Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease, which affects the protective gum tissues that surround your teeth roots. It begins as an infection resulting from the buildup of harmful oral bacteria along your gum line. As it progresses, this infection and the resulting inflammation can lead to continuous damage to your gum tissues. In more severe cases of gum disease, that damage can diminish the supportive structures that uphold your teeth, leading to tooth loss by the time you seek treatment.
Because gingivitis and gum disease are caused by the presence of oral bacteria, the first step to treating your condition is to remove these harmful microbes. Periodontal cleaning (or scaling and root planing) involves carefully cleaning the bacteria off the surfaces of your teeth roots, underneath your gums, which allows your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth roots. If detected and treated early, gingivitis may be reversed, or at least controlled with routine periodontal maintenance to prevent it from progressing.
If you notice that gingivitis has developed, then seek treatment as soon as possible to stop it from progressing into severe gum disease. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.
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