Gingivitis is the first of the three stages of gum disease (the other two are periodontitis and advanced periodontitis) so it is essential to detect and treat it early.
What are the causes of gingivitis?
This disease occurs when brushing the teeth, flossing and using mouthwash do not remove plaque (also responsible for cavities) that progressively begins to release toxins, irritating the gum tissue. In summary, gingivitis can be caused by a mixture of bad eating habits, vices and poor oral hygiene.
However, there are natural changes in the body that can cause gingivitis such as diabetes, low immunity, pregnancy, use of medications or contraceptives (even if they are not natural), old age, the menstrual cycle and poor nutrition.
Gum disease can also be caused by misaligned teeth or misplaced or contaminated orthodontic appliances.
Some of the symptoms of gingivitis are:
· The gums are dark red.
· Swollen gums
· The receding gums.
· Bad breath (in some people).
· The gums have greater sensitivity.
· Bleeding gums
· Bags on the gums.
· The gums look shiny.
How to treat gingivitis?
The main thing to treat gingivitis is to visit the dentist, who will initially confirm whether you actually have gum disease. Subsequently, the dentist must review the distance between your tooth and the gum and then proceed to get rid of the plaque and perform a thorough and thorough dental cleaning (it is important to take into account that the last steps can only be performed by a certified specialist, otherwise, the disease could be aggravated).
After completing these two processes, the specialist will tell you how to brush properly, and will guide you on flossing. In addition, it will tell you in a detailed way the appropriate brush and dental floss for this disease, if you need them, it will also include special instruments to remove the rest of the plaque on the teeth and it will recommend an antiseptic mouthwash to finish eliminating the bacteria.
At home, care must be even greater, it is recommended to brush after each meal, floss at least before going to bed, use the mouthwash recommended by the dentist.
Avoid these bad habits:
Additionally, the cessation, at least partially, of bad habits such as:
· Smoking cigarettes.
· Eating without the nutrients that are necessary for strong teeth and gums.
· Constant stress.
· Blast teeth.
· Clench your teeth
· Grinding your teeth.
How to prevent it?
To prevent gingivitis, in addition to being important oral hygiene, it is also important to investigate if there is a family history of this disease, since if there is a history, you will be more prone to suffering from gum disease, therefore, you must have a more intense oral care.
Good oral hygiene is essential when it comes to preventing gum disease, however, it is not enough, even using the implements that the dentist recommends to remove plaque, it might not be enough. So it is recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months for a deep cleaning (more often if your dentist recommends it).
Finally, it is important to know that gingivitis can be the cause of several diseases, for example, just as diabetes can cause gingivitis, gingivitis can aggravate diabetes, the same case with pregnancy, gingivitis can cause tumors during pregnancy (although these are generally not carcinogenic, nor do they cause pain) to bacteria in the uterus, causing the baby to have a premature birth or to be born with a very low weight. Gum disease is also associated with diseases such as stroke or cardiovascular disease.
It is recommended to adopt habits such as:
· Go to 2 deep cleanings with the dentist, at least, in the year.
· Replace orthodromic appliances from time to time.
· Good oral hygiene at home, as the disease has a tendency to recur.
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