Seeing Red when you brush or floss?
If you see pink on your toothbrush and your gums are swollen, you may be one of millions of Americans with gingivitis.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an infection of the gums caused by plaque. Many people don’t know they have it. Report red, swollen, or bleeding gums to Drs. Barbara or Katie Bell, Dr. Susan Rofe, or your dental hygienist.
The amount of gum tissue in your mouth is about equal to the amount of tissue on the palms of your hands. If your hands bled every time you cleaned them, this would be a cause for alarm! People often accept bleeding gums as normal because they have “always bled” when being brushed. This is NOT normal, and it is definitely NOT healthy.
Things you need to know about gingivitis
- 1 in 2 American adults has it; there’s a good chance you are one of them
- It’s usually painless; it can get worse if left untreated
- If left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which can result in both bone and tooth loss
What are signs of gingivitis?
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Redness
- Swollen gums
Do you have a higher risk of getting gingivitis?
There’s a greater chance that you may get gingivitis if you have any of these risk factors:
- Misaligned teeth
- Rough edges of fillings
- Ill-fitting or unclean mouth appliances such as braces, dentures, bridges, ore crowns
- Poor oral health habits leading to an unclean mouth
Don’t ingnore the signs. Talk to us at Barbara Bell DSS, PA today to find out what you can do about gingivitis.
