Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease that has no single cause and is preventable. It is typified by persistent inflammation of the gums, though individual symptoms may be transient. Due to the number of complications, including minor and severe ones, it is important to make the effort to prevent gingivitis. The necessary steps of prevention for an individual are best understood by assessing the individual’s risks. Even if the condition has progressed enough to result in complications, an emergency dentist in Roseville can help.

Reducing the Risks
There is a wide range of risk factors, so identifying an individual’s risk is the first step to preserving oral health. Many will experience gingivitis in their lives, and understanding the risks can help pinpoint the cause and prevent complications from the spread of inflammation. Common risks include:

* hormonal changes, especially due to puberty and pregnancy
* untreated diabetes
* medications that alter hormones, such as birth control
* infections or toxin exposure that cause inflammation, including heavy metals, smoking, and general illness
* oral trauma, such as overly vigorous hygiene
* poor diet and/or micro-nutrient deficiencies

Oral hygiene is typically reduced to brushing and flossing twice a day, though this offers insufficient protection for many people. Misaligned teeth can interfere with the effectiveness of hygiene. Hence, it is important to include annual visits to the dentist as part of proper hygiene. A dentist can help in identifying problem areas and provide information on ways to address these areas.

Complications of Gingivitis
In the past, gingivitis was largely seen as a cosmetic problem, and the complications were ascribed to other conditions. It is increasingly clear that overall health is tightly related to oral health, as research has uncovered a number of linkages between gingivitis and heart disease, pregnancy complications, and lung disease. With new research, it is possible that further links will be found between oral health and chronic diseases. The known complications include:

* recurring symptoms
* progression to periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss, damage to ligaments, and destruction of bone
* abscess or infection of gums or jaw bone, which leads to further complications
* ulcers and gum infections, which may lead to profuse bleeding, pain, persisting fevers, and chronic bad breath

When to See an Emergency Dentist
An annual visit to the dentist for cleaning is important to prevention, but an emergency dentist in Roseville can help at any stage of the disease. Some people avoid seeing the dentist due to the cost, and this is understandable in hard economic times, but the costs of treating advanced gingivitis and correcting damage from complications will be higher than preventive cleaning.

The symptoms of gingivitis are easy to spot. Gums that appear swollen, shiny, or bright red to red-purple are an early sign. Gum tenderness or bleeding during normal hygiene is another warning sign. A Roseville dentist can address early signs before they become larger, more expensive problems. If any of the above complications have already appeared, it is important to see an emergency dentist immediately.