Proper dental care is crucial for healthy teeth, but daily brushing and flossing also ensures that your gums remain in good shape. When people are neglectful about dental care, gingivitis can become an issue.
This mild form of gum disease is characterized by inflammation, redness, and bleeding while brushing and flossing. While the effects of gingivitis can be reversed, you must take the proper steps as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage.
If you notice signs of gingivitis, it is best to visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning and instructions on how to properly care for your gums at home. The only way to stop gum disease from getting worse is through dental care, but you can use non-prescription medication to control any discomfort associated with this common dental condition.
For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling of the gums. Keep in mind that these medications only offer temporary relief from gingivitis symptoms.
Without proper dental intervention, gingivitis will eventually progress to periodontitis, a more severe type of gum disease. Unlike gingivitis, the effects of periodontitis are permanent and cannot be reversed. In this case, a person may require treatments like scaling and root planning along with other forms of professional dental care.
The good news is that advanced gum disease can often be avoided when you take the following steps:
While brushing is crucial for preventing gingivitis and more serious forms of gum disease, you must be mindful of how you brush. Be sure that you are cleaning your teeth along the gumline to remove lingering plaque. And when choosing a toothbrush, look for a brand with soft bristles. A hard-bristled brush can damage gum tissue, which then becomes vulnerable to oral bacteria.