What Causes Gingivitis?

The most common reason for developing gingivitis is poor dental hygiene. If you haven’t been quite as vigilant as you should have about twice daily brushing and once-a-day flossing then you are far more likely to need gingivitis treatment. Failing to clean your teeth thoroughly will allow plaque to build up on your teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria that cause gingivitis and it can soon harden into calculus, which is a very hard substance that can only be removed by having your teeth professionally cleaned. It takes just a couple of days for plaque to harden into calculus and this can also happen if you regularly clean your teeth but are missing out certain areas of your mouth. The longer plaque and calculus are able to remain on your teeth, the greater the risk of infection and irritation in your gums. As well as poor oral hygiene habits, there are a number of other risk factors associated with gingivitis.

Who Is More at Risk of Developing Gingivitis?

You are more likely to need gingivitis treatment if you smoke, are older or have a disease that affects your immunity, for example HIV/AIDS or leukemia. Diabetics are more likely to develop gingivitis and aging can increase your risk (Read also: Diabetes and Gum Health). Women are more at risk of developing gingivitis at certain times due to hormonal changes. Wearing a poorly fitting dental appliance that traps plaque can increase your chances of developing gingivitis, as can taking certain medications that may cause dry mouth, a condition where you can’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth comfortable. The good news is, your gum disease has been caught early enough to be completely cured.

Gingivitis Treatment in New York

Your first step is to visit a good periodontist and you can phone up and make an appointment without requiring a referral from your dentist. You will find Dr. Navid Rahmani is an extremely gentle and thorough periodontist and he will be able to examine your gums to discover the extent of the infection. The next step will be to plan gingivitis treatment which is normally to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. If the infection is very mild he might suggest a regular scale and clean, but quite often gums will benefit from being deep cleaned, a treatment that will remove more bacteria and which is able to treat any tooth root surfaces that may have become exposed through gum recession. By following his aftercare instructions very carefully, you can ensure the disease will be completely eradicated.

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