Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the number one cause of tooth loss for people so it is something everyone needs to be aware of. Even individuals that take good care of their teeth can suffer from gingivitis due to genetics. Changes in the body such as diabetes and pregnancy can make a person more prone to gingivitis as well. It is important to be aware of the early signs of it though so it can be prevented. It is harder to treat as it continues to progress.
Gingivitis occurs when plaque and tartar build up between the teeth and the gum line. This is why it is so important to brush properly and to floss. Too many individuals don’t think it is essential to floss if they brush twice a day and use mouthwash regularly too. As the bacteria affects the gums it gets into the bones of the teeth. This can cause them to shift, loosen, and eventually fall out if it isn’t taken care of.
Gingivitis also causes the gums to become red and inflamed. This can be very painful and you should seek the attention of a dentist immediately for assistance. The number one cause of gingivitis is not brushing or flossing as you should. You may be surprised to find out that your way of brushing isn’t working well. Sometimes your dentist will recommend changing to a different type of toothbrush as well.
Gingivitis is not something to take lightly. Too many people wait until it has progressed before they seek the assistance of a dentist. By then they may have no choice but to remove the teeth. There is no reason to suffer with the pain caused by gingivitis when there are so many advances in dental care available. Many of them will work with you for payments if you don’t have dental insurance coverage.
There are several different types of treatments that can be implemented for gingivitis. It really depends on the assessment of the individual. The earlier that treatment begins the less intense it will need to be. Most dental offices will schedule an appointment where they will do probing and x-rays. This information lets them know what stage of gingivitis you are at so they can devise a good treatment plan for you.
Gingivitis Mouthwash
In order to help reduce your risk of gingivitis you should use a very good mouthwash. You may have discovered there are several different brands on the market to choose from. You will really need to pay attention to the ingredients that they contain if you want to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Some people choose the store brands over the name brands because they are cheaper.
Doing so may save you money at the store, but it can cost you in the long run when you pay for your dental care. Make sure any mouthwash that you use contains both cetylpridinium chloride and domiphen bromide. These chemicals are in there to reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth.
A common problem with mouthwashes though for people is the taste. Many of them contain alcohol that burns. Children often don’t like the taste of it so they either don’t use it at all or they only use it for a couple of seconds. There are some newer options of gingivitis mouthwash on the market though that do work well without the burn of alcohol. Some of them have great flavors offered such as citrus.
Many dentists will recommend something stronger than over the counter mouthwashes for patients with chronic gingivitis. One option is to rinse with folic acid as it has been shown in various studies to reduce the amount of plaque considerably. A very affordable option is to use hydrogen peroxide to rinse your mouth with. It is best to do this after your teeth have been cleaned and all of the bacteria completely removed.
There are some types of prescription mouthwashes out there too that can be recommended. Some of them leave a metallic taste in the mouth and they can stain teeth. However, they can really help to reduce the amount of plaque in the mouth. For those that have a problem even though they brush and floss well this could be the solution.
Not all mouthwashes are the same though so do yourself a favor and read the labels. Too many people depend on mouthwash just to help their breath smell better. Yet there are plenty of other benefits to it such as preventing gingivitis that you should be looking for as well.
Gingivitis Symptoms
Sometimes proper brushing and flossing isn’t enough to offset the development of gingivitis. As a result a person can start to experience various symptoms that they should not ignore. Even if they come and go, you should be aware that this is just the start of gingivitis. If you take the time to consult with a dentist early on you can save yourself a great deal of pain and dental problems in the future.
The most common sign of gingivitis is redness of the gums. They may be swollen and tender to the touch. Often this goes away in a couple of days but that doesn’t mean the gingivitis isn’t developing under the surface of the gums. In more severe cases a person may develop sores in their mouth as well.
For those with more advanced forms of gingivitis, the pain doesn’t go away on the gums. This can lead to even more dental problems because it is often very painful to brush the teeth or to floss. Most people with such severe gum problems don’t want a dentist to touch them as they know it is going to hurt. They are often embarrassed as well for the dentist to see their teeth in such a state.
Bleeding gums are something to be very careful with as well. Sometimes it is just an indicator that you are applying too much pressure when you brush. It can also need you need to change to a softer toothbrush. Still yet, bleeding gums can be a definite sign that you are suffering from gingivitis.
As the gingivitis continues to progress, you will suffer from gum lines receding away from the teeth. This is a very serious symptom that you need to see a dentist about. If you let it continue your teeth will become very loose. Over time they will shift and then fall out due to the lack of support for the bone.
If you experience any of these symptoms you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. Don’t wait until your next scheduled cleaning because there is a great deal of damage to your teeth and gums that can occur during that span of time. If you don’t see a dentist on a regular basis it is never too late to start.
Preventing Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that is very serious. It can be painful and result in teeth being loose and then falling out. The treatment for gingivitis is very painful and expensive. The best course of action though is to do all you can to prevent it from happening. People have to make sure they pay attention to their oral hygiene needs. It can be easy to go to bed without brushing at night due to being exhausted, but plaque is the most prevalent during this part of the day.
It is important to floss daily as well as this will remove the tartar and plaque that build up at the gum line and lead to gingivitis. It is also important to get your teeth cleaned every six months by a professional. If you are prone to large deposits of tartar or plaque remains on your teeth you should have them cleaned every three months.
There are special types of mouthwash for gingivitis prevention as well. They can help you to keep your teeth and gums healthy between cleanings. Your dentist may recommend one of them to you due to your risk of infection. Most of them require a prescription to get. They can stain the teeth so they are often used only when absolutely necessary.
Pay close attention to your teeth so you can see your dentist when you experience any signs of trouble. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, your gums are sensitive, the gums are red and inflamed, or you notice shifting in your teeth you may be in the early stages of gingivitis. Early intervention can help prevent it from escalating into the various forms of periodontal disease.
Children should be taught from a very early age the right way to brush and floss. They also need to learn the importance of preventing gingivitis. Too many people wait until they are in severe pain to do anything about it. As a result though they end up with damage to their teeth and gums that could have easily been prevented.
Even if you think you have very good oral hygiene habits, you need to see a dentist on a regular basis. Preventing gingivitis is very important and with the right tools and support you should be able to do it. There are millions of people out there with gingivitis that are just letting it progress instead of fighting it.
Gingivitis Treatment
Even with the best possible brushing and flossing techniques, some people still end up suffering from gingivitis. It can be due to not taking care of their teeth and gums as they should. It can be due to changes in their bodies such as diabetes or pregnancy related. It can also be due to genetics as some people create more plaque than others due to how their body is made up.
It is important to seek treatment for gingivitis from a dentist as soon as you start to experience symptoms. Don’t wait until it has progressed into the stages of periodontal disease. Regular cleanings every six months will help to prevent gingivitis. Should you be diagnosed with it, your dentist may recommend you come in every three months for a full cleaning as part of your treatment.
These cleanings are more intense than what you normally get, and many dental offices refer to them as scaling. You will be given probe tests to determine how far into the gum line the bacteria has spread. Most dental offices will also require x-rays to be taken so they can get a complete look at the issues. It is common for some areas of the mouth to be suffering from gingivitis more than others.
You may need a few shots of pain medication before the scaling procedures can be done. If your gums are inflamed or your teeth are very sensitive you will be too uncomfortable to have it done without such assistance. They may give you some pain killers for a couple of days or recommend you take an over the counter product. This is due to the aching pain you may experience for a few days after the scaling.
There are special types of mouthwash that you may be prescribed as well. They have ingredients that are more powerful for killing bacteria from plaque than the types of mouthwash that you can buy over the counter. Sometimes your dentist will determine the build up of plaque and tartar is due to the way other teeth are aligned. Braces or extractions may be needed in order to resolve the problem. Otherwise it will be a chronic issue for you to deal with.