Gingivitis

Proven Gingivitis Treatment at Home – Read This First

Want to avoid gum surgery and use a gingivitis treatment at home? Discover how to cure gingivitis naturally without harsh chemicals and their side effects.

There are natural solutions that can help avoid deep cleanings due to plaque and tartar.

There is no shortage of people who desperately want to know how to treat gingivitis at home without harsh chemicals. Gingivitis is health problem that affects around two-thirds of the adult population. It can range from being a mild oral health condition, to causing long-term dental problems. Fortunately, for those who develop the condition, there is effective gingivitis treatment that can be recommended by your dentist.

Your dentist is generally able to spot the signs of gum disease before you will. This is one of the reasons it is so important to visit your dentist twice each year for a check-up. If they notice the tell-tale signs of the condition, they can suggest appropriate treatment that will restore your gum health quickly.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

There are various symptoms that you may begin to notice if your oral health is not optimal and gingivitis has begun to develop. Be vigilant for the early warning signs of gingivitis and you can boost your dental health by identifying and reversing the condition early on, before long-term damage can occur.

Some of the initial stages of gingivitis may include:

Bleeding gums when you brushing your teeth
Redder than usual gum tissue
Sore or inflamed gums
Bad breath, even after you have brushed your teeth
Bad taste in your mouth.

If the condition is diagnosed at this stage and you begin to treat the condition and follow an effective oral health program, then you can easily reverse the condition and restore your dental health. However, if the condition is allowed to develop, then you may begin to observe more acute symptoms, which can include:

Receding gums
Wobbly teeth
Dental pain
Tooth loss
Severe infection of the gum tissue.

When gingivitis becomes advanced, it is generally known as periodontitis. Once the condition has reached this stage, it generally requires much more intensive treatment. This may require dental surgery and potentially expensive and painful procedures to eradicate diseased tissue and infection.

Is Gingivitis Contagious?

No, not in the way we think of a virus. However, the cause of gingivitis can spread in your gum and teeth, possibly entering you bloodstream where it can wreak havoc on your health. It can be deadly!

What is the cause of gingivitis?

What Causes Gingivitis?

natural gingivitis treatment at home Gum disease is almost always caused when bacteria and plaque build up on the gum tissue and teeth. This occurs when the bacteria that form on your teeth and gums daily after eating is not removed effectively. When you eat, the food residue left behind encourages bacteria, which feed on the leftover food.

The bacteria flourish after each time you eat and must be removed through brushing, flossing and using a mouthwash as part of an effective dental hygiene routine. If they are not removed effectively, then the bacteria will begin to cause infection.

Bacteria react with your saliva and then cause a substance known as plaque to develop. This is a yellowish, sticky substance that clings to your teeth and gums and causes the infection. Over time, if the plaque and bacteria are not removed, the infection will become more advanced and develop into gingivitis.

6 Factors that influence gum health

Following a thorough home dental hygiene routine is vital if you want to keep your teeth and preserve your gums. However, there are other factors that increase your chances of developing gingivitis or exacerbate the condition. Some of these factors include:

Smoking – smoking leaches your body of vitamin C, which is needed for healthy circulation and healthy tissue. When you smoke, deposits of tar stay on your teeth and gums, which also damages the gum tissue.
Diet – if you eat a diet that is high in sugar, then you are opening the door to gingivitis. The bacteria that cause gingivitis love to feed on sugar. You should therefore, limit the amount of sugar that you are consuming each day. Eating a lot of processed foods also limits the amount of vitamins and nutrients that can protect your oral health. Try to cut down on sugary, fatty and processed foods and eat more fresh fresh vegetables instead.
Water – it is important that you are drinking between six and eight glasses of water a day to keep your body healthy. Drinking the appropriate amount of water will also help to flush bacteria from your mouth.
Hormonal upheavals – women are slightly more likely to develop gingivitis and other oral health conditions thanks to hormonal changes. Fluctuations of hormones particularly during pregnancy and menopause can cause gingivitis to occur.
Other Serious health conditions – there are certain health conditions that can make you more susceptible to developing gingivitis. Some conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and many others may affect your ability to fight off bacterial infections.
Medications – there are also some medications that can make you more likely to develop gingivitis or other gum disease. If you take a medication regularly, you should talk to your doctor or dentist about whether it may affect your gum health and how you can protect it from bacterial infection.

What do I do if I have developed gingivitis?

If you think you may have developed gingivitis, the first thing you should do is to visit your dentist. They are able to make a proper diagnosis and suggest a treatment that will ease your individual symptoms most effectively.

Fortunately, if you catch the condition early on, before it becomes periodontitis, you can reverse gum disease and restore your total oral health. There are some simple steps that you can take in order to get rid of the infection and enjoy good oral health once again.

Brush after every meal each day – ideally, you will clean your mouth each time you eat. If you have already developed gingivitis, then this is a necessary step in order to get the bacteria levels under control in your mouth. Brushing is the most effective way to eradicate oral bacteria. Once you have reversed the condition, you can get by on brushing twice a day.
Floss between teeth to remove residual food particles and bacteria. Buy dental tape and use it daily to get rid of the extra muck that gets stuck between your teeth when you eat. Flossing gets rid of the leftovers in areas where your toothbrush can’t reach. Consider using a water floss, which is very effective.
Use a mouthwash – Using a chemical-free mouthwash or equivalent to swill around your mouth twice a day will help to flush out the extra bacteria that are left behind after brushing and flossing. Natural essential oils for gingivitis mixed together with water in the mouth may work well.

With these three simple steps, you can often ward off early stage gingivitis.

Your dentist may suggest other treatment if they consider that your gum disease has advanced to a point where following a good oral hygiene routine is not enough.

What Products Should I Use?

It is important to choose appropriate products to use as well as following an appropriate dental hygiene routine. There are many products for sale that can actually damage your gum health rather than supporting it. There are certain ingredients that you want to avoid:

No Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS): One of the key ingredients to avoid is sodium lauryl sulphate. This chemical is commonly used in toothpaste as well as shampoos, beauty products and cleaning products. It is a foaming agent, but it can hurt sensitive gums and is best avoided. Look at the ingredients of any product you are considering buying and ensure that it does not contain SLS.

No Flouride: Fluoride has long been added to toothpaste as it is thought to strengthen teeth. Many studies have now shown, however, that it is highly toxic and may also have limited benefit to teeth. It is, therefore, best to avoid dental products that contain this ingredient.

No Alcohol: Alcohol is sometimes included in mouthwashes, but you should try to avoid buying products that contain it. This ingredient can dry out your mouth, which is a problem as saliva protects your mouth from the bacteria that can cause gingivitis.

It is often best to purchase products that contain natural ingredients. These days there are some very effective commercially available products that are natural. They do not contain any potentially damaging ingredients. Some of the natural herbs that can effectively clean and protect your teeth and gums include:

Tea tree oil – tea tree oil has been used by Australian aborigines for thousands of years for its antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. This ingredient is particularly helpful for eradicating the bacteria that harm your gum health.
Peppermint essential oil– peppermint eradicates bacteria and leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh. Some formulas are combined with spearmint and almond oils and in the right combination are alone sufficient to be a very potent solution to kill and control bacteria. Here is an example of one powerful formula that works.
Aloe vera – reduces redness and swelling of gums and soothes the mouth.
Neem – neem has also been shown to be able to get rid of bacteria and plaque inside the mouth. It can also prevent cavities and keep the mouth feeling fresh and clean.

Using the Right Technique

By following a stringent oral health routine at home where you brush, floss and rinse at least twice a day and choosing the right dental products, you can generally reverse the early stages of gum disease. However, you should also ensure that you are using the right technique so that you can remove the bacteria and plaque efficiently. Using the correct technique will also ensure that you do not injure your sensitive gums, which can also encourage oral infection.

Brushing

When brushing your teeth there is a specific technique to use. A thorough brushing should take around two minutes, which is much longer than most people spend. Make sure to cover the upper teeth and the lower teeth, on the inside, outside and chewing surfaces.

Make sure you give extra attention to the hard to reach areas at the back of your mouth and to any fillings or other dental work that you may have. Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and use short strokes moving away from the gums. Always use a soft-bristled brush as harder brushes can easily damage gums and tooth enamel.

Flossing

When flossing, grab a piece of floss or dental tape that is around 30 centimetres long.

Wind some of the floss around your index finger, leave about 5 centimetres and then wind the floss around your other index finger.
Start with your top teeth at the back and work forwards.
Place the floss gently in the groove between the teeth then delicately move the floss up and to the side of one tooth and then to the other. Each time you should be creating a C-like patter with the floss around the tooth.
Repeat with each gap between teeth at the top of your mouth and then with the bottom teeth.

Rinsing

Using a mouth rinse is reasonably straightforward. Always follow the directions on the mouth rinse that you purchase, but in general, you need to swill it around your mouth for around 45 seconds. This is usually long enough to get to the hard to reach areas and flush out any bacteria that may still be hiding there after brushing and flossing.

If you follow a good daily oral hygiene routine, you are likely to be able to avoid developing cavities, gum disease or other dental problems. Good oral health is also linked to good overall health in adults, so it pays to make the health of your gums and teeth a priority.

If you do develop gum disease, it is important that you seek out gingivitis treatment at home early on to avoid having to deal with advanced dental health problems that can be time consuming, costly and even painful. Do not put off investing in quality products, but be sure they are natural and free of irritating ingredients that could cause more long-term harm than good.

What are you waiting for? Learn how to get rid of gingivitis naturally.

Click here to learn more about a proven gingivitis treatment at home used by many with success.

Gingivitis Cure – What You Need to Know

A gingivitis cure is sought after by millions each year. Perhaps you are one of them. Gum disease is an all too common health condition, affecting millions of adults each year. It is one of the most common oral diseases. Learn how to cure gingivitis naturally and at home.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an oral health condition that affects the gingiva or gums of your mouth. When you develop this disease, you might notice a number of symptoms. The chief sign of is inflammation of the gum tissue. Some of the other tell-tale signs that you have developed this condition include:

Bleeding when you brush your teeth, use dental floss or eat foods that are crispy
Bad breath
Bad taste in your mouth even after brushing your teeth
Redder than normal coloring of the gums

This condition is the first stage of gum disease and created by a bacteria build-up that leads to the formation of plaque and tartar on the gums and teeth.

Our mouths are hot beds of bacterial growth. Each day they are exposed to bacteria which flourish as a result of the food particles left in our mouths after eating. In addition, this bacteria mix with our saliva to produce something called plaque, which clings to teeth and gums. Over time, plaque can harden and become tartar, which is a calcification that can only be removed through dental procedures.

Bacteria, plaque and tartar can all irritate the gum tissue and lead to the infection known as gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal gum disease.

Preventing Gum Disease

Despite the fact that millions of adults each year develop this condition, it is usually easy to prevent. Basically, all it takes to prevent tooth and gum infection is that you follow a consistent home dental hygiene routine and visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and clean.

By brushing, flossing and using a mouth rinse twice a day, you can usually keep the bacteria that cause this disease under control. A check-up with your dentist every six months will see any plaque or tartar build-up removed and your mouth left totally clean and healthy.

Another reason to make a dental appointment twice-yearly is that your dentist is able to spot the signs of periodontal gum disease early. They can generally notice warning signs that your gum health is not optimal long before you are likely to notice anything awry.

How to Avoid gum disease – Some Extra Tips

As well as following a oral hygiene routine at home, there are a couple of extra things that you can do to protect your oral health:

Eat less sugar – ditch the sugar or processed foods wherever possible in your diet. Bacteria love to eat sugar and a diet high in sugar encourages bacteria to multiply out of control.
Don’t smoke – almost all smokers will develop gum disease. Smoking damages many aspects of your health and well-being and your entire body will thank you for ditching the tobacco habit.
Drink plenty of water – water keeps your body healthy and also helps to flush away bacteria that accumulate on your teeth and gums. Drink at least eight glasses a day for optimal health.
Talk to your doctor – some health conditions, such as diabetes, can make you more susceptible to developing gum disease. If you have a medical condition or take medications regularly, then you should talk to your doctor about how it may also affect other aspects of your health.
Use the right oral care products – some dental health products can actually damage your sensitive gum tissue. Many commercial dental products contain sodium lauryl sulphate, which is a foaming agent. Unfortunately, it can cause allergic reactions, which can denigrate the gum tissue. It is best to choose products that do not contain SLS, but which contain natural ingredients.

What happens if I do develop gum disease?

If you do develop the early stage of gum disease, the good news is that there are remedies for it. The kind of treatment that you require will depend on the extent of the condition. Your dentist or oral MD will be able to recommend the best recommendation together with a regular oral care plan.

Gingivitis Treatment

There are non-surgical and surgical treatment options for curing gum disease:

Non-surgical treatments – Scaling and root planing is the most common procedure for people who do not require surgical treatments for their gum disease. This involves the dentist removing plaque and tartar that are lying under the gum line (scaling) and smoothing rough areas around the tooth root where bacteria have attached (planing).

Sometimes antibiotics may also be used by dentists to accompany treatment. Although gum disease is primarily a bacterial infection, antibiotics are not generally powerful enough to get rid of gum disease on their own. They are, however, often effective at supporting recovery.

Surgical treatments – There are several surgical methods that may be employed to eradicate infected tissue. Some of the surgeries your dental surgeon might recommend include, pocket reduction, flap surgery, tissue regeneration and soft tissue grafting. The aim of these surgeries is to remove diseased gum tissue and replace it with healthy tissue. Gum tissue may also be stitched back into place then it has receded. Laser surgery is more common than it was in the past, but it can be an expensive procedure.

Take Action – It will only get worse!

In the search for a gingivitis cure, it is always best to prevent a condition from occurring in the first place. By making a good home dental health routine part of your day, choosing the right cleaning products and visiting your dentist regularly, you can enjoy optimal tooth and gum health in the long-term.

Now that you are informed about your options, continue your search for how to cure gingivitis.

Desquamative Gingivitis

There are various kinds of gum disease that can affect your overall oral health. Desquamative gingivitis is just one form of gum disease that may require professional dental advice or procedures to overcome.

Symptoms of gingivitis

Gum disease is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria on the gingival tissue. Of course, there are various factors that contribute to an overgrowth of flesh-eating bacteria. Over time as the bacteria multiply out of control it leads to infection. This infection causes symptoms to develop such as the following:

- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Pain
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Sensitive gums

Desquamative gingivitis, which is sometimes known as gingivosis, is a form of gum disease where the gum tissue layers begin to separate from each other. The division of these gum layers provides space for bacteria to enter and multiply, which leads to infection.

The gum tissue that faces out is affected by the condition much more commonly than the tissue closer to the tongue and palate.

As the outer layers of the gum tissue shed, you will most likely experience pain since nerves can be affected. The gum will also generally appear redder than normal and can look very aggravated.

Appearance of desquamative gingivitis

Desquamative gingivitis can differ in appearance to regular gum disease. With this condition you may notice symptoms such as:

White patches on the gums
Redness and inflammation of the outer gum tissue
Atrophying of the gums
Glazed appearance to the gums
Increased sensitivity and even pain
Formation of blisters on the gums
Shedding of the gum tissue – known as desquamation
Spaces appearing between the teeth

Who is at risk?

Although gum disease may be experienced by both genders, it tends to be women who suffer desquamative gingivitis more than men. The condition is most commonly seen in menopausal or post-menopausal women, but it is also infrequently observed in girls going through puberty.

There is clearly a hormonal influence at play here, but the exact reason for its frequency in middle-aged and older women is not yet clearly understood.

Other causes of gingivosis

Some women experience gingivosis as a result of fluctuating hormonal levels, but there are other potential causes of the condition as well:

- Sodium lauryl sulphate – this chemical, which is commonly included in health and beauty products as a foaming agent, has been noted as contributing to this condition in some patients. SLS is often used in toothpaste that is commercially produced; it is therefore best to select natural toothpaste to avoid this chemical ingredient.
- Radiation therapy – one of the many nasty side effects of this kind of medical care may be developing desquamative gingivitis.
- Crohn’s disease
- Presence of lichen planus, pemphigus or pemphigold spores in the mouth or elsewhere on the body’s soft tissue.
- Chronic ulcerative stomatitis

Sometimes this condition is confused for regular gum disease and this misdiagnosis delays the beginning of appropriate treatment. In some cases the treatment for regular gingivitis can actually make the desquamation worse.

Treatments for desquamative gingivitis

There are a couple of treatment options that may be offered by your dentist once you have been correctly diagnosed. Initially, the dentist is likely to request a sample be taken to determine the pathology of the infection. When they know whether lichen planus or other pathogens are at work, they can then prescribe effective medications or procedures to be undertaken.

In some cases cortico-steroid medications may be deployed to eradicate pathogens. These medications may need to be taken for an extended period of time – up to three months to see improvement.

In more severe cases, dental surgery can be very effective. This will often involve removing diseased gum tissue and then grafting healthy tissue onto the affected area.

In all cases you will have to work together with your dentist over an extended period of time to ensure that the condition is under control. Check-ups are generally required one month after treatment, then at three months, six months and nine months.

Long term prognosis for the condition is good, however, it is also very common for the condition to re-emerge and require follow up treatments during the first year after the initial treatment.

Protecting your gum health

In order to protect your teeth and gums from desquamative gingivitis and many other oral health problems, you should always brush, floss and use a mouth wash twice a day. In addition, choose your dental health products carefully, staying away from products that contain harsh chemicals such as alcohol and sodium lauryl sulphate.

What is NUG or Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis?

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG)– whew that is quite a mouthful isn’t it? Sounds like a pretty serious and scary health condition so let’s take a look at what it is, how to prevent it and what treatments are offered for this oral health condition. So what is NUG?

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is also commonly called “trench mouth.” It earned this name after the vast numbers of soldiers during World War I who developed the condition while fighting in the trenches. Since they often lacked access to proper hygiene facilities and ate a poor diet, the soldiers’ ability to look after their oral health was very limited and they would often develop serious gum disease.

Breaking down the name

Necrotizing – this word refers to the fact that the condition destroys gum tissue that becomes infected.

Ulcerative – refers to the fact that with this condition ulcers and sores often appear on the gums.

Gingivitis – “gingiva” is another word for your gums and “gingivitis” refers to a bacterial infection of the gingiva, or gum tissue.

So, if we put all of this together, we begin to form an image in our heads of an oral condition, which denigrates the gum tissue and causes infection and ulcer-like sores. Well that sure does not sound like something you would like to develop, does it?

What causes this condition?

The chief cause of Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) is bacterial build-up that is out of control. Your mouth is attacked by large amounts of bacteria on a daily basis. There is some oral bacteria that is good for your mouth, but there are many kinds that can infect your gum tissue, lead to plaque and tartar build-up, infection, cavities and disease.

People who follow a good oral health routine at home that includes, brushing correctly, flossing and rinsing are unlikely to develop gum disease of any kind because they are effectively removing the harmful bacteria. However, most people are guilty of being lax with their dental hygiene routine at times and this increases your risk of developing gum disease substantially.

As well as those people who are not vigilant about oral hygiene, there are a few other risk factors for developing this condition. They include:

Stress – since this affects your body’s ability to fight off infections.
Smoking – smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your overall health and that includes your teeth and gums. It leaches essential nutrients from your body that prevent infections; affects heart health, which has been linked to oral health; limits healthy circulation and toxin removal from the gums and encourages bacterial growth in the mouth.
Poor nutrition – if you do not get enough fresh foods in your diet or you consume a lot of processed and sugary foods, then you are much more likely to develop NUG and other gum disease or oral conditions.
Weak immune system – your immune system efficiency and strength determines how well your body is able to fight off bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that attack our systems every day. If you have a weakened immune system, then you will need to step up your dental hygiene routine and improve your diet, because you are already starting behind the eight ball.

How is it different from other types of gum disease?

NUG is an aggressive form of gum disease that advances quickly and is generally a lot more painful than other gum diseases. People with NUG will often experience pain even when there is no force or pressure being exerted on the gum tissue.

Treating NUG

NUG can be reversed and cured with the help of your dentist. They will help you to create and follow an effective treatment plan. Sometimes surgical procedures may be required in order to remove heavily diseased tissue and prevent the condition spreading through the mouth.

You will also have to follow a dental hygiene routine very carefully at home each day. It is best to use natural products that contain no alcohol or sodium lauryl sulphate since these can cause further damage to the sensitive tissue. The following are helpful tools in your battle against this disease:

Natural mouthwash such as those that have botanical oils.
An electric toothbrush with an oscillating head
Dental tape, rather than floss.

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis can usually be overcome in a couple of weeks with professional dental assistance, commitment to brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly and minimization of risk factors. When in doubt, talk to your dentist. Learn more about how to reverse gingivitis naturally.

Gingivitis: Cause, Prevention, Treatment

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is otherwise called gum disease. It is a problem that is characterized as the inflammation of the gum line that surrounds the teeth. This condition is the mildest type of gum problem that can affect the health of the periodontium, which are the tissues that are found in the areas surrounding the teeth. This will include the gums, soft tissues and bone.

The First Signs Of Gingival Infection

The gingiva or gums will begin to lose their healthy structure. The natural coral pink color may start to turn into a beefy red shade. The inter-dental area, which should usually have a knife-like shape, may look rounded and inflamed. The patient may also complain that his gums feel painful or itchy. These are some of the usual signs of gingivitis:

Swollen gums
Bleeding Gums (especially after brushing or flossing)
Redness
Tenderness
Bad breath
Tenderness or pain
Early Gum Recession

What Causes Gum Disease?

Poor Dental Hygiene

The problem is usually due to poor oral hygiene. However, we should keep in mind that there are some systemic conditions that can make a person more prone to gingival infections. Please note that almost every person has some amount of plaque on his or her teeth. Even so, not every person will develop gingivitis.

Weakened Immune System

People with a weakened immune system will be more prone to develop this problem. Those immuno-compromised individuals who have HIV, Addison’s Disease, cancer, diabetes and other forms of disease are more likely to have periodontal problems.

Poor Diet

Malnourished people are likely candidates as well. Anorexic and bulimic individuals are prone to gingivitis and a slew of other oral infections.

Hormone Changes

Hormone changes caused by puberty, pregnancy and steroid therapy may increase the likelihood of developing gingival infections.

Prescription Drugs

Some types of medicine may increase one’s chances of developing periodontal diseases. People taking maintenance for high blood pressure and seizures may develop gingival complications. Some types of medicine that are needed for organ transplant viability have been known to cause gingivitis as well.

Plaque Deep in the Gum line

Plaque must collect in the inter-dental spaces, the areas between the teeth, which are hard to clean. Chronic dryness or xerostomia may also encourage bacteria to develop. Remember that the saliva acts as a cleaning agent of sorts.

Therefore, a person with a dry mouth is more likely to develop dental caries or gingival infections. Although gingivitis is present because of many factors. This one is by far the main cause of the disease.

Bacteria are the Main cause of Periodontal Disease

There are over 500 types of microorganisms present in the normal oral cavity. These types of bacteria may cause gum inflammation. While they are normally found in the body, the presence of plaque and tartar will give them the perfect environment to grow and multiply.

The nutrients found in food debris will give them the nourishment they need to multiply. Since the body’s defenses normally handle a smaller amount of bacteria, a large-scale volume would now easily be controlled.

Gum disease is a process of infection wherein the immune system of the human body feels overwhelmed, due to the increase in the volume of bacteria. These organisms begin to invade the deeper regions like the periodontal ligaments, bone and inner soft tissues.

Please note that this type of condition can range from mild to severe. At times, it develops into ANUG or Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis. This is a potentially life-threatening condition and painful as well.

A Battle On The Cellular Level

The infection is caused in part by the immune system. It sends bacteria-fighting cells to combat the foreign invaders. Please note that inflammation will always be present in gum disease, however you may not notice it. During the first stage, the salivary proteins or antibodies make a valiant effort to defend the body by coating the bacteria.

This action weakens the invading organisms and makes it easier for the immune system to kill it. During this period, chemicals are released into the bloodstream. This is done to alert cells to come to the area and join in the battle.

Macrophages are cells that ingest or eat the bacteria. They use natural chemicals to render them powerless. However, although they usually succeed in their endeavor, it should be noted that the chemicals will also harm the connective tissue found within the area. A natural treatment is preferred when available.

Although gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease, it can develop into chronic cases of gum recession and periodontitis. Once bacteria have attacked the surrounding periodontal ligaments, teeth will feel loose and some patients will notice slight movements, especially when they are chewing food. The long term effects of periodontitis is tooth loss and severe health complications.

How To Treat Gum Problems

1) Proper Oral Hygiene

One cannot stress how important proper dental care techniques are in the fight against gum disease. Brush your teeth after every meal. Keep in mind that you need to brush for 2 minutes or more to remove all traces of plaque.

Once you have brushed your teeth, flossing should be performed to remove plaque. You should also ask your dentist about using liquid toothpaste instead. This will make it easier to clean those hard-to-reach places.

If you prefer to use a toothpaste with natural components, ask your dentist to recommend one that contains almond oil, peppermint, and spearmint oil. These organic compounds fight bacteria and help control bad breath. Lastly, remember to invest in a good anti-bacterial mouthwash, preferably one that is alcohol-free.

2) Regular Dental Visits

Visit your dentist at least once every six months. However, if you notice any signs of gingival problems, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Please note that although gingivitis can be treated, once the bone and soft tissue are destroyed; you will need to undergo lengthy and costly procedures to treat the damage.

3) Eat Healthy

By consuming a well-balanced diet, you will give your body the nourishment it needs to fight against bacteria. Most dentists will recommend the anti-caries diet, which is a meal plan that contains foods with anti-oxidant properties, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin A and phosphorus, which are essential for strong bones and teeth. However, if you must have your sweets, do so in moderation and brush right after.

4) Regular Medical Check-ups

People with compromised immune systems should consider visiting their doctor regularly, since there is a link between periodontal disease and other serious health conditions. Early detection will not only save their oral cavities from possible disease, but may also save their lives.

Many people fail to understand that the mouth harbors more harmful organisms than any other part of the body. This is why most take oral conditions lightly. The best way to combat mouth infection is prevention and early detection. It is important to instill the value of a healthy oral cavity to the masses, in an effort to avoid the development of severe oral conditions, which can be prevented in the first place.

Take Action

Gingivitis is a silent but potentially life-threatening oral condition that usually goes unnoticed until serious damage has been done and it has progressed to periodontitis, which is the most advanced form of gum disease. However, a large number of the general public consider the symptoms as a minor inconvenience that will go away. It is important to realize that it is no laughing matter.

You need to consider comprehensive plan for your family that integrates and sees the over benefits of staying current and investing in the best medical, dental and lifestyle choices. Prevention is key.