Gingivitis is the mild form of gum disease caused by poor oral hygiene. In general terms, it means swelling on the gums. Gums are that part of the mouth that cover the jaw bones from inside and protect teeth from infections near the root surface. When dental plaque deposits accumulated at the gum line level and not removed, bacteria begin to irritate the gingival tissue and cause enamel erosion. The result of the bacteria job is called gingivitis which is the first step of gum disease.
Gingivitis can cause deeper inflammation if not treated. The number one cause of this is bad oral hygiene. As we all know, positive oral hygiene practices, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and routine dental check-ups, help keep gums and teeth safe.
There are different triggers that can cause gingivitis:
- Smoking and use of tobacco: Heavy smokers are more prone to get any kind of gum disease.
- Poor Oral hygiene: Not keeping your oral care on track can eventually lead to gum disease. Lack of proper brushing and flossing are one of the few risk factors of getting gingivitis.
- Medications: Some medications that are taken regularly can affect the oral health and the strength of your gums causing gingivitis to take place. This explains why patients with poor gum health and are taking medications as well are advised to see a dentist regularly.
- Chronic disease: Any chronic disease like HIV, diabetes and cancer can reduce the immunity and strength of gum health.
Proper brushing and flossing will prevent gingivitis in the vast majority of mouths.
Brush – Brush twice a day with soft-bristled toothbrushes; tipped at a 45-degree angle in a light circular motion to ensure you get to clean below the gum line (sulcus), the shallow crevice in between gums and teeth. Avoid brushing horizontally.
Flossing – Flossing should be done once a day. It is designed to clean plaque from the in between surfaces of your teeth. (In preventing gingivitis, we really aren’t trying to clean the space between your teeth—we are removing plaque from the sides.) Be sure to wrap the floss around your teeth’s curves and below the gum line. You may want to view some instructive videos to gain this valuable skill. Don’t worry! It gets easier with practice.
Get regular dental visits and cleaning – Your local walk in dentist can identify signs of early gum disease if you see them on a daily basis. They should be handled like this until they get more dangerous. Professional washing is the best way to remove the tartar, and it will also remove any plaque you lost while brushing or flossing. If you have gingivitis, shaving, flossing, and daily dental hygiene, it will help reverse it.
Good Health Practice – Smoking is one of the root causes of gum disease mainly because it weakens your immune system. Nicotine makes it harder to fend off gum infection. Removing this bad oral habit increases your chance to avoid gingivitis.
It’s not too late to improve your dental hygiene. Visit one of the trusted dentists near your area now.