subject: The Prevention And Treatment Of Gingivitis [print this page] Most people don't know about the prevention and treatment of gingivitis. Gingivitis is common and a mild form of periodontal disease, or gum disease. It causes swelling, inflammation, and irritation of the gums. Since it can be mild, you may have gingivitis without being aware of the condition. Gingivitis is not often painful at first, but you can have it without knowing it. Some symptoms and signs are swollen gums, receding gums, tender gums occasionally, gums bleed easily when brushing or flossing, change in color, and bad breath. Taking it seriously and treating promptly is very important.
Gingivitis not treated leads to a more serious disease of the gums called periodontitis and eventually tooth-loss. A common reason for gingivitis is improper oral hygiene. Regular checkups, flossing, and daily brushing will help to prevent gingivitis. Luckily, gingivitis is easily treated if identified early. Most all dentists recommend a regular checkup about every six months to discover if cavities, gingivitis, or other condition is present before causing other serious problems. Appointments should be scheduled if you notice any symptoms between visits. The quicker you get care; your chances are better for reversing any damage and preventing serious problems.
When to See a Dentist
Treatment begins with an appointment with your dental hygienist or dentist for a thorough cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar. When the plaque builds on your teeth for a long time it becomes a hard coating on your teeth called tartar. The cleaning process done for this tartar is known as scaling. If you have sensitive gums, speak to your dentist about your nervousness and he may suggest something to make the procedure more stress-free. Your gums could be sensitive after the scaling, but you will notice improvement after a few days. There are specialty flosses available for gums that are sensitive and for flossing around appliances and dental work. By removing the plaque with brushing twice-daily and flossing at least once, you prevent the recurrence of gingivitis. Your dentist may recommend an antiseptic to rinse your mouth to control bacteria for a while after the scaling. Working with the dentist will help in the prevention and treatment of gingivitis.
Causes of Gingivitis
The most frequent reason for gingivitis is bad oral hygiene that promotes the formation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky, invisible film made up mainly of bacteria. It forms on teeth when sugars and starches in your food react to bacteria found normally in the mouth. Flossing and brushing the teeth every day removes this plaque. Daily removal of plaque is required because of re-forming within 24 hours. If left on longer, the plaque hardens into tartar needing a dental professional cleaning.
Risk Factors for Gingivitis
Anyone can get gingivitis, but most people develop gum problems in puberty and in various degrees during life. Factors that increase the risk of gingivitis include; bad oral hygiene, use of tobacco, old age, diabetes, decrease in immunity, dry mouth, medications, viral infections, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, drug abuse, and dental restorations that that are ill-fitting. Gingivitis that goes untreated spreads to the underlying bone and tissue causing periodontitis, a more severe disease and leads to loss of teeth. Overall health is affected and is linked risk of lung disease, heart attack, and stroke. Those are several good reasons to know the prevention and treatment of Gingivitis.
