Posted: December 9, 2015
Gingivitis is a common type of gum disease in its early stages.
Gingivitis starts with gum inflammation, which may cause your gums to bleed while brushing. If you often see blood while brushing, contact Dr. Paul Sussman and Dr. Meredith Pogal.
Since early signs of gum disease are mild (bad breath is a sign of gingivitis) and painless, they're often overlooked by the untrained eye. Regular checkups help you catch gum disease before it progresses.
Although the gums are inflamed in the early stages of gingivitis, the damage is reversible. In the early stages, your gums may also be swollen, soft, or puffy. They may also start to recede.
Receding gums may be a sign that your gum disease is progressing. You may also notice that your gums are a dusky red. Your gum discoloration may be localized, which gives an irritated appearance of a certain tooth. It also may be spread across a larger area.
In later stages of gum disease, the tooth (or teeth) becomes poorly anchored as the body's enzymes attack the tissue holding them. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Seeing your dentist every six months for routine professional cleanings and regular checkups is one of the best ways to prevent and diagnose gingivitis. If you're in the Rochester area, please contact our experienced dentistry staff at 585-227-4390 to schedule an appointment.
