Did you know that gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease? Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an oral health condition in which you have suffered severe infections in your gums surrounding your teeth. Oftentimes, this is caused by plaque. Even if you have optimum oral hygiene routines in place, you may have started to show signs of gum disease and are completely unaware of it. To help ensure that your smile is not suffering from any gum tissue infections, always inspect your gums on a daily basis to see if they look abnormal or regular and potentially need treatment.

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis often present themselves as irregularities within your gum tissue. This can include excessive redness or swelling that makes it appear as if you’re suffering from some sort of rash or extreme inflammation. Gingivitis can often be present if you are suffering from gum recession or bleeding gums. If you noticed that you are routinely suffering from bad breath and it continues to return despite treatments, you could be developing gingivitis. Always be on the lookout for any changes in the way your mouth is functioning and note any changes in your gums in relation to your teeth.

It’s also important to be aware of the causes of gingivitis that can make you more likely to develop the condition, including poor oral health habits involved with cleaning your mouth on a daily basis as well as poor lifestyle habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco. Furthermore, several risks factors including genetics, environmental factors, diabetes and pregnancy can all increase your likelihood of developing gingivitis.

Are there any remaining questions you have about gingivitis? To improve your smile with gingivitis prevention tips, you are welcome to schedule a visit to our dentist in Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Keith E. Kitchens and our team at Windward Dental Care look forward to upgrading your smile! To contact us, please call our office at 770-569-7580.