks to your teeth as Kim Kardashian sticks to Twitter, but it’s easy to remove when you brush and floss. However, when you get lax with your hygiene the plaque quickly builds up. This is irritating to your gums. If the plaque is left to its own devices, it hardens into tartar, which is even more irritating to your gums.

How you’ll know it’s gingivitis

Gingivitis is easy to spot. Here’s what to look for.

• Changes in color — Your gums should be pink all over, like a tasty piece of Double Bubble gum. Any bright red patches or shiny areas along the gum line are a sign of plaque buildup below the gums.
• Changes in feel — Healthy gums are moist to the touch and have a slightly bumpy surface. The edges taper down to lie flat against your teeth, forming a seal that keeps out bacteria. Inflamed gums are puffy and may pull away from the tooth surface. They may feel smooth, dry, and soft if you push on your gums.
• Changes in shape — Gums should be scalloped along the edge that lies against the teeth. They should cover up about the same amount of root on each tooth and appear symmetrical on both sides of your mouth. More advanced gingivitis causes your gums to recede and pull away from your teeth. This exposes more of the tooth root making your teeth look longer or misshapen.
• Changes in odor — Bad breath is a common symptom of gingivitis, caused by the plaque you’re letting have free reign in your mouth.
• Changes in spit — When you rinse your mouth and spit in the sink, the water shouldn’t be pink with some blood in it. This means your gums are inflamed. They may not even hurt, but bleeding is a sign of gingivitis.

If you see any of these signs of gingivitis, Dr. Egger needs to see you before it starts to turn into gum disease. Call us at 989-773-3560 to schedule your appointment.