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What Are Gingivitis And Gum Diseases?

Dec 02, 2022

What Are Gingivitis And Gum Diseases?

Oral health is an important aspect of one's overall health. Poor dental hygiene can be the leading cause of several complicated health concerns. Thus, it is always essential to use an electric brush and water flosser for teeth to help in ensuring a professional cleaning of the gums and teeth.

Due to poor dental hygiene, one may also experience gingivitis and gum disease. Gingivitis is a form of gum disease which leads to inflammation of the gums. It can cause redness, irritation, and swelling around the gums, and thus, it is essential to treat this oral health concern at the earliest.

If left untreated, gingivitis and gum disease can lead to serious oral health concerns including periodontitis and tooth loss.

What Causes Gingivitis and Gum Diseases?

Poor oral hygiene is one of the major factors that lead to gingivitis and other gum diseases. Inadequate or irregular brushing and flossing lead to the build-up of plaque in the mouth, which is a sticky film consisting of bacteria that forms on the teeth. When this plaque is left untreated, it hardens into tartar. Tartar collects bacteria and thus, irritates the gingiva, i.e. the gum that surrounds the base of the teeth. This further leads to gum infection or gingivitis.

Apart from this, several other factors such as aging, hormonal changes, family history, and smoking can also lead to gingivitis in the mouth.

If you notice any signs of inflammation, bleeding, redness, or pain in the gums, then it is advisable to immediately visit your dentist and get the required treatment. The dental professional will examine your mouth and on the basis of the severity of your oral condition, suggest treatment to combat infection around the gums. The treatment methods could range from deep cleaning the teeth, and prescribing antibiotics, to even surgical procedures in a few cases.

How To Prevent Gingivitis and Gum Diseases?

1] Healthy Oral Care Routine: Maintaining and following a healthy dental routine is extremely important in order to prevent gum diseases. It is recommended by professionals to use an electric brush and water flosser for teeth & gums twice every day. This helps in deep cleaning of the mouth, even in hard-to-reach areas where manual brushes and flossers cannot reach. These modern oral care products are more efficient in plaque removal, which is one of the major causes of gingivitis.

2] Healthy Lifestyle: A good healthy lifestyle includes a diet that is well-balanced and rich in nutrients. This helps in maintaining the overall health of the mouth. One must always limit their sugar consumption and should avoid overindulgence of the same. Along with this, it is essential to quit smoking and other tobacco-based products.

3] Regular Dental Check-ups: It is ideal to visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups of your gums and teeth. This will help in keeping your oral health in check, and treating any dental concern at an early stage if the need arises. This will prevent an individual from the risk of various complications that come along with an oral health issue.

Keep your mouth healthy & fresh at all times with good oral care!