Treatments For Gingivitis

Gingivitis is basically inflammation of the gums. There is no doubt that it's primarily caused by lack of oral hygiene. Even people who brush every day can suffer from gingivitis if they don't take great care over the spaces between the teeth and the area where the gum meets the teeth. The gums can harbor food particles and bacteria just under the edges, and if the area is not regularly cleaned and flushed out, plaque and bacteria build to the point where they start causing inflammation.

The first step in treating gingivitis must be to correct the failures in oral hygiene. Plaque that is not removed within 72 hours will proceed to harden. Then it cannot be removed by flossing or brushing. For this reason any program to overcome gingivitis should probably begin with a trip to the dentist for a professional cleaning.

Keep Up the Good Work

After that, regular brushing and flossing should be kept up no matter what. It may be painful at first but the task should nonetheless be undertaken, albeit gently. Partial dentures will increase the likelihood of plaque buildup so it's worth having a check up for tartar buildup every three to four months.

Some drugs can increase the likelihood of plaque buildup. Birth control pills and cyclosporine are two. Some medications for high blood pressure, such as nifedipine can also do it. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, will also make you susceptible to gingivitis.

If gingivitis is left to develop it will eventually turn into periodontal disease. This is where advanced infection and inflammation cause the gums to shrink and deteriorate to the point where the teeth begin to loosen and fall out. All stages of gum disease usually result in some degree of bad breath which cannot be successfully treated until all underlying causes are eliminated.