Gingivitis or periodontal

Hi my name's Melissa and I want to know do I have gingivitis or periodontal disease when I floss in the morning my gums bleed and my gums are like a little swollen in some parts they are a pink with a little reddish color and certain areas of my gums are a dark color like black but not really black and when I floss sometimes a piece of my tooth would break off at the bottom and my brother says that my breath smells really bad and sometimes I can smell it too also (I was really embarrassed to tell you that) eveyrtime I try to brush and use mouth wash and floss my breath still smells very bad just with a little freshness added to it but anyways is there a way I can get rid of this at home really fast because I'm 19 trying to get dental insurance I have never been to a dentist before a day in my life Thanks Melissa

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Answer: Gingivitis or Periodontal

By Sarah h
Dental Professional

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gingiva or gums.  Approximately 80% of the adult population has some form of periodontal disease.  If your gums are bleeding when brushing and flossing, more than likely you have some degree of peridontal issue.  Gum tissue turns red and swells as an immune response, just like when you cut your arm or leg and it gets infected.  The same thing is happening in your mouth.  It is extremely important for you to seek dental treatment as soon as possible.  Many dental offices offer new patient specials that include exam and full mouth xrays for a discounted rate. It is  good idea to have the situation assessed, even prior to finding dental insurance.  If you have a gum infection sometimes an oral antibiotic is prescribed in order to reduce the amount of bacteria prior to treatment.  Unfortunately, there is no home quick fix.  You will most definitely need to have your teeth professionaly cleaned by a dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar both above and below the gumline.  It is unfortunate that you have never received dental treatment, however you can be aware of and make the change moving forward.  More than likely the bad odor you are smelling will subside dramatically once your teeth have a series of professional cleanings. When flossing, it may or may not be parts of your tooth that have chipped.  Sometimes, this is tartar or calculus that is a hardened substance on the outside of the tooth, due to improper removal and cleaning.  That will be determined by the dentist upon examination and with radiographs of your teeth.  He/she will also check all hard and soft tissues within the mouth to ensure you are cavity free and soft tissues are within normal limits. 

No profile picture

Answer: Gingivitis or Periodontal

By Sarah h
Dental Professional

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gingiva or gums.  Approximately 80% of the adult population has some form of periodontal disease.  If your gums are bleeding when brushing and flossing, more than likely you have some degree of peridontal issue.  Gum tissue turns red and swells as an immune response, just like when you cut your arm or leg and it gets infected.  The same thing is happening in your mouth.  It is extremely important for you to seek dental treatment as soon as possible.  Many dental offices offer new patient specials that include exam and full mouth xrays for a discounted rate. It is  good idea to have the situation assessed, even prior to finding dental insurance.  If you have a gum infection sometimes an oral antibiotic is prescribed in order to reduce the amount of bacteria prior to treatment.  Unfortunately, there is no home quick fix.  You will most definitely need to have your teeth professionaly cleaned by a dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar both above and below the gumline.  It is unfortunate that you have never received dental treatment, however you can be aware of and make the change moving forward.  More than likely the bad odor you are smelling will subside dramatically once your teeth have a series of professional cleanings. When flossing, it may or may not be parts of your tooth that have chipped.  Sometimes, this is tartar or calculus that is a hardened substance on the outside of the tooth, due to improper removal and cleaning.  That will be determined by the dentist upon examination and with radiographs of your teeth.  He/she will also check all hard and soft tissues within the mouth to ensure you are cavity free and soft tissues are within normal limits. 

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