Your teeth are much more important than you might think. Most of us take our smile for granted until we begin to experience problems with it. One of the most common issues that people deal with are gingivitis and gum disease. These two problems, which are the same only better or worse than the other, can cause your teeth to become loose and for your smile to go from being bright and beautiful to unsightly.
What is Gingivitis and Gum Disease?
Gingivitis and gum disease occur when poor oral hygiene is practiced. If you fail to brush your teeth often and floss regularly, you’ll begin to develop gingivitis, which is simply the bacteria irritating and causing inflammation of the gums. This can result in bone loss and loose teeth. After awhile, the gingivitis will develop into gum disease, which can cause teeth to fall out and bone issues to develop around the jaw area.
Can it Be Prevented?
Gingivitis and gum disease can definitely be prevented and it can even be reversed, especially if you just have gingivitis right now. The best way to prevent either of these issues from developing is to practice good oral hygiene. This means brushing at least twice a day with a power toothbrush, flossing once a day and using an antiseptic mouth rinse after waking up and before going to bed.
What’s the Treatment?
If you currently have gingivitis or gum disease, you’ll be treated with a deeper cleaning known as a scaling and root planning. This enables the hygienist to get underneath the gum line and remove calculus and other debris. This can help with the reddening and bleeding of the gums and can help to reverse the damage of gingivitis. There are also other rinses that can and should be used if you have gingivitis, so it’s important to talk to your dental team to see which is the best option for you.
Whether you have gingivitis or gum disease, it is imperative that you reverse the damage by taking good care of the teeth. Gingivitis is when you have very red, inflamed and irritated gums that bleed when you brush them. These symptoms escalate the worse the gingivitis gets and it can then develop into gum disease. If you suspect that you have gingivitis or gum disease, it is important that you make an appointment with your professional team of dentists to have an exam and x-rays taken. X-rays will give the dentist an idea of any bone loss that is present so that they can take the best action necessary to rectify the situation. You will also find that when you finally treat and care of the gums of your mouth, you feel better and do not experience the intense pain that you might have had before because of the inflammation. Your dentist will help you when you are experiencing any of these problems and can help teach you how to practice better oral healthcare and hygiene.
