Are you suffering from red and swollen gums? Do you notice bleeding while brushing?

Don’t self-diagnose gingivitis - go and see a dentist to confirm if you have an early form of gum disease.

If you’re back from the dentist and reading this to understand what’s going on with your teeth, here's what’s happening: gingivitis (the mild form of gum disease) usually happens over a long-term period when plaque builds up in your teeth and gums.

Plaque buildup on teeth and gums

So, it’s good that you’ve gone to the dentist to get it checked out. Untreated gingivitis could worsen and become a more severe stage of gum disease, causing permanent loss of teeth, bone and gums.

Is gingivitis permanent?

"90% of adult Singaporeans have some form of gum disease. The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis – an inflammation of the gums immediately surrounding the teeth. The first symptom of gingivitis is bleeding on brushing. In some cases, bad breath is noted, but pain is usually not a presenting symptom," explained Dr Dawn Siow, Associate Consultant from the Department of Restorative Dentistry at National Dental Centre of Singapore (NDCS), a member of the SingHealth group.

"Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible with proper oral hygiene and simple treatment like scaling and polishing," she added.

Good oral hygiene is vital for preventing gingivitis from happening again. To learn about gingivitis prevention, read this article.

Tips to manage gingivitis (mild gum disease)

Manage and recover effectively from gingivitis with these tips.

1. See a dentist to get an accurate diagnosis

Gingivitis (mild gum disease) management begins with checking your gums and teeth. Unsure what it looks like?

Common signs of gingivitis are red and swollen gums. It may not necessarily be all your gums - gum disease can affect just one tooth or all your teeth.

You should see a dentist or dental hygienist if you notice the following symptoms:

  • Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing

  • Tender gums

  • Swollen, shiny gums

  • Bright red or purplish gums

  • Ulcers

  • Bad breath 

How do dentists treat gingivitis?

Your dentist will check your teeth and gums before diagnosing you with gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, they will clean your teeth and teach you how to clean your teeth at home.

Here is what you can expect on your first visit:

  • Reviewing of medical history: Remember to bring your medical records during your first visit. Your dentist will check if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that could be contributing to gingivitis.

  • Examining teeth and gums: Your dentist will check your teeth, gums and mouth for swelling, plaque and tartar (the white stuff stuck to your teeth and gum line).

  • Measuring depth of gum pockets: Your dentist will use a gum probe (a special dentist tool) to measure the depth of the gap between your gums and teeth. Healthy teeth and gums usually have a pocket depth of around 3mm. If the measurement is more than 3mm, you might have gum disease.

  • Dental X-rays: Your dentist may schedule dental X-rays if they think you have bone loss. Bone loss means that the disease has affected your bones.

  • Professional mechanical plaque removal: Your dentist will perform professional mechanical plaque removal to remove dental plaque and tartar from deep pockets below your gum line.

2. Practise good oral hygiene

Gingivitis usually happens because of poor oral hygiene. After cleaning your teeth, your dentist will give you some oral care instructions. 

Follow your dentist's oral hygiene recommendations to treat any of the remaining inflammation from the disease and help your gums heal faster.

  • Brushing and flossing: For example, your dentist may recommend more frequent flossing and brushing with a soft toothbrush (soft bristles) and fluoride toothpaste. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily. 

    Do check your dentist first if you want to use dental floss picks, water flossers, and an electric toothbrush for better plaque removal. Different people have different teeth structures, and you may need a special kind of flosser to get all the food out properly.

    To learn the proper way 
    to floss your teeth, read this article.
    To learn the proper way to brush your teeth, read this article.

  • In addition to brushing and flossing, also use mouthwash: Mouthwash is great for killing bacteria, but that doesn’t mean it can replace brushing and flossing. You can rinse your mouth with mouthwash between meals, but you should still brush and floss your teeth daily.

Gingivitis symptoms such as gum bleeding can be scary and distressing, but the good news is it can be cured. Make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and keep your teeth and gums clean. 

Remember, the best cure for gingivitis is a healthy oral hygiene routine to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Ref: H24

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