Gingivitis

What Is Gingivitis?

 

If you’ve ever had the pain of swollen, bleeding gums that wouldn’t go away, you know what gingivitis feels like. This common gum disease can be caused by bacteria in plaque on your teeth, which can irritate and inflame your gums and eventually lead to tooth loss if left untreated, so knowing how to get rid of gingivitis is essential to maintaining your oral health. Gingivitis treatment typically consists of brushing and flossing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash, regular dental cleanings, and reducing sugar consumption to prevent future build up of plaque on your teeth.

 

Signs of Gingivitis

If you notice any of these symptoms, it could be an indication that you have gingivitis: Red, inflamed or bleeding gums. Sensitivity when biting down on foods or even regular foods. The feeling that there is something stuck between your teeth after brushing and flossing. Visible tartar build up in spots between teeth and at gum line (known as interdental tartar). Teeth may appear longer than normal. Your mouth feels a little more sensitive than usual when using mouthwash, brushing or eating/drinking hot beverages such as coffee, tea or soup. In many cases, gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment; however, severe gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease if left untreated.

 

Causes of Gingivitis

A Closer Look at Plaque-Induced Diseases : The cause of gingivitis is a build up of plaque around your gums, which is caused by bacteria that are constantly being introduced into your mouth. If you don’t keep your teeth and gums clean through good oral hygiene, you could develop periodontal disease as a result of not removing all that accumulated plaque. The best way to avoid both plaque build up and periodontal disease is to regularly brush and floss your teeth after every meal; having regular checkups with a dentist can also help. In extreme cases where poor dental health has already been established, laser gum treatment or surgical grafts might be needed.

 

Prevention

If you want to keep your gums healthy, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene and to maintain proper dental care. The CDC recommends brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing once a day, and cleaning between teeth daily with interdental cleaners if necessary. It also suggests limiting snacks that are high in sugar or starch—this means chips, crackers, cookies, candies and other junk food should be avoided as much as possible.

 

 

Treatment & Expected Outcomes

It’s common for gingiva to become red, swollen and have pus in response to a bacterial infection. When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more severe gum disease and eventual tooth loss. The good news is that there are many easy ways to treat gingivitis; keeping your mouth clean, using dental floss and brushing with fluoridated toothpaste will help you keep your gums healthy. If you experience any signs of soreness or pain around your teeth—and especially if you notice pus around your gums—it’s important to schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.

 

How to keep your gums healthy

Regardless of how meticulous you are about brushing and flossing your teeth, if you have gingivitis, it will show. Signs of a bad case of gingivitis include red or swollen gums that bleed when you brush them. The first step in treating gingivitis is to make sure that you’re not suffering from something more serious, like periodontal disease; see your dentist right away if any symptoms arise. If it’s simply gingivitis you’re dealing with, here are a few ways to treat it: 1) Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day—water helps reduce plaque that causes bleeding gums.