Though gum disease and gingivitis are often used interchangeably, the two terms describe different stages of the same condition. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is a warning sign, and it may be your last chance to reverse the condition and prevent subsequent dental damage. Once it becomes gum disease, your condition cannot be reversed, and you will need to undergo continuous periodontal maintenance to keep the disease and its symptoms at bay.
The Progression of Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an infection in your gums caused by the presence of excessive oral bacteria. If left untreated, the inflammation that marks gingivitis will grow worse and progress into gum disease. The best way to prevent gum disease from ravishing your smile is to prevent it from forming at all, or to treat gingivitis in its earliest stage, before it matures into gum disease. Otherwise, you may be at a significantly increased risk of tooth loss.
Save Your Smile from Gum Disease
Gum disease is often referred to as a silent epidemic because many of its symptoms remain undetected until its late stages. Yet, when it does become severe, gum disease can lead to a host of serious oral health complications, including tooth loss. In fact, because its symptoms can go unnoticed for so long, gum disease has become the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. If you notice that your gums seem irritated or inflamed, or if they bleed when you brush and floss your teeth, then schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible to find out if gingivitis or gum disease is present, and what you should do next.
Do You Need Gum Disease Treatment?
If you exhibit signs of gingivitis, then schedule a visit to ask your dentist if you need gum disease treatment. Call our office in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678. We proudly serve patients who live in Syosset, Long Island, Nassau, Suffolk, and surrounding New York City communities.
