If you’re wanting to learn how to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, you first need to understand exactly what this disease is and how it is caused.
Gingitivis is a form of gum disease which progresses in stages, from a mild cases of gingivitis to full-blown periodontitis.
It is an inflammation of the gums that causes red swelling and sometimes bleeding of the area around the bottom of your teeth.
Gingivitis is only the first stage of gum disease and it is easily treatable. However, if you neglect to treat the problem, it may lead to tooth loss or bone loss.
Keep reading and learn how to stop gingivitis in its tracks.
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Cause Of Gum Disease
A survey carried out shows that a lot of people do not practice good oral hygiene.
With easier access to what is referred by nutritionists as ‘bad carbohydrates’ and sweets, mouth diseases have become far more prevalent. Bad diets are rampant and people treat their dental care with little importance.
In one study, researchers followed some people who had healthy gums and a dental care routine that included regular brushing and flossing.
They found that not only did this prevent gingivitis, it also significantly reduced a significant number of dangerous bacteria including those typically found along the gum line.
So it stands to reason that the answer to “how to prevent gum disease” could simply be the matter of maintaining a daily oral care routine.
Gum Disease Progression
Bad oral hygiene is one of the leading causes of gingivitis. When you neglect to brush your teeth at least twice daily, floss daily and visit the dentist for regular teeth cleaning, you set the stage for gum disease.
Check out this article for the best toothbrushes to use to brush your teeth.
When you don’t take care of your teeth, food debris, especially from foods containing carbohydrates and sugars remain in the mouth and form plaque. Which is a sticky bacterial film found on the base of the teeth.
After some time, the plaque starts to irritate gum tissue and this eventually leads to gum disease.
Symptons Of Gingivitis
If you notice that your gum is red, swollen or tender or that it bleeds while you floss or brush your teeth, it may be a sign that you have gingivitis. Another sign of the disease is when the appears to have receded from your teeth making the teeth look longer.
The disease causes the gums to shift from the teeth and allow food particles and plaque to fill up the spaces between the gums and the teeth. It is also possible to experience bad breath as a result of gingivitis.
You ought to visit your dentist as soon as you notice any of these symptoms. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis quite quickly.
How To Prevent Gingivitis
Treatment of gingivitis depends on the mildness or severity of the disease. Your dentist may recommend a simple salt and water solution, to gargle as often as possible, but only if your gingivitis is very mild.
There are several other options the dentist may recommend for combatting gingivitis, antibiotics for instance. Some examples are minocycline and doxycycline, antibiotics present in gels, mouth rinses and pills.
If the disease is aggressive or severe, your dentist may recommend surgery to prevent tooth or bone loss. It is not enough to treat the disease or clean your teeth professionally.
It is also important to practice good oral hygiene also, for prevention of gum disease in the future.
Use the correct brushing and flossing technique
Knowing the right way to floss and brush your teeth is important. Most people are unaware that there is a technique to brushing your teeth and flossing. It should take at least 120 seconds to brush your teeth.
Proper brushing technique involves tilting your brush at a 45-degree angle against the gum line and gently rolling the brush away from the gumline, continue this way by cleaning the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Brush your tongue to scrub off bacteria that causes mouth odor. Pay particular attention to the areas that are hard to reach, like the back teeth. It is preferable to use a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove food particles and plaque from the teeth.
To floss, hold a floss stick or wrap a few inches of dental floss around your fingers, wrap it around a tooth and pull gently back and forth to remove plaque from between the teeth.
Maintain your oral care routine
It is easy to treat mild cases of gingivitis, but it is far better to prevent gum disease altogether. The most critical step to take towards avoiding it is to begin and to maintain good oral hygiene practices.
Good oral care practice involves brushing your teeth twice daily. When you wake up and before you go to bed. Brushing with a soft-bristle brush and with an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride is advised.
It is also crucial to floss after every meal and just before bedtime (just use your favorite water flosser). The recommended steps to take for your nighttime dental care routine are:
- 1Flossing first
- 2Rinsing the mouth with Listerine Mouthwash since it helps fight gum disease
- 3Brushing your teeth
Visit your dentist regularly
Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and professional teeth cleaning is also highly recommended.
Other steps to take include maintaining a proper, balanced diet especially diets that contain calcium and vitamin-rich foods. And avoiding any form of tobacco and cigarettes.
How To Prevent Gingivitis And Gum Disease Final Word
Utimately a good oral care routine will save you a lot of trouble. Red and swollen gums are unsightly and gingivitis can cause bad breath.
By simply being consistent with your oral care routine will help you avoid these problems. It will also go a long way in saving you the trouble of dental surgery and the costs of professional dental care.
Now that you know how to prevent gingivitis and how to maintain your daily oral care routine, why not invest in a Water Flosser.
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