Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Gingivitis

The more you understand about gingivitis, the more you can do to prevent it. Gingivitis itself can be fairly easy to treat as long as you get in to see the dentist as soon as you suspect you may have an issue. However if you put off treatment for gingivitis, then you may end up with some serious problems. Periodontal disease can set in and it can cause an array of dental issues ranging from rotting teeth to very painful gums and even complete tooth loss. Here is some important information about gingivitis that you want to know:

Keeping your mouth clean is your best line of defense

The best thing that you can do to prevent the development of gingivitis is to keep your mouth as clean as you can. This isn't an easy task since the mouth is known for being full of bacteria. However, daily brushing that's done correctly will help. You should brush your teeth for at least 3 minutes and use enough tooth paste that you get a good foam going in your mouth. Use a strong mouthwash at night and don't consume anything, including water, for at least a good twenty minutes or so after using the mouthwash so it has time to continue killing off germs. Drink a lot of water every day which will help rinse down food particles and the bacteria that comes with them.

Know how to spot the early signs that you may be developing gingivitis

No matter how good you are about taking care of your teeth and making sure you are doing your best to keep your mouth as clean as possible, you still want to make sure you know what the first signs of gingivitis are. This way, you can get in right away for treatment while the condition is still easily treatable. Here are some signs that you may be dealing with gingivitis:

  • Bad breath
  • Gums that look redder than normal
  • Gums that appear to be a bit swollen
  • Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth or floss

Why it's important to get in as soon as you suspect gingivitis

If you suspect you may have the beginning stages of gingivitis and you get in to your dentist (like those at Carolina Forest Family Dentistry) right away, it can be much easier to treat than you may imagine. In some cases a good professional cleaning can take care of the problem. Sometimes, it may take a few cleanings. However, putting it off until it has become full blown gum disease can cause you a lot of dental issues that may even cost you to lose some of your teeth.


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