Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis begins when plaque and calculus (tartar) build up on teeth and inflame surrounding gum tissue. Symptoms include swelling, bright red or purple coloration of the gums, gums that itch or hurt when touched, occasional bad breath, and receding gum line. Basic oral hygiene will lay the foundation for effective gingivitis treatment. Avoid the mistake so many people make when they rely exclusively on specialized toothpastes for gingivitis treatment. These expensive products often promise results they do not deliver and neglect to educate consumers in the basics of proven dental care. Rely instead on simple, medically sound strategies for gingivitis treatment, such as regular brushing, flossing between the teeth, and using antiseptic mouthwash to clean the gum line. Antiseptic mouthwash and fluoride water work especially well to sterilize the surfaces of tooth enamel. Educate yourself as well in the proper techniques of oral hygiene. Gingivitis treatment depends just as much on taking the right actions as it does on using the right tools.
Dentists have long recommended that patients avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes and instead use soft bristles for gingivitis treatment. Softer bristles clean teeth without damaging tooth enamel or abrasively cutting into gums. We also counsel our patients to brush their teeth with circular motions rather than hard, rapid vertical movements. Vertical brushing with intense pressure can actually cause slight separation between teeth and gums. Plaque and calculus buildup further separates gum tissue and creates pockets where bacteria can multiply. Furthermore, gingivitis treatment cannot consist of brushing alone. Since a large percentage of plaque and calculus actually builds between teeth, it remains absolutely necessary to follow up brushing with proper flossing. Floss with 8 to 10 vertical strokes between each tooth. Bacteria can quickly infect cuts, so be gentle with your teeth.
Recent advancements in dentistry have helped develop better tools and more options for gingivitis treatment. Antiseptic mouthwash also proves highly effective in gingivitis treatment by killing bacteria in the mouth and on the surfaces of teeth. When on hand, it should be used after every brushing and flossing. Also, many cities in the United States now add fluoride to the water, and if this is the case where you live we recommend rinsing your mouth with fluoride water to strengthen tooth enamel. Combined with regular dental care, these techniques they will prove highly effective in the treatment of gingivitis.
It is important to remember that even with the best gingivitis treatments administered at home people still need to see a dentist once every six months for checkups and teeth cleaning. Individuals with symptoms that persist in spite of remedy need to immediately seek professional treatment for gingivitis. We use a number of advanced tools to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth, and we carry powerful antiseptics that can only be administered by trained dental staff to fight infection.
