Easy Steps To Fight Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a pretty common word for people who are familiar with dental health terminologies. However, you may wonder what it is and what to do if you have it. This condition refers to the swelling, pain, or bleeding of gums when you brush. It can also be a reason for a foul smell in your breath. These are the clear and most common signs of gingivitis. The good thing is that this problem is treatable and pretty much reversible.

In this article, we will discuss some easy steps to treat gingivitis. But first, let’s discuss how you might get gingivitis.

How does gingivitis develop?

Gingivitis is usually the result of inflammation in the gums due to the bacterial buildup around the gum line. This inflammation makes your gums more susceptible to bleed. Since gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, taking care of your oral hygiene can be quite beneficial. The fact of the matter is that a complete oral hygiene routine can help reverse gingivitis.

Fighting gingivitis by brushing your teeth properly

Brushing your teeth is the first step in fighting gingivitis. Here is how you can brush your teeth properly.

• Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is small enough to reach the back of your mouth to clean your molars.
• Make sure that the brush makes a 45-degree angle against your gum line while you brush.
• Use short back-and-forth motions but be gentle during the entire time. Pressing too hard can have adverse effects.

Remember, removing plaque buildup doesn’t require a lot of pressure while brushing, but you will have to remain committed to brushing your teeth regularly. The best practice is to brush your teeth for at least two minutes. You can divide your mouth into quadrants to allocate each of your teeth a fair bit of brushing time. You can use whatever technique you are comfortable with, but make sure not to skip any of your teeth. While brushing, make sure to clean both the front and back sides of all teeth. Don’t forget to brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth.

You also have to change your toothbrush regularly. Make sure to replace your old toothbrush with a new one every three months.

Flossing

Although brushing can clean the front and back sides of your teeth, it cannot clean areas between teeth. These areas are equally prone to developing plaque and subsequent dental problems. That is why you have to floss your teeth every day. Since flossing can be a little complicated than brushing, you can do it once a day. The best time to floss your teeth is right before going to bed.

To floss your teeth, you will need a flossing thread. Insert that thread into the space between two teeth and slide it gently. Before moving to the next interdental area, unwrap a couple of inches of new flossing thread to avoid moving bacteria to other teeth. Make sure to clean all interdental spaces this way.

Professional dental care

Make sure to visit your dentist every six months for a thorough checkup and cleaning of your teeth. Your dentist will tell you if there is a risk of any dental or oral health problems. This dental visit will also help you get rid of gingivitis quite effectively.