Gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease; its symptoms are mild at first, but if it’s left untreated, it could turn into a serious threat to your oral health. This is reason enough to be concerned, but do you also have to worry about passing the problem off to someone else? Is gingivitis actually contagious? Here is what you need to know to keep your family’s smiles safe.
What Causes Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an infection of the soft tissues that cover the roots of your teeth. It occurs when plaque and harmful bacteria are allowed to accumulate in your mouth, which can happen as a result of poor oral hygiene, overconsumption of sugar, and smoking. The infection is typically characterized by red and swollen gum tissue that tends to bleed easily.
Can You Spread Gingivitis to Other People?
In a sense, yes. The infection itself is not directly contagious, but the bacteria that cause it can be spread from person to person through the exchange of saliva. In other words, if you have gingivitis, then you could potentially transmit the bacteria responsible for the problem via actions such as kissing or sharing drinks. This could ultimately increase the other person’s risk of developing gingivitis themselves, particularly if they currently have poor oral health.
How Can Gingivitis Be Treated?
If you do not want to have to worry about spreading your gingivitis to your loved ones, then you should take steps to treat the issue as soon as possible. Milder cases of gingivitis can often be reversed with good oral hygiene habits. This naturally includes brushing for two minutes at least twice a day as well as flossing daily.
More advanced forms of gingivitis may call for a deep cleaning that consists of scaling and root planing. Scaling involves getting rid of the plaque and bacteria that have accumulated around and below the gumline. Meanwhile, root planing is the process of smoothing out the roots of the teeth, which helps prevent future bacterial buildup.
Until your gingivitis has been properly treated, you should make an effort to avoid kissing or any other actions that can spread saliva to other people. This will help minimize the risk of accidentally sharing harmful oral bacteria. By taking the right precautions, you can protect the smiles of the people you care about while you get your own oral health back on track!
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Barry is a native of Arvada who is proud to be able to provide quality dental care to his community. He studied dentistry at Creighton University, and he has training in a variety of dental fields, including periodontics. At West Arvada Family Dental, he is able to offer scaling and root planing as a solution for gum disease. If you think you might have gingivitis, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Barry by visiting his website or calling (720) 776-4900.