{"id":181,"date":"2022-02-07T21:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T21:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=181"},"modified":"2022-03-23T16:09:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T16:09:06","slug":"is-gingivitis-contagious-gum-disease-prevent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/07\/is-gingivitis-contagious-gum-disease-prevent\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Gingivitis Contagious?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It\u2019s common knowledge that if a person has a cold or the flu that you should be careful about being close to them if you want to stay healthy. These and many other well-known sicknesses are contagious and can spread from person to person if you\u2019re not careful. However, have you ever wondered if oral health conditions are contagious? After all, gum disease and gingivitis<\/a> are caused by bacteria. Read on to learn more about this common oral health issue and what you can do to keep your smile healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Gingivitis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brushing and flossing every day is important for more than just preventing cavities. When plaque and bacteria build up in the mouth, they can infect the gums and cause gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. At this point, the infection causes inflammation and redness in the gums. It\u2019s also often accompanied by tenderness, and you may notice that your gums bleed easily when brushed or flossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most cases of gingivitis are mild and can be reversed, leaving it untreated can allow it to progress to periodontitis. This next stage of gum disease cannot be reversed and can cause permanent gum damage and tooth loss, so it\u2019s essential that you keep it from developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Gingivitis Contagious?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since gingivitis is caused by bacteria, it can indeed be passed from person to person. Much like the common cold or flu, you could potentially contract gingivitis if you are exposed to the bacteria in their saliva. This includes kissing, sharing utensils, sharing drinks, and sharing toothbrushes. Fortunately, studies indicate that gingivitis doesn\u2019t spread very easily, so you are somewhat unlikely to \u201ccatch\u201d gingivitis from your loved ones or vice versa. However, those with poor oral health or weakened immune systems (like babies) are more susceptible to the spread of gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, it\u2019s best to avoid kissing or sharing objects that go in your mouth until it\u2019s been treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Keeping Gum Disease at Bay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though gingivitis is not highly contagious, it is incredibly common. Many experts estimate that more than have of the US population has some level of gum disease. So what can you do to keep your smile healthy? Here are a few of the best ways to keep gum disease at bay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n