Gingivitis Treatment Dentist Q&A

Gingivitis occurs when specific bacteria and toxins produced from plaque irritate and inflame the gums surrounding your teeth. Thus, to properly treat gingivitis, a dentist will provide a thorough cleaning of your teeth, which will involve scaling and root planing to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surface of your teeth and from under your gumline. This process will also smooth the root surfaces of your teeth and hinder the further build-up of plaque, tartar, and bacteria.

Sometimes the alignment of one’s teeth or poorly fitting crowns or bridges makes it difficult to properly remove plaque on a day-to-day basis, causing one to be at frequent risk of developing gingivitis. In these cases, a dentist may treat gingivitis with dental restoration to enable more accessible care of one’s teeth.

Since gingivitis is often an ongoing issue, it is essential to have regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist, in addition to proper at-home hygienic care of your teeth.

While there are many at-home remedies for gingivitis, none are as thorough and effective as going to a dentist for careful cleaning of your teeth. As such, if you think you have gingivitis, the first step in your fight against it should be to go to a dentist. All at-home remedies should serve to complement the services of your dentist, rather than serve as a substitute. We would be happy to provide thorough care for gingivitis at Great Smiles Family Dentistry for you and your whole family.

If your gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, causing your gums to recede, there are many ways we can help restore your gums, including antibiotic therapy, scaling and root planing, and more. In addition to our periodontal services, you can also instill some at-home remedies into your daily routine to help rebuild your gums. These include using eucalyptus oil, rinsing your mouth with salt water, drinking green tea, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing, taking omega-3 fatty acids, and Aloe Vera, to name a few!

The cost of gingivitis treatment will mostly depend on how advanced your condition is. If your condition only requires routine cleaning, the price will come in around $50 to $100. For scaling and root planning, the national average is between $140 and $300 per quadrant. If you require active periodontal therapy, the cost is approximately $75 per tooth. Depending on your specific dental insurance plan, your benefits provider may cover all or a portion of your treatment. Check in with your insurance provider to see what they will cover concerning gingivitis. For our part at Great Smiles Family Dentistry, we accept most major health insurance, providers.

We welcome you to come to Great Smiles Family Dentistry if you require treatment for gingivitis! To book an appointment with us, you can call us, or you can schedule an appointment on our website. You can find our dental clinic at the convenient location of 4646 Nantuckett Drive Toledo, OH 43623. We serve patients from Toledo OH, Oregon OH, Ottawa Hills OH, Moline OH, Woodhurst OH, Harbor View OH, and Shoreland OH. Our clinic is open during the following hours:

• Monday to Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM