What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a disease of the gums inside your mouth. Gingivitis is usually easily treatable and caught before any damage is done to the mouth. However, there are instances where gingivitis is left untreated and it turns in to a more serious problem, called periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to other health problems and usually requires the aid of a dentist to overcome.
Gingivitis doesn’t just happen on its own. It requires the help of a few “people” in order to develop. The first person who helps gingivitis is you! When food enters the mouth, it breaks down in to smaller particles. If the particles aren’t brushed away or flossed out, they can turn in to bacteria. The bacteria turn in to plaque that coats your teeth and sits along the line of the gum between teeth. If the plaque sits on your teeth or between the gums long enough, it causes gingivitis. Gingivitis is actually the decay of the gums around the teeth.
Symptoms
The symptoms of early gingivitis are usually pretty mild. They include redness on the gums around the teeth. They can also include swelling after eating or brushing your teeth or at any time during the day. Other symptoms of more advanced gingivitis include bleeding of the gums, loose teeth, painful chewing, sore teeth and pain when brushing your teeth.
Diagnosis
Gingivitis needs to be diagnosed by a dentist. The dentist or hygienist can look in your mouth and tell exactly what stage of gingivitis you are suffering from. Depending on where your gingivitis is determines the course of treatment they will suggest. Mild gingivitis usually only requires more brushing and flossing. Moderate gingivitis may require a change in diet, more flossing and brushing throughout the day and even a specialized product to treat the gums. Advanced cases will require independent consultation with the dentist.
Treatment
There are different ways to prevent gingivitis in healthy adults. Usually treatment of gingivitis is done at home. There are a few home remedies, such as brushing with baking soda or drinking more vitamin C that people use to improve their gum’s health. Successful treatment always includes brushing daily, flossing regularly and using mouthwash. The mouthwash can get in between the teeth and kill any bacteria you might have missed with the brush.
Lastly, keep all of your scheduled dentist appointments. The dentist can check and see if the gingivitis is going away or if more aggressive treatment is needed to combat it. The dentist is your partner in the war against bacteria causing gingivitis in your mouth.
Read Related Stories oncan gingivitis be prevented, can gingivitis be treated at home, Can gingivitis cause other health problems, Gingivitis Symptoms, how to prevent gingivitis.