Gingivitis is the result of plaque — which contains bacteria that produces irritating toxins — building up on teeth causing inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. Signs of gum disease include tissue that is red, puffy and possibly bleeding, tooth sensitivity and bad breath. It’s a serious condition that can affect more than just your dental health.
Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible. You just need to know the right ways to treat the issue, or even better, avoid it with gum disease prevention habits.
Treating Gingivitis
In some cases, gum infection is too far advanced for at-home treatments. If you aren’t sure how severe your symptoms are, its best to consult your dentist.
If gum bleeding is your primary symptom, it’s likely you’re in the early stages of gingivitis. Options to treat it include:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene practices including brushing, flossing and using mouthwash two times per day and keeping up with regular dental appointments.
- Using an anti-gingivitis toothpaste and mouth wash, which removes plaque from teeth and around the gum line.
- Change to a toothbrush with softer bristles if your gums are bleeding so you can limit doing more damage.
Reverse Gingivitis & Gum Disease Prevention
To stop plaque before it causes gingivitis, there are some preventive measures you can take. Here are some steps to reverse gingivitis:
- As covered above, keep up with good daily oral hygiene and dentist visits. Regular cleanings by a hygienist will help keep your teeth free from plaque.
- Cut back on foods that contain a lot of sugar, which promotes the growth of plaque.
- Examine your gums in the mirror for signs of changes in color texture. Check your gums in the mirror often for changes in color or texture so you can take action.
- Quit smoking. Smokers are seven times more likely to suffer from gum disease.
When To Seek Immediate Care
If your gums remain inflamed and continue to bleed, it’s time to seek care from a dentist. You want to try your best to reverse gingivitis and avoid the advancement to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection that can affect your jawbone, cause gums to pull away from teeth and lead to tooth decay and loss.
