Treatment for gingivitis in the Bronx, NY isn’t something you should put off. Treatment for gingivitis begins as soon as your periodontist recognizes the early warning signs. That’s why it helps to find a dentist open on Saturday and Sunday to provide you with the treatment you need when you can’t make a regular weekly appointment. Pregnancy gingivitis treatment is specialty care that doesn’t compromise the health of your baby.
Having healthy teeth and gums has beneficial effects on your overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to compromised health and lifelong dental problems. The leading cause of tooth loss in the United States is gingivitis, which worsens to periodontitis, or gum disease.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. It affects people of all ages, and most people experience symptoms at least once in their lives. It’s an inflammation of the gum caused by a number of factors. Whatever the root cause, it’s plaque hardening into tartar and collecting bacteria that leads to infection and inflammation of your gums.
Do You Have Gingivitis?
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on your oral hygiene, medical history and the duration of the disease. Immunocompromised individuals or those taking certain drugs are more likely to develop gingivitis. Hormonal states like pregnancy are also a risk factor because of the hormones and increased blood flow to your gums. Getting pregnancy gingivitis treatment prevents the likelihood of premature birth.
If you experience symptoms like bleeding gums, dark, dusky discoloration of your gums, bad breath or shifting teeth, you may have gingivitis. Even though not all cases of gingivitis proceed to gum disease, your dentist (open on Sunday) gives you the best treatment for gingivitis to prevent its progression.
Do Your Part Every Day
Even though treatment for gingivitis doesn’t seem complicated, the disease may warrant surgery in some cases. Preventing severe gum disease and saving your natural teeth starts with your oral hygiene. A solid cleaning routine at home can remove the need for treatment of gingivitis. Your oral hygiene routine should include:
- Brushing at least twice a day
- Brushing all the surfaces of your teeth for at least two minutes
- Brushing your gums in a circular motion at a 45-degree angle
- Flossing at least once a day
- Rinsing and gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash
- Changing your soft-bristled toothbrush every three months
- Getting regular dental checkups and professional cleaning twice a year
- Limiting your sugar intake
- Avoiding tobacco
Take Action Now
If you do all these things and still experience symptoms, it may mean that there’s an underlying cause. You may need more specific treatment for gingivitis. If your symptoms are mild, home remedies or over-the-counter medications that your dentist (open on Sunday) may suggest include:
- Saltwater rinses
- Turmeric gel application
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash
- Fluoride and antibiotic toothpaste
If you’re pregnant, make sure you consult your dentist (who can be your Saturday dentist too) before you try any home remedies. He may suggest a specific pregnancy gingivitis treatment that’s not only effective but safe for you and your baby.
Your Dentist’s Role in Gingivitis Treatment
There are surgical and non-surgical modalities of treatment for gingivitis. It depends on the severity of your gum disease. An examination of your mouth — including your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheek — combined with a thorough review of your dental and medical history, usually reveals the cause of your gingivitis. Our experienced dental professionals (open on Sunday too) also probes your gum pockets to see their depth. He may suggest X-rays to look for the depth of involvement or blood tests to look for underlying medical conditions.
A common occurrence in pregnant women with gingivitis is a pregnancy tumor. Even though it sounds scary, it’s an inflammatory reaction that’s not harmful to you or the baby. Pregnancy gingivitis treatment easily gets rid of this benign condition.
Non-Surgical Gingivitis Treatment Available
If your symptoms aren’t relieved with your oral care and home remedies, there are several non-surgical options your dentist (open on Sunday) may suggest. Treatment for gingivitis revolves around getting rid of the plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have accumulated underneath your gums. Antibiotics may help, but a thorough cleaning by your dental hygienist usually resolves the problem.
The two main procedures to eliminate tartar under your gum line are scaling and root planing. Scaling involves removing the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Root planing smoothes the surface of your teeth, near the root, which makes it more difficult for plaque to attach to and also helps the gum reattach to the tooth. Pregnancy gingivitis treatment is tailored to the mother and baby but may involve different antibiotics or less invasive treatment.
Surgical Gingivitis Treatment Options
Only severe cases of gingivitis, where the disease has progressed to periodontitis, need surgical intervention. But each individual is different, and your dentist (who can be your Sunday dentist too) makes sure you get the specific treatment for gingivitis you need.
The goal of surgical treatment is to restore damaged tissues caused by severe periodontal disease. The tissues involved can be your gums, teeth, or even the underlying bone. The main types of surgeries include:
- Flap surgery
- Soft tissue grafts
- Bone grafts
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life
After treatment for gingivitis, your symptoms should subside and disappear within a week or two. Make sure to follow all the instructions your dentist gives you so that you keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist, open on Saturday, is available if you have any severe pain or other troubling side effects following treatment.
Treatment for gingivitis and pregnancy gingivitis treatment isn’t complicated, but your health depends on you. After your dentist in the Bronx, New York provides the right treatment for you, do your part so that you don’t have to worry about gingivitis.
Do you have any questions about gingivitis treatment? For more information or to schedule an appointment with the best periodontist please contact our dentistry practice in the Bronx, NY for a consultation with our gingivitis treatment specialist.