Gingivitis is one of the most common dental conditions, affecting nearly half of adults aged 30 and older. The good news? As long as it's caught early, it's completely treatable. By understanding the most common symptoms of gingivitis and when to see your dentist, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Common Symptoms of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that occurs when plaque accumulates along the gum line. Over time, this results in red and inflamed gums that may bleed easily. If you've noticed bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss, this is a telltale sign of gingivitis. However, even if your gums aren't bleeding, you could still have gingivitis if your gums appear red and puffy.

Treatment Options

Fortunately, gum disease can be quickly diagnosed by a dentist and treated immediately with a deep cleaning. This cleaning will remove the plaque and build-up from the gum line, restoring the health and appearance of your gums. You may experience some discomfort and inflammation around the gums immediately after the cleaning, but this should subside quickly. When healed, your gums should appear pink and not inflamed; you should also not experience any additional bleeding when brushing or flossing.

After treatment, you can prevent the recurrence of gingivitis by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. Your dentist may also recommend a mouthwash specifically formulated to protect against gingivitis or other gum problems. This may be a prescription mouthwash or something you can pick up at your local pharmacy.

Gingivitis or Something More?

Gingivitis is just one type of gum disease. Thankfully, it is also the least serious and the most easily treatable. However, when gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria that accumulate under the gum line can eventually reach the bone structures that support the teeth. This is known as periodontal disease, which is treatable but not curable. Any bone that is damaged will not heal, which can lead to permanent tooth loss and other symptoms over time.

Periodontal disease occurs in four stages, so the earlier you can have it diagnosed, the better your chances for treatment will be (and the less likely you will be to experience permanent tooth loss).

If you're having symptoms of gingivitis, it's best to see a dentist right away to ensure that you're not actually suffering from periodontal disease. Don't put off seeing a dentist until your next scheduled visit, as gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease rather quickly.