If your gums are red, sore, and swollen, there’s a good chance that you have gingivitis. When it comes to most diseases, the chances of completely reversing them are slim. But luckily enough, gingivitis is something you can kick completely if you keep some healthy habits.
If you’re dealing with painful gums and bad breath, keep reading. We’re going to give you the top tips for getting rid of gingivitis so you can have a healthy smile for life!
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. Usually, it happens because there is an excess of plaque and bacteria on the teeth.
On its own, gingivitis is considered non-destructive. But when it’s not treated, it can turn into a more serious disease: periodontitis. Periodontitis is painful and leads to loose teeth that can fall out.
Some signs that you have gingivitis are:
- Red, puffy gums
- Gums that bleed easily with brushing
- Bad breath
Typically, a mild case of gingivitis will resolve itself when a patient brushes and flosses with more regularity.
Tips for Getting Rid of Gingivitis
There are a few different techniques you can implement into your daily oral routine for getting rid of gingivitis and keep it away for good.
Go to Regular Cleanings
First and foremost, you need to get to your regular dental cleanings. Find a family dentist in Mississauga that you trust to provide top-notch oral care and set up regular appointments for cleanings and any outstanding work you need to get done.
This is the best way to get rid of gingivitis for good. A dental professional will be able to thoroughly clean your teeth with dental instruments and ultrasonic devices.
Typically, visiting the dentist once every six months is enough for someone with good dental habits at home, but your dentist may recommend that you visit more often if you are prone to gum disease.
Brush and Floss Daily
Alongside regular cleanings, you need to make sure that your oral hygiene habits are good at home. The Canadian Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Floss afterward.
It’s also a good idea to wait 20-30 minutes after you eat before brushing your teeth.
Use Antibacterial Mouthwash
There are tons of different antibacterial mouthwashes out there, many of them are even designed with treating and preventing gum disease in mind. Find an antibacterial mouthwash that you can handle and plan to use it after brushing and flossing.
Swish for 30 seconds twice a day to help get rid of the disease-causing plaque and bacteria that can build up on your gums.
Replace Brush Every Three or Four Months
It’s important to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Germs can hide, and even thrive and flourish, in the bristles of your toothbrush. This can lead to reinfecting your mouth with the germs that you were trying to kill.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to throw out your toothbrush when you get sick. If you reuse a toothbrush after you’ve been sick, you’re risking getting yourself sick again.
For the most part, every three to four months is enough. But if you notice that the bristles of your toothbrush start to fray before that, it’s time to replace.
There are lots of subscription services that send you new toothbrushes, or toothbrush heads, in the mail so you don’t have to worry about remembering.
Oil Pulling
For a while, oil pulling was in the media being lauded as a miracle cure for all things dental hygiene related. While it’s certainly not a cure-all or a replacement for good hygiene habits, oil pulling actually has been proven to be an effective way to reduce the plaque associated with gingivitis.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for gingivitis and other forms of gum disease. Smoking also weakens your body’s immune system, which means that it will be less able to fight off any infection you could get from poor gum health.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after a meal can be a good way to help neutralize the acids that sit on your teeth. This can help lower the buildup of plaque that causes gingivitis in addition to sweetening your breath.
Lower Your Sugar Intake
The plaque that causes gingivitis feeds on sugar. So, the more sugar and refined carbs that you eat, the more risk you have of developing gingivitis. When you do eat something sugary and sweet, make sure you wait for 20-30 minutes and then brush your teeth to avoid excess plaque buildup.
Visit a Dentist to Treat Severe Gingivitis
If you’ve tried these tips but are still experiencing gingivitis, or maybe you suspect you could have more serious gum disease, make sure that you find a dentist Mississauga families depend on to get treatment.
The last thing you want is to let a small infection turn into a lifelong issue with gum disease, especially when it’s easily preventable with good oral hygiene practices.
Keep Your Smile Healthy for Life!
The health of your teeth will impact the health of the rest of your body. Not only is it painful and uncomfortable when your gums or teeth are infected, but you’re also actually damaging other vital organs. This is why it’s so important to get regular dental checkups and to follow good dental hygiene habits.
Gitting rid of gingivitis is easy, but getting rid of periodontitis is not. Make sure that you’re practicing good oral health skills and get in to see a family dentist in Mississauga as soon as you can if you suspect that your gums aren’t healthy.