Blog

  • Gingivitis and gum problems

    Are you having gum problems? If you are, then it’s possible you have gingivitis.

    What is gingivitis?

    It’s a common and mild form of gum disease that dentists refer to as periodontal disease. Symptoms include; irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. If you’re experiencing gingivitis then it’s important to treat it promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.

    This is the primary stage of a gum problem when you experience symptoms such as gums that are swollen or bleed easily. The complete list of gingivitis symptoms include:

    • Swollen or puffy gums
    • Dusky red or dark red gums
    • Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
    • Bad breath
    • Receding gums
    • Tender gums

    It’s important to treat gingivitis so that it doesn’t progress to periodontitis. Once it reaches to periodontitis it’s more difficult and more expensive to treat.

    There are home remedies you can try to deal with gingivitis, however it’s best to consult with your dentist to get the necessary treatment for this gum problem.

    Here are some of the things you can do to avoid gingivitis:

    • -Brush your teeth properly – By correctly brushing your teeth, you can make sure that any food particles from meals are removed from your mouth and cleaned. As a result, they’re unable to combine with oral acids to produce plaque deposits along the gum line. Make sure to clean your teeth at least twice day, ideally after each meal.
    • – Use dental floss – Your toothbrush can’t clean or reach some sections of your mouth. Dental floss should work for these regions. Floss can reach between the teeth and the gum line to remove food particles and other deposits that can raise your risk of gingivitis.
    • – Don’t smoke or use tobacco products – The toxic compounds in cigarettes and other tobacco products are detrimental for your dental health. If you expose your gum tissue to the harmful chemicals present in cigarettes on a regular basis, it could weaken and become more prone to disease.
    • – Go for regular dental check-ups – You can book directly with our dental hygienist and book a regular dental visit to help prevent gum issues developing. Prevention is better than cure so you can stop more advanced gum disease starting by seeing your dentist who’ll examine you and be able to identify any initial signs of gingivitis and provide you with the appropriate therapy.