(412) 854-2310
With fall here and winter right around the corner, many people are already doing their best to protect themselves before the official start of cold and flu season begins. But while extra steps like applying sanitizer, getting a flu shot, and wearing a mask all may help avoid illness, there’s another danger that could cause chaos if you aren’t careful to prevent it. Here’s how you can get the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, from others, and what you can do to stop the spread!
What Causes Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, which is a bacterial infection of the periodontal tissue. Thankfully, in most cases the condition is completely reversible. In fact, eliminating it is often as easy as improving your at-home oral hygiene routine.
While there are many things that cause gingivitis, in most cases it is due to poor oral hygiene, but it can also develop if you smoke or vape, take certain medications, are genetically predisposed, or it can even be passed from person to person by sharing utensils, cups, and toothbrushes!
What are the Warning Signs of Gingivitis?
Although it can be difficult to diagnose any stage of periodontal disease on your own, early warning signs of gingivitis include bleeding when you brush and floss, and red, tender, or swollen gums.
How Can You “Catch” Gingivitis?
While it may seem strange, gingivitis can often be transmitted from person to person by spreading s. mutans bacteria from an infected mouth to a healthy one. The good news is that if you presently take good care of your smile, you can easily kill off these dangerous critters with regular brushing and flossing, but if you have poor oral hygiene already, they could easily thrive in your mouth!
How Can You Prevent Gingivitis?
Preventing gingivitis is a lot easier than you might think. To do so, simply ensure the following steps are part of your regular routine:
- Don’t share cups, utensils, or oral hygiene tools that could transfer saliva from one person to another but be sure to brush and floss your teeth well if you do!
- Take care of your teeth regularly by brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
- Visit your dentist every six months for your regular checkups and cleanings.
How Can I Treat Gingivitis?
The good news is that with a little elbow grease, you can often completely reverse gingivitis and prevent it from advancing to periodontitis, which is much harder to treat and could result in permanent tooth loss. Simply maintain the excellent oral hygiene practices mentioned above, and if the signs and symptoms of the condition don’t clear up within two to three weeks, contact your dentist for help.
Remember, although it’s usually reversible, gingivitis can easily spread from person to person if you’re not careful. Thus, be sure to avoid dangerous habits like sharing utensils, and take extra care of your own teeth and gums to help eliminate bacteria to keep your smile looking and feeling its best!
About Our Practice
At Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh, our trio of skilled and caring dentists want you to have a healthy, beautiful, disease-free smile. If you are experiencing any of the dangerous signs of gingivitis or periodontitis, don’t wait for this condition to rob you of your teeth and gums. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for gum disease treatment, by visiting our website or calling 412-854-2310.