When you notice bleeding or swelling in your gums, it may be an early warning sign of gingivitis—a common but preventable form of gum disease. Recognizing these symptoms early can make a significant difference in maintaining your oral health and preventing more serious dental problems. For reliable care, you can explore gingivitis treatments offered by Dr. Egger, a trusted dentist serving patients in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Choosing this practice means receiving personalized care backed by experience, compassion, and advanced dental technology designed to restore and protect your smile.

Common Symptoms Of Gingivitis

You may not experience pain in the beginning, which is why many people overlook gingivitis until it worsens. However, being aware of the following symptoms can help you recognize when to seek dental care:

• Red Or Swollen Gums: Healthy gums should appear pink and firm. Redness or puffiness is often the first indicator of inflammation.
• Bleeding When Brushing Or Flossing: Occasional bleeding may seem minor, but persistent bleeding is a clear sign of gum irritation.
• Tender Or Sensitive Gums: Your gums might feel sore or sensitive to touch, brushing, or certain foods.
• Receding Gum Line: If your teeth appear longer than before, it may be due to gums pulling away from your teeth.
• Bad Breath Or Unpleasant Taste: Bacteria associated with gingivitis often cause persistent bad breath that brushing alone cannot fix.

How Gingivitis Is Treated

Effective treatment starts with a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Dr. Egger may recommend scaling and root planing, which deep cleans below the gumline to remove harmful bacteria. You will also receive guidance on improving your at-home oral care routine, including proper brushing and flossing techniques. Regular dental visits and a balanced oral hygiene routine are key to reversing gingivitis and keeping your gums healthy long-term.

Take The Next Step Toward Healthier Gums

If you’ve noticed any symptoms of gingivitis, now is the time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Egger in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. With gentle care and effective treatment options, you can restore your gum health and protect your smile for years to come. Call 989-773-3560 today to book your visit and take control of your oral health.

Noticing blood when brushing or flossing may seem like a small issue, but it can be an early sign of a bigger oral health concern. Bleeding gums are often a symptom of poor gum health and shouldn’t be overlooked. When you visit Dr. Egger’s practice, you’ll receive attentive care from a trusted provider in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Choosing Dr. Egger means you’re putting your dental health in capable hands with a focus on comfort and prevention.

Why Your Gums Might Be Bleeding

Gums often bleed due to irritation caused by plaque—a sticky film that builds up on teeth. If plaque isn’t removed through proper brushing and flossing, it can inflame the gum tissue, leading to gingivitis. Left untreated, gingivitis may progress into a more serious condition known as periodontitis, which can damage the supporting structures of your teeth.

Other causes can include brushing too hard, using a firm-bristled toothbrush, or flossing incorrectly. Changes in hormones, certain medical conditions, and some medications may also increase your likelihood of experiencing bleeding gums.

Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

While occasional gum bleeding can happen, regular or persistent bleeding may be a sign of ongoing gum problems. Watch for additional symptoms like swelling, tenderness, gum recession, or chronic bad breath. These may all indicate the presence of gum disease.

Gum health plays a key role in your overall health as well. Studies show that untreated gum disease may be linked to other medical issues, including heart conditions and complications with blood sugar management. Addressing symptoms early can help reduce your risk.

Steps to Protect Your Gums

Good oral hygiene is the first defense against bleeding gums. Brush your teeth gently twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss daily, and avoid skipping your regular dental checkups. These practices help control plaque and support gum health.

If your gums are already bleeding, professional care is the next step. A routine cleaning may be enough in early stages, while more advanced cases may require deep cleaning treatments to remove buildup below the gumline and support healing.

Don’t Wait—Call Dr. Egger Today

If your gums bleed regularly or you’ve noticed other signs of gum issues, now is the time to act. Reach out to Dr. Egger in Mount Pleasant, Michigan for a thorough exam and personalized treatment. Call 989-773-3560 to schedule your appointment and take control of your oral health with care you can trust.

Maintaining healthy gums and overall health is more interconnected than many people realize. The condition of your gums doesn’t just impact your smile — it influences your entire body. By prioritizing gum health, you’re not just protecting your teeth; you’re taking a vital step toward improving your overall well-being.

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Kenneth Egger has dedicated his career to enhancing the oral and overall health of his patients. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, he has received prestigious training at the Dawson Academy and the Dental Education Laboratories. As a trusted family dentist in Mount Pleasant, Dr. Egger’s expertise spans a wide range of services, from preventive care to complex restorative treatments.

How Gum Health Affects Your Body

Gum health is about more than a beautiful smile. When gums are healthy, they create a strong barrier against harmful bacteria. However, poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. According to studies, gum disease has been linked to various systemic conditions, including:

• Heart Disease: Inflammation caused by gum disease may contribute to heart complications.
• Diabetes: Gum infections can make blood sugar levels harder to manage.
• Pregnancy Complications: Gum disease has been associated with preterm births and low birth weight.

By prioritizing gum health, you can reduce these risks and enjoy improved overall health.

The Link Between Gum Disease and Systemic Health

Gum disease begins with inflammation caused by plaque buildup. Left untreated, this condition progresses to periodontitis, which can damage tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Inflammation caused by gum disease doesn’t just stay in your mouth—it can affect other parts of your body.

Dr. Egger emphasizes early intervention to prevent the progression of gum disease. Regular checkups at his Mount Pleasant office include thorough cleanings, evaluations, and personalized advice to keep your gums and overall health in top shape.

Protect Your Health with Expert Dental Care

Take charge of your healthy gums and overall health with Dr. Kenneth Egger in Mount Pleasant, MI. Call 989-773-3560 today to schedule your consultation and discover the impact of exceptional dental care on your overall wellness.

Statistics from the According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that approximately 50% of American adults suffer from some type of gum disease. One of the most notable diseases that individuals experience is gingivitis. Dr. Kenneth Egger, D.D.S., has extensive experience helping people who suffer from their condition improve their oral health with gingivitis treatment.

What Is Gingivitis Treatment?

Gingivitis treatment is designed to control the infection in a person’s gum and restore health to their teeth and gums. Several treatment options may be available, depending on the severity of the condition.

Prophylactic Cleaning

A biannual dental cleaning is the perfect way to remove tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth. Your dental hygienist will be able to point out problem areas and help clean places you may need help to reach.

Scaling

When patients have a lot of tartar buildup under their gums, the next step is a scaling procedure. This procedure involves scraping the tartar off. Dentists will typically use metal dental tools to ensure a thorough cleaning is performed. If you feel uncomfortable during the process, topical anesthetics can be used to numb your gums.

Root Planing

This procedure is performed to eliminate any tiny grooves and pits in your teeth that provide bacteria with the perfect place to generate plaque. Removing these trouble areas by creating a nice, smooth surface for the roots of your teeth ensures your gums are able to adhere tighter and prevent bacteria from entering below the surface.

Why You Should Not Neglect Gingivitis

If you do not treat gingivitis, it can result in significant inflammation that turns into periodontitis. This severe gum disease can lead to an array of health problems and tooth loss. This makes it essential to reach out to our team right away to explore the options available for your gingivitis treatment.

Call Now to Schedule an Appointment

Dr. Kenneth Egger, D.D.S., has extensive experience helping individuals improve their oral health by providing trusted and effective gingivitis treatment. If you are interested in seeing how Dr. Egger can help you, contact us today at 989-773-3560 or use the online form to request an appointment.

Keeping your oral health in tip-top shape is a big priority for a lot of people. However, things get past us, and mistakes are bound to happen. Unfortunately, when it comes to oral health, this can lead to gingivitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation, irritation, and swelling of the gums. This can lead to pain, bleeding, bad breath, receding gums, tender gums, and sensitivity. So what exactly are the causes of gingivitis? Let’s take a closer look at those causes so you know when to consider gingivitis treatment.

Causes of Gingivitis

Plaque

This is one of the most common causes of gingivitis, and it’s why oral hygiene is so important to prevent gingivitis. Plaque build-up can eventually harden into tartar and solidify underneath your gums. This increases irritation to the gums from bacteria activity. This irritation leads to gingivitis and more severe conditions if left untreated.

Tobacco and Substance Use

Gingivitis is caused by irritation to the gums. Smoking and substance use can pollute and irritate the mouth leading to gingivitis. It is proven that smokers have a substantially higher risk of developing gingivitis and gum disease than non-smokers.

Hormonal Issues

Hormonal imbalances are detrimental to oral health and can lead to gum irritation and gingivitis. This is especially common in women who are menstruating, pregnant, going through menopause, or taking oral contraceptives.

Crooked or Deformed Teeth

Unfortunately, having misshapen teeth can be frustrating in many ways. People with crooked teeth are more likely to develop gingivitis because it is more difficult to clean all areas of their teeth. When teeth aren’t properly cleaned, a buildup of plaque will irritate the gums and cause gingivitis.

Taking Care of Gingivitis

Gingivitis can be a frustrating and painful experience that can lead to further complications. You may be concerned that you’re predisposed to gingivitis due to family history, hormonal shifts, or misshapen teeth. All of these factors are why preventative care is so important to dental health. Dr. Kenneth Egger provides preventative dental care and gingivitis treatment.

So whether you’re worried about having gingivitis or already are struggling with it, Dr. Egger can help. With over 28 years of experience in dental care, Dr. Egger brings experience and compassion to your dental needs. So if you’re ready to tackle gingivitis head-on, contact Dr. Egger’s team at 989-773-3560 today.

Although Mt. Pleasant is a long way from Madison Avenue in every way, we’re all still victims of advertising. Take the word “gingivitis,” for instance. Everyone has heard the word, thanks to Listerine’s hefty yearly advertising budget. It sounds scary.

The question is, what is gingivitis? Since we don’t want our patients to develop gingivitis, here’s a primer from Dr. Egger.

What is gingivitis?

Despite its serious name, gingivitis is nothing more than gum inflammation. Plaque is the main irritant of the gums. Plaque is the film that forms on the teeth throughout the day consisting of bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva. When you brush and floss you remove the plaque. Then it starts to rebuild, only to be removed again when you brush. But if you neglect your oral hygiene the plaque can develop beneath the gumline, where it is very irritating to your gums. If allowed to stay there, the plaque hardens into tartar, causing more persistent irritation. While the term “irritation” sounds innocent enough, if this irritation is allowed to continue and progress, it leads to gum disease, clinically known as periodontitis.

What are the signs of gingivitis?

Gum inflammation is simple to identify if you pay attention to your gums every day while brushing and flossing. There are some signs Dr. Egger wants you to watch for:

• Changes in gum color — Your gums should be evenly pink like a wad of Double Bubble Gum. Look for bright red patches and shiny areas along the gum lines. These indicate plaque or tartar buildup underneath the gums. This is an early sign of gum irritation.
• Changes in gum 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 nice seal that keeps out bacteria. Inflamed gums are puffy and may roll away from the tooth surface slightly. They often feel smooth, dry, and soft with you press a finger on them.
• Changes in gum shape — Gums should be scalloped along the edge that lies against your 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 mouth odor — Gum inflammation and bad breath go together like Lake Superior and frigid water. Bad breath is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria left in your mouth haphazard brushing and absent flossing.
• Changes in spit — If you see blood when you rinse after brushing or flossing, that’s a sign of gum problems. They shouldn’t bleed.

The good thing about gingivitis is how easy it is to avoid with good daily brushing and flossing and coming to see us every six months for your professional cleaning and exam. Is it time for your next appointment? Give us a call at (989) 773-3560 to schedule your appointment.

Gingivitis. Most of us have heard the word thanks to those Listerine commercials that have run on the airwaves forever. It sounds scary — perfect for a copywriter to write about. But what is this mysterious thing you call gingivitis and why do I care?

Dr. Egger isn’t scared of gingivitis, but he wants you to be, at least a little bit.

What is gingivitis?

Yeah, it sounds pretty much life and death, but gingivitis is actually nothing more than gum inflammation. Plaque is the main irritant of your gums. Plaque is the film that forms on the teeth throughout the day consisting of bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva. When you brush and floss you remove the plaque. Then it starts to rebuild, only to be removed again when you brush. Think Groundhog Day. If you get sloppy with your home dental care the plaque can develop beneath the gumline, where it is very irritating to your gums. If allowed to stay there, the plaque hardens into tartar, causing more persistent irritation. While the term “irritation” sounds innocent enough, if this irritation is allowed to continue and progress, it leads to gum disease, clinically known as periodontitis.

How does gingivitis show itself?

Gum irritation is easy to spot. Your gums should be like a flamingo in the Everglades, nice and pink. Any bright red patches show irritation. Your gums should also pretend they’re a halibut and lie flat…against the teeth; inflamed gums tend to recede and pull away from the teeth. Your gums will also be prone to bleeding and this shouldn’t normally happen if you’re using a soft toothbrush. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation. And finally, as in the commercials, your breath will reek. The commercials get this part right — your bad breath is caused by bacteria that is being left to its own devices by your poor oral hygiene.

Gingivitis treatments

To keep your gums healthy and keep gingivitis at bay, it all starts with good home hygiene. Beyond that, these are the treatments:

• Prophylactic cleaning

Twice-yearly cleanings with Dr. Egger and our team are the first step. Why twice a year? That generally is the time it takes to start forming tartar and other issues that lead to decay. During these cleanings and checkups, not only will those problem areas receive a thorough cleaning, but we will also point them out to you for more attentive care at home.

• Scaling

If you have a fair amount of tartar built up under your gumline, it can only be removed with dental tools. This is called scaling.

• Root planing

In root planing, tiny grooves or pits are removed from the tooth roots to make it easier for the gums to adhere and stop receding.

So, don’t be a victim of advertising. You can fight gingivitis without calling some mouthwash to rescue you! If you wonder if your gums are hating life, call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 and let’s talk.

Be Nice to Your Gums for the New Year

This time of year everyone has a New Year’s resolution. Lose weight. Exercise more. Call your brother/sister more often. Watch more SpongeBob. Work on your short game.

Dr. Egger has one for you. Be nice to your gums.

That sounds simple enough, but you’d be amazed at the way a large percentage of the population abuses their gums and overall oral health. The end of that road is not pretty — gum disease and falling out teeth.

But it’s such a shame, because virtually all gum disease is preventable. It just takes good oral hygiene at home and regular twice-yearly visits to Dr. Egger for professional cleanings and exams.

Just so you know, it all starts with a fancy term, gingivitis.

What is gingivitis?

Just the word gingivitis sounds ominous, maybe even life threatening. In actuality, gingivitis is nothing more than gum inflammation. The main irritant of the gums is plaque. You know the stuff — it’s the film that forms on the teeth throughout the day consisting of bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva. When you brush and floss your main goal is to remove the plaque. As soon as you do, it starts to rebuild, only to be removed again when you brush. It’s the classic cat and mouse story, ongoing every day. If you get lazy with your oral hygiene the plaque sets up residence and soon moves down beneath the gumline. There it is very irritating to your gums. If allowed to stay, the plaque hardens into tartar, causing more persistent irritation. While the term “irritation” sounds innocent enough, if this irritation is allowed to continue and progress, it leads to gum disease, clinically known as periodontitis.

How do you know?

What are the signs of gingivitis? Gum irritation is easy to spot. Your gums should be pink all over; any bright red patches show irritation. Your gums should also lie flat against the teeth. This is a telltale later sign, as your inflamed gums tend to recede and pull away from the teeth. At this point, your gums will also be prone to bleeding; this shouldn’t happen if you’re using a soft toothbrush. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation. Finally, your breath will reek. Bacteria that are being left to run free by your poor oral hygiene cause your bad breath.

Treating the G-word

Keeping your gums healthy and keeping gingivitis at bay all comes down to home hygiene. But if you lose focus, then it’s up to Dr. Egger to take over. He’ll use these treatments to reverse gingivitis before it progresses to gum disease.

• Prophylactic cleaning
  The first step is to be diligent about twice-yearly cleanings with our office. This is called prophylactic cleaning. Why twice a year? That generally is the time it takes to start forming tartar and other issues that lead to decay. At these times, not only will we thoroughly clean and get your mouth back to a better condition, but we’ll give you a heads up about the issues before they become worse.
• Scaling
  If tartar has moved in like that uncle who can’t keep a job and has taken residence under your gumline, Dr. Egger will scrape it off with dental tools. This is called scaling, and depending how much we have to do, we may give you a local anesthesia.
• Root planing
  An even more involved procedure is root planing, where Dr. Egger removes any tiny grooves or pits from your tooth roots to make it easier for the gums to adhere back down to the teeth. This is done in multiple appointments with local anesthesia.

These procedures are important because we can keep gingivitis from becoming periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease. And you do not want to hear that word.

So be nice to your gums for the New Year, and they’ll be nice to you. Is it time for your next cleaning and exam with Dr. Egger? Call us at (989) 773-3560 to make your appointment.

Don’t Irritate Your Gums

Gingivitis.

If you were on Jeopardy and that was the “answer” that came up, would you know the answer? Remember, your answer must come in the form of a question.

“Uh, what is a fungus that grows on golf course greens, Alex?”

Bzzzzzzzzt. Hopefully you didn’t wager everything!

Yes, while most of us have heard the word gingivitis — mainly thanks to Listerine’s large advertising budget — few know what this scary-sounding word actually means.

Ready? Irritated gums. Doesn’t quite fit the word, does it?

Since Dr. Egger deals with the aftermath of gingivitis, gum disease, here’s some information on how your gums become irritated and why it matters for your oral health.

Gingivitis, beyond its scary name

While its name does sound ominous, the term gingivitis simply means gum inflammation. And, like pesky mosquitoes to your summertime camping in the U.P., plaque is the main irritant of the gums. Plaque is the film that forms on the teeth throughout the day consisting of bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva.

When you brush and floss you remove the plaque. Then it starts to rebuild, only to be removed again when you brush. But if you neglect your oral hygiene the plaque can build and move beneath the gumline, where it is very irritating to your gums. If allowed to stay there, the plaque hardens into tartar, causing more persistent irritation. And this is where things get dicey. Because while the term “irritation” sounds innocent enough, if this irritation is allowed to continue and progress, it leads to gum disease, clinically known as periodontitis. And while periodontitis may not sound as ominous as gingivitis, it is far worse.

What are signs of gingivitis?

How do you know that your gums are not happy with you? Irritation is easy to spot. Your gums should be pink all over, like a wad of bubble gum in the Tigers’ dugout. Any bright red patches show irritation. Your gums should also lie flat against the teeth; inflamed gums tend to recede and pull away from the teeth. Your gums will also be prone to bleeding and this shouldn’t normally happen if you’re using a soft toothbrush. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation. And finally, as in the commercials, your breath will reek. The commercials get this part right — your bad breath is caused by bacteria that is being left to its own devices by your poor oral hygiene.

Gingivitis treatments

There are various ways Dr. Egger can deal with your gum problems. First are your twice-yearly professional cleanings. The reason for the six-month interval is because that’s about the time it takes for tartar to build up and think about moving under your gumline. Procedures such as root scaling and planing are next, but you don’t want those if you can avoid them.

Is it time for your next exam and cleaning so we can be vigilant about your gum health? Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to make your appointment.

Gingivitis. We’ve covered that in this little old blog of Dr. Egger’s before. But it’s always good to stay on top of gingivitis so that it doesn’t turn into full-on gum disease.

Here are the signs to watch for, along with how Dr. Egger beats up on gingivitis, not unlike the Hulk could beat up on Spiderman if he made fun of the color green.

Symptoms of gingivitis

As we’ve said before, gingivitis is an ad man’s dream. The term sounds scary. But all gingivitis means is “gum irritation.” Ooh. Let us run into the dark woods in fear!

Still, signs of gingivitis are signs that you need to pick up your home hygiene because plaque is making its way under your gums and probably is turning into tartar. That’s the road to gum disease.

Here are the signs of gingivitis:

• Changes in color— Gums should be like a big fat wad of Double Bubble Gum, nice and bright pink. They shouldn’t be red or shiny along the gum line. These signs indicate plaque or tartar has built up underneath 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 the seal that keeps out bacteria. Inflamed gums are puffy and may be pulling away from the teeth. They may feel smooth, dry, and soft.
• Changes in shape— Gums should be scalloped along the edge that lies against the teeth. They should cover a symmetrical amount of the tooth roots on both sides of your mouth. When the gums start to pull away from the teeth, more of the tooth root is exposed, and this makes your teeth look longer and misshapen.
• Changes in odor— Bad breath and gingivitis go together like Dolly Parton and silicone. Plaque that you’ve left in your mouth with lackadaisical brushing and flossing is flourishing, and bad breath is the byproduct.
• Changes in spit— Your gums shouldn’t bleed. If you’re using a soft toothbrush and brushing the gums along with the teeth, there’s no reason for the little pink devils to bleed. If they bleed, the gums are telling you to wake up and take better care of them because they’re getting inflamed.

Beating down gingivitis

Dr. Egger is like the Hulk when it comes to beating up on gingivitis. Although we’ll cover the details in another blog, Dr. Egger uses root scaling, root planing, and prophylactic cleaning to show gingivitis who’s the boss.

Is it time for your next cleaning and exam? Call Dr. Egger at 989-773-3560 to make your appointment.