Have you noticed that your gums bleed a little bit when you brush or floss your teeth? While many people think bleeding gums are normal, it’s actually the first sign of gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is fairly common but is easily treatable with the right care. Although it may not seem like a huge problem at first, you need to take quick action at the first sign of gum disease. If gingivitis is left untreated, it will eventually progress to periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss and addition oral and overall health complications.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis occurs when the gums become infected due to an accumulation of bacteria that’s present in plaque and tarter around the gum line. This infection causes the gums to become inflamed, red, swollen and tender. Often, the gums will bleed. Overtime, the gum line may begin to recede, which opens the door to the later stages of gum disease when left untreated. As gum disease progresses, you may begin to experience chronic bad breath, pus near the gums, loose teeth, and negative complications on your overall health.

When caught early, you can easily treat the first stage of gum disease without causing any longer term damage to the gums and teeth. However, if treatment is delayed, deep pockets will develop in the gum line, causing the infection to spread deeper into the gum.

Treating Gingivitis

If you suspect you have gingivitis, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Concord NH right away. In the meantime, you need to step up your oral hygiene routine at home. Make sure you are brushing and flossing daily to remove as much bacteria in the mouth as possible. Use a soft bristled brush to avoid causing any further irritation to the gums while holding the brush at a 45-degree angle. Use back and forth and up and down motions to clean the teeth. Floss at least once a day in between each tooth. Carefully form a “c” shape around each tooth and extend the floss all the way to the gum line and back up the tooth. Afterward, use a mouth rinse to kill harmful bacteria left behind.

Your dentist will need to clean your teeth to remove plaque and tarter buildup. They may need to clean the deep pockets that have formed to remove additional plaque and bacteria. At the appointment, your dentist will also conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the extent of the infection to provide the best course of treatment.

Your Dentist for Gingivitis

If you’ve noticed your gums hurting or bleeding, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist. We provide treatment and prevention for gum disease in Concord NH. We encourage you to practice proper home oral hygiene while maintaining regular appointments with your dentist for cleanings to prevent the occurrence of periodontal disease. If you suspect you may have gum disease, please call our office at (603) 225-6331 to schedule an appointment.