Gingivitis is a common (yet preventable) form of gum disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The condition is often characterised by inflammation, redness and bleeding gums and is often the result of poor oral hygiene habits. This is why it’s so important to seek out proper care and treatment for gingivitis as soon as you have a diagnosis.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more severe forms of gum disease like periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss and other oral health complications if not addressed properly. In some cases, inadequate dental treatment may also exacerbate your condition further, which could amount to dental negligence in some instances.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best treatments for gingivitis and show you how to reduce your risk of developing the condition. We’ll also cover what you should do if you believe your gum health has been harmed as a result of dental negligence.
If you’d like to go straight to starting your dental claim, we’ll be happy to help – please get in touch with our expert team here for more information.
Understanding Gingivitis: The Basics
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, which is usually caused by a buildup of plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums after eating – according to British charity Action On Sugar, plaque begins to form in as little as twenty minutes after consuming food.
Plaque is usually removed by brushing and flossing your teeth every day. If the plaque isn’t removed adequately, it will harden into another substance called tartar, which can then only be removed by professional dental cleaning. The bacteria in plaque and tartar also irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and bleeding.
The most common signs of gingivitis include:
- Swollen or puffy looking gums
- Bright red or purple coloured gums
- Bleeding gums – particularly when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Receding gums
You might also experience these symptoms with the later stages of gum disease.
If you spot any of the early signs of gum disease, it’s crucial that you seek treatment promptly from your dentist. An incorrect diagnosis or improper treatment by a dental professional can lead to your gingivitis progressing into a non-reversible form of the condition. This could constitute dental negligence if your dentist has not treated you properly.
Why is Delaying Treatment for Gingivitis So Damaging?
Ignoring the signs of gingivitis can have serious consequences for your overall health. If left untreated, the condition can progress to periodontal disease, a more advanced form of gum disease that can damage both the bones and the soft tissues supporting your teeth. Periodontal disease may degrade the appearance of your smile and result in tooth loss, as well as potentially being linked to systemic health issues like heart disease or diabetes.
Some studies have even shown that there is a specific link between heart disease and gum disease (as well as a range of other health conditions). This highlights the importance of sourcing the appropriate treatment for gingivitis as soon as your symptoms emerge.
In some cases, you may find that you attend your dental surgery with the symptoms of gingivitis, only to have your concerns dismissed. Failing to provide the appropriate care and treatment for gingivitis could be classed as dental negligence – especially if it leads to further complications or the condition worsening later on in life.
If you believe that your dentist has failed to diagnose or treat a dental condition properly, you may have serious grounds for opening a dental negligence claim against them. Find out more about how to prove dental negligence in our expert guide.
What Are the Best Treatments for Gingivitis?
It’s important to take preventative steps when sourcing the best treatments for gingivitis, as this approach may help you avoid the condition completely. The good news is that the gingivitis stage of gum disease is reversible if proper care is taken, so being diagnosed with gingivitis isn’t necessarily something to worry about.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most effective treatments and procedures for managing and eliminating gingivitis. However, we still recommend speaking to a trusted dental professional to find out which form of treatment is best for your current health needs.
1. Professional Dental Cleaning
When searching for treatment for gingivitis, the first step is usually to see a dental hygienist for professional dental cleaning (sometimes known as scaling). During this procedure, your dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, cleaning your mouth out effectively. This process helps to eliminate the bacteria causing the inflammation and allows your gums to heal in the meantime.
Regular professional dental cleaning is essential for preventing gingivitis from turning into the later stages of gum disease, although you may have to pay more for a cleaning session (this is usually dependent on the amount of plaque and tartar in your mouth).
However, if your dentist fails to recommend or perform the required dental cleaning when you have visible signs of gum disease, this could be classed as negligent care. In these circumstances, you may be able to bring a dental claim against your dentist.
2. Improve Your Oral Hygiene Practices
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is the cornerstone of treatment for gingivitis. You should follow these steps:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Floss daily or use an interproximal brush to remove any plaque between your teeth.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the number of bacteria (you should wait to use mouthwash for 30 minutes after brushing your teeth).
Your dentist should provide you with clear instructions on the proper oral hygiene techniques to follow. If they fail to provide the appropriate advice and your condition gets worse as a result, this could be considered a case of dental negligence.
3. Antibacterial Treatments
In some cases, your dentist may recommend specific antibacterial treatments to combat the bacteria that is causing your gingivitis. These treatments may include:
- Antibacterial mouth rinses and mouthwashes
- Antibiotic gels or chips, which are placed in the gum pockets
- Oral antibiotics for severe dental infections
It’s worth pointing out that if your dentist prescribes inappropriate or unnecessary treatments that make your condition worse, this could also be classed as dental negligence.
4. Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle factors can contribute to a higher risk of gingivitis and gum disease, including smoking tobacco, eating a poor diet, drinking alcohol to excess and stress. Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, reducing your alcohol intake and managing stress can all help to improve your gum health, as well as your overall well-being.
Your dentist should advise you on which lifestyle changes you should make as part of your treatment plan. Failing to provide comprehensive care in this way could be perceived as a breach of your dentist’s duty of care, which may make you eligible for a dental negligence claim.
5. Regular Dental Checkups
Routine dental visits and regular checkups are an essential part of preventing and managing gingivitis, as well as a range of other oral health conditions. During these appointments, your dentist can monitor your gum health, provide professional teeth cleaning (if required) and catch any issues early, which can be particularly important in cases of oral cancer and gum disease.
If your dentist ignores the signs of gingivitis (or another health issue) during your dental visits, this could be classed as negligent behaviour.
How Can I Reduce My Risk of Developing Gingivitis?
At the Dental Law Partnership, we believe that prevention is always better than cure, so reducing your chances of developing gingivitis should be a major health priority. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your gums healthy:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss your teeth or use an interproximal brush every day
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Avoid tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption
- Eat a balanced diet full of nutrients
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings
If you follow these steps and you start to spot the signs of gum disease or gingivitis due to inadequate dental care or dental negligence, you may have a valid dental malpractice claim.
When to Seek Legal Advice for Dental Negligence
It’s important to note that most cases of gingivitis can be effectively treated with proper care However, there are several instances in which dental negligence may play a role. For example:
- If your dentist fails to diagnose gingivitis promptly
- If your dentist fails to provide proper treatment for gingivitis
- Failing to provide proper aftercare instructions
- Failing to gain informed dental consent before treatment
- If your gingivitis was misdiagnosed as another condition
If you believe that your condition has been escalated or left untreated due to a negligent dentist, we recommend seeking out legal advice as soon as possible. Our expert team of dental negligence solicitors can help you determine whether you have a case and guide you through the process of seeking compensation, which could help you move on with your life.
How Can a Dental Negligence Solicitor Help You?
Opening a dental negligence claim against your dentist may help you to move on with your life and claim compensation for any physical dental injuries, psychological issues or financial losses you may have suffered as a result.
Dental negligence cases are often complex, often requiring expert evidence to prove that your dentist breached their duty of care responsibilities and caused your dental condition to worsen. However, using a trusted dental negligence solicitor firm can help you:
- Assess the merits of your case.
- Gather evidence for your claim, including obtaining your dental records and expert opinions on your behalf.
- Negotiate with the dental practice and the negligent dentist (as well as their insurers).
- Represent you in court (if necessary – most cases are resolved during the negotiation stage).
If you’ve suffered as a direct result of dental negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the following types of damages:
- Additional dental treatment costs (if corrective treatments are required)
- Loss of earnings
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Psychological harm
Most cases will include more than one of these factors, but it’s important to remember that every situation is different, so we can’t advise on the exact amount of compensation you’ll receive should your claim be successful. However, our Client Stories page may help show you how much compensation you could be entitled to in similar cases.
We also work on a purely conditional basis with a no-win, no-fee guarantee, which ensures that you will pay nothing if your claim is not successful.
Say Goodbye to Gingivitis and Dental Negligence
We hope this blog has given you a greater understanding of the best treatments for gingivitis. It’s a common but treatable condition that usually requires prompt and proper care to prevent the disease from developing further.
By maintaining good oral hygiene habits, attending your regular dental checkups and following any advice given by your dentist, you may be able to both prevent and reverse gingivitis. However, if your condition has been exacerbated due to inadequate or negligent dental care, you may have grounds for a dental negligence claim.
Our team of dental solicitors can provide you with expert legal advice for your case, helping you to understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve – find out more about the dental negligence claims process here.
If you’d like to get started with your claim, we’ll be happy to help – please contact our team on 0800 152 2035 or request a callback today.