Gingivitis Symptoms

When it comes to improving the overall appearance of your smile, it’s obvious that having great looking teeth is important. What many patients need to realize, however, is that the health of the gums is just as important. If you develop gum disease, it can lead to a number of aesthetic issues with your smile, and it can also result in major problems with your teeth down the road. The team here at our Boston cosmetic dentistry office would like to briefly discuss the symptoms of gingivitis and what can be done about gum disease.

There are different stages of gum disease that identify what level it has progressed to. The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. If gingivitis does not get treated, it can then lead to periodontitis, which is more serious.

The basic symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding gums, swelling of the gums, and discoloration of the gums. Some people who have gingivitis may also notice some mild gum pain. What occurs next is early stage periodontitis. Essentially this involves the gums receding around the teeth and the symptoms of gingivitis becoming more severe. When gums recede, part of the root structure of a tooth becomes exposed, which means the possibility of tooth decay forming beneath the gumline. Later stages of periodontitis can result in tooth misalignment, tooth loss, severe discomfort, and can even affect the jawbone.

The best way to prevent gum disease from occurring is to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss every night. This will remove any food particles and plague that can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis. If you already have gingivitis or periodontitis, it’s important that you visit our office to discuss the various options available for gum disease treatment.

For more information on how to prevent gum disease, tooth decay treatments such as Boston dental fillings, or what treatments may be right for you to combat currently existing gum disease, contact Boston cosmetic dentist Dr. James M. Stein today.