Having gingival diseases such as gingivitis is very common. One in four adults has some form of gingivitis. If you have it, it is essential to look at the four things you should know about gingivitis to stop the progress of the disease.

1. The principal cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque on teeth due to poor dental hygiene. 

What is the plaque made of? Food debris, mucus, and bacteria accumulated on the teeth. Plaque causes tartar to form. This is why inflammation of the gums occurs. Therefore, whenever plaque accumulates, gingivitis will occur. A higher degree of inflammation causes irreversible damage to the structures of the teeth.

If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth and are also very shiny and red, bacteria have already infected the area. In many cases, people with gingivitis are unaware that their gum health is compromised.

If prolonged over time, it evolves towards the destruction of hard tissue, especially in people who have some kind of susceptibility or genetic predisposition. Gingivitis, with proper treatment, is fully reversible. 

2. These are some of the early symptoms.

  • Inflamed or swollen gums.
  • Dark red or purplish gums.
  • Bleeding gums
  • Bad breath.
  • Receding gums.
  • Sensitive gums.

3. If you don’t treat your gingivitis quickly, it will progress negatively.

If it’s not treated at the right time, the disease progresses… with possible complications such as:

  • Recurrence of gingivitis.
  • Periodontitis.
  • Infection or abscess in the gums or jawbones.
  • Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis.

4. Most patients ignore these fundamental tips to avoid gingivitis.

Daily oral hygiene. 

Maintaining optimal oral health is as simple as brushing your teeth after every meal. Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes. Mechanical removal of bacterial plaque should be done daily.

Eat healthy food. 

Healthy foods protect you against gingivitis. The lactic acid in yogurt helps inhibit bacterial growth. The glycoprotein present in milk is also favourable against this disease.

To visit the dentist annually.

Going to the dentist twice a year is a proper way to ensure that you can receive the necessary treatment before complications appear due to not treating the disease in time. A professional dental cleaning will help you eliminate those deposits of tartar and bacteria lodged in your mouth.

Avoid tobacco.

Tobacco masks the symptoms even when your problem has led to periodontitis.

Use anti-gingivitis or anti-plaque toothpaste.

These increase the levels of fluoride that prevent the proliferation of bacteria. Your dentist should recommend the ideal toothpaste for you after making a diagnosis.

Use an antibacterial mouthwash.

If your gums bleed occasionally and slightly, you should make mouth rinses with protective coats.

Floss at least once a day.

Dental floss reaches every corner of the teeth more easily.

All these measures are essential to avoid gingivitis and help prevent it from progressing if it has already appeared.

If you have symptoms of gingivitis, make an appointment with the dentist to do a complete study of your case and plan an effective treatment. If you have any further questions contact our experienced dentists in Hornsby.