Gingivitis
Gingivitis | Pain in the gums is something that no one ever wants to go through. You may find that you can’t really eat or drink anything that you normally enjoy, or you may even have difficulty speaking due to constant pain. Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease that is becoming increasingly common these days. Here are some ways that you can treat gingivitis before it gets out of control.
No one ever wants to experience gingivitis. But there is a silver lining when you are diagnosed with this common condition: It is reversible. When it progresses to the more serious form, called periodontitis, it becomes irreversible and can threaten the loss of your teeth.
Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis is caused by an accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is formed due to the action of oral bacteria when a patient does not properly clean their teeth at home. Over time, plaque secretes acids that irritate the gums supporting and surrounding the teeth. Some possible causes of gingivitis include:
- Hormonal changes while pregnant
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Some medications
At-Home Remedies
Most home remedies for gingivitis share one thing in common: antibiotics. Antibiotics are not just a prescription; there are many natural substances that are able to kill oral bacteria, including:
- Saltwater rinses
- Cranberry juice
- Cloves
- Lemon juice (always rinse your mouth out with water due to the high acid and sugar load)
- Cayenne powder
- Baking soda
- Tea tree oil
- Listerine mouthwash
Additional Tips
As mentioned earlier, gingivitis is a reversible form of gum disease. And since it is caused by the presence of plaque, it is vitally important that you visit your dentist at the frequency that they recommend so that plaque can be removed from your teeth.
So you will be starting out fresh after every dental cleaning appointment. As a result, you will want to follow up at home by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth to remove food debris and particles that allow oral bacteria to thrive. If you keep up with your at-home oral routine, you should be able to effectively treat gingivitis so that it does not progress into periodontitis.
Dental Cleanings
Another extremely important reason to maintain your dental cleaning appointments is that gingivitis may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. But your dental team will definitely spot any early signs of gingivitis so that you can receive the appropriate treatment and reverse the condition.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you suspect that you are developing gingivitis, it is extremely important that you contact us as soon as possible so that we can examine you and recommend the appropriate course of action. Continue to keep up with your routine exam and cleaning appointments. Have you fallen behind in this area? Please contact us as soon as possible to get back on track.
