When was the last time you brushed your teeth? Most of our patients tell us they brush at least once or twice a day.That’s a great start, but only half the battle. In addition to brushing, it’s important to floss your teeth regularly to help prevent periodontal gum disease like gingivitis and periodontitis.
The good news is gum diseases are preventable, and we want to help you avoid them!
Common signs of gingivitis
How can you tell if you have gingivitis? If you experience red or swollen gums that bleed when you brush, you’ve probably gone a bit too long between flossing. Gum sensitivity is another sign we warn our patients about as a developing sign of gingivitis. But where do these symptoms come from?
Gingivitis can form due to dental plaque—bacteria that accumulates on your teeth and near the gums—or other causes, including; genetics, allergies, age, vitamin c deficiency, dentures and more. Generally, plaque-induced gingivitis is most common.
Keep in mind, this dental plaque doesn’t just cause gingivitis and other periodontal disease. It also leads to tooth decay and other painful, serious oral health conditions.
Gingivitis is a treatable condition
The good news is, gingivitis is a reversable condition. It can actually resolve itself when you improve your teeth cleaning habits! Gentle brushing, thorough flossing and rinsing with mouthwash all go a long way toward ridding yourself of gingivitis.
In more severe cases, a trip to Fioritto Family Dental might be needed. Plan to visit us in Concord or Mentor for a routine cleaning, where one of our dental hygienists will perform a process called “scaling,” scraping plaque and tartar off your teeth. Thereafter, one of our friendly & gentle dentists will perform a comprehensive examination and any further procedures to reduce the buildup on your teeth. You’ll need to brush and floss on a daily basis—2-3 times per day is ideal.
Preventing periodontitis
Over time, if you don’t address your gingivitis in a timely manner, it may worsen into periodontitis. This condition can lead to receding gums, as well as bone loss. Our dentists will likely recommend additional dental cleanings until your gum health shows significant improvement. Our dentists will ask you questions about your lifestyle to help determine how you can build better oral care habits. Excessive stress, poor diet, smoking, & diabetes all correlate with periodontitis, so you may need to make additional lifestyle changes for the best results.
Follow this gum care checklist
Ready to fight back against gingivitis, to prevent periodontitis and other gum diseases? Here’s a quick checklist we often give to our patients that’s simple to follow:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably after meals
- Floss after every brushing and after meals
- Try using an electric toothbrush for an enhanced clean
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash at least once per day, or as needed.
A few tweaks to your daily routine are all you need to keep your gums healthy. Just make sure you’re flossing and rinsing thoroughly, for the sake of your gums! The next time you schedule your appointment with Fioritto Family Dental, our dentists will help you evaluate just how healthy your gums are.