Gum disease has three main stages and treating it is so much easier if you choose to treat the problem during the first stage, which dentists call gingivitis. Gingivitis is a common problem with adults in the U.S., and it can harm your mouth in many ways if you ignore it. Here are several things to know about gingivitis and the treatment options for it.

What it is

The first thing you should understand is what gingivitis is, so that you understand why it is a serious condition to live with. Gingivitis is gum disease, and gum disease is an infection of the gums. Gingivitis is the least-severe form of gum disease, as it is the first stage, but it is still a problem that is very serious to have. If you find out you have it, you should ask your dentist to explain how this happened, how you can treat it, and what you can do to prevent it from coming back in the future.

The treatment options for it

Secondly, there are several different ways dentists can treat this problem, and you should go through any type of treatment plan your dentist recommends if you are diagnosed with this. The main form of treatment used for gingivitis is called scaling and root planing. This treatment basically involves cleaning each tooth in your mouth in a way that is very deep and thorough, and it does not just involve cleaning your teeth. It also involves cleaning the pockets in your gum lines that are next to your teeth. These pockets tend to get full of bacteria from plaque, and this leads to receding gums.

Secondly, your dentist might give you a prescription mouth rinse to use each day. This is not the type of mouth rinse you can purchase over-the-counter, as it is very strong and should only be used when needed. In most cases, the mouth rinse contains chlorhexidine gluconate, which is an ingredient that kills bacteria and germs in your mouth. By using this daily, you can reduce the risks of developing gingivitis again after it was treated.

While finding out you have gingivitis is not good news, it is much better than finding out you have a more advanced stage of gum disease. With the right treatment, you can eliminate the gingivitis that affects your mouth and following through with this will help you have a healthier mouth. Contact a family dentist for more help.

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