Bacteria that go unchecked in your mouth can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. If you brush your teeth and see blood, or you still have foul breath after brushing, you could have gingivitis. Dr. Frank Romano of Romano Dental serves clients in Bridgeport, CT to help them detect and prevent gingivitis.
What’s Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a gum disease. It is marked by chronic inflammation caused by the presence of harmful bacteria that are introduced to your teeth and gums when you eat sugary or starchy foods, drink soda, or sports drinks. Even coffee, tea, or alcohol can cause gum disease and gingivitis. Regular brushing and flossing will help keep gingivitis at bay, but it often creeps up on us when we’ve gotten lax with our diet, we forget to brush as often as we should, or we’re too busy to take care of our dental health. Gingivitis can also be worsened by smoking.
Signs that You May Have Gingivitis
Dr. Romano can help you determine if you have gingivitis if you live in Bridgeport, CT, but there are some additional signs you can look out for including bleeding gums when you brush or floss, red or swollen gums, bad breath, and receding gums (gums that appear to move away from the teeth, exposing more of the root).
How Can You Correct Gingivitis?
There are several proactive measures you can take to correct the damage to teeth and gums that is caused by gingivitis, as well as proper steps to be sure that your gums stay healthy in the future. Dr. Romano will determine if you need scaling or a professional cleaning where plaque that’s loaded with bacteria is scraped from your teeth. In some cases, you may require the removal of an infected or damaged tooth and bone so that further damage doesn’t spread to other areas of the mouth. He can also discuss lifestyle changes to help you combat gingivitis, like eating healthily and practicing better oral hygiene by carrying a toothbrush, floss, and bacteria-controlling mouthwash with you when you travel or are on the go. You can also determine if habits like smoking are contributing to your gingivitis, and ways to stop it.
When you’re ready to have a clean mouth, fresh breath, and healthy gums, contact Dr. Romano to schedule an initial appointment at 203-372-0881 in Bridgeport, CT. He and his staff will help you to detect, reverse, and prevent gum disease.