Gum disease is incredibly common. Did you know that nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 have it at some severity? Many people don’t even realize that they have gum disease because the early symptoms aren’t always obvious. Fortunately, with modern technology, this can change. At-home gingivitis tests may be available in the near future! Continue reading to learn more about gingivitis, how testing works, and your treatment options.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease. It develops when plaque and bacteria build up along the gumline, resulting in inflammation. Most of the time, this is a result of poor oral hygiene, but other factors can also play a role, like certain health conditions and medications. The symptoms are mild at first, like swollen gums, gum tenderness, and bleeding when flossing. Many people overlook these symptoms, so the condition progresses.
When left to progress, gingivitis can develop into the more advanced stage of gum disease: periodontitis. This is an infection of the soft tissue of the mouth. It can result in permanent gum recession, halitosis, loose teeth, tooth loss, and jawbone atrophy. Many of these effects cannot be reversed.
How Could You Test for Gingivitis at Home?
Thanks to a recent scientific breakthrough, home tests for gingivitis may be available soon! Engineers at the University of Cincinnati discovered a way to detect gingivitis by finding endotoxins located in the saliva. These toxins are created by the bacteria responsible for gingivitis. By testing and becoming aware of gingivitis early on, more people will be able to take steps in its early stages and prevent it from progressing to periodontitis.
How Is Gingivitis Treated?
Keeping up an excellent oral hygiene routine at home and through your regular dental office is necessary to keep gum disease at bay. On top of that, there are various gum disease treatment options to address the various stages of gum disease by attacking harmful bacteria and promoting healing. Here are some common solutions.
- Scaling & Root Planing: This is a two-step process used to tackle gum disease. The first step involves the removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline with dental tools. For the second step, your dentist will smooth down the roots of the teeth so the gums can reattach more easily.
- Laser Periodontal Therapy: For this gum disease treatment method, a soft-tissue laser is used to remove severely damaged and infected gum tissue to give the gums a chance to heal. The laser cauterizes the tissue along the way, eliminating the need for sutures, scalpels, and long recovery time.
At-home gingivitis tests may not be that far in the future! Until then, continue to see your dentist regularly. This way, you can prevent the negative effects of gum disease.
About the Practice
At Westgate Dental Care, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Arlington Heights area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. If you are struggling with gum disease, we would be happy to take a look and discuss your treatment options! To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (847) 577-7171.