Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease caused by plaque built up around your gum line. You may have gingivitis if your gums are inflamed, swollen, or sore when you clean your teeth. This information may make you feel like you have lost in the domain of dental hygiene, but you should not worry about it because it is actually relatively common. You must take the necessary actions to reverse your gum disease as soon as possible since, if left untreated, it can evolve into a more severe condition. Therefore, you must take the necessary procedures as soon as possible. We have some tips and treatments to get rid of gingivitis that will get your gums back to good health so you can continue smiling.
What Is Gingivitis?
Plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless film that forms when bacteria builds up around your gum line. If you don't take care of plaque, it can toughen and turn into tartar. Both plaque and tartar cause gum disease. In its early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis. The Journal of Dental Research says that 47.1% of US adults over the age of 30 have some kind of gum disease. If you do not treat gingivitis, it can lead to periodontitis. When you have this more severe form of gum disease, your teeth can become loose or even fall out. That is why it is so essential to take note of gingivitis as soon as you notice signs of it.
What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?
Gingivitis Causes
- Poor hygiene
- Smoking
- Unhealthy diet
- Stress
- Obesity
- Age
- Poor oral hygiene
Diagnosis
Gingivitis is a clinical condition. This indicates that the doctor or dentist can conclude by listening to the patient's medical and dental history and completing an oral exam on the patient. Tests on the patient's blood, X-rays, and tissue samples may be necessary if they are not responding to the initial treatment. On the other hand, the individual needs to get a checkup to rule out any underlying diseases that could cause gingivitis.
Treatments To Get Rid of Gingivitis
Here are some of the possible available treatments to get rid of gingivitis:
1. Dental Restoration
If your teeth are not straight or if your crowns, bridges, or other dental restorations don't fit well, they can irritate your gums and make it harder to remove plaque when you brush and floss every day. If teeth or dental work problems cause your gingivitis, your dentist may tell you to fix these problems.
2. Dental Cleaning
During your first professional cleaning, all of the plaque, tartar, and bacterial products will be removed. This is called scaling and root planning. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and under your gums. Root planning gets rid of the bacteria caused by infection, softens the root surfaces to stop tartar and bacteria from building up again, and lets the tooth heal properly. Devices, such as a laser, or an ultrasonic instrument, may be used to do the procedure.
3. Care
Gingivitis usually goes away after a professional cleaning, as long as you take care of your teeth at home. Your dentist will help you make a plan for a good program you can do at home and a schedule for regular checkups and cleanings.
4. Brush Effectively
Make sure you brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily. Consider getting an electric toothbrush, which will clean your teeth better than a regular one. Pay special attention to the gum line, where many harmful plaque bacteria can build up. A healthier mouth starts with the gums.
5. Flossing
Flossing is a great way to treat gingivitis because it removes food particles that could feed plaque but could be missed by a toothbrush.
Takeaway
You don't have to worry about the health consequences of having gingivitis. Gingivitis can be prevented and treated more effectively now that you have a better understanding of what it is and how to avoid it. Try the suggested treatments to get rid of gingivitis. Make sure you visit your dentist if the problem persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I get rid of gingivitis fast?
A. Gingivitis is best treated by having a dentist remove plaque buildup below the gum line, and this is called periodontal treatment. Gingivitis causes gums to swell, turn red, and hurt. These symptoms usually go away in 10 to 14 days after treatment.
Q. How long does it take to get rid of gingivitis?
If you take care of your teeth, in their early stages, gingivitis usually goes away in two weeks. If gingivitis worsens, you will need a deep cleaning to remove the plaque under your gums. If you keep up with your oral hygiene at home, most people will be free of symptoms 10 to 14 days after a deep cleaning.
Q. Is gingivitis curable?
A. Most cases of gingivitis can be treated. Gingivitis can be treated by taking better care of your teeth and gums daily. Deep cleaning of the gums by a dentist or dental hygienist is often enough to reverse gingivitis in its later stages.
Q. Can you get rid of gingivitis on your own?
If you brush and floss your teeth correctly daily, you can reverse gingivitis in its early stages. In the later stages of gingivitis, a dentist must remove plaque and bacteria from deep below the gum tissues.
Q. How do dentists treat gingivitis?
A. Gingivitis is treated by eliminating plaque from deep within the gum tissues. Scaling is the procedure of removing plaque from below the gum line on a tooth using a pick-like tool. The following scaling is root planning. To make it easier for the gum tissue to reattach to the tooth, the dentist or dental hygienist smooths the tooth's surface under the gum line. While the gum tissue recovers, the dentist may use slow-release topical antibiotics under the gums or between the teeth to combat bacteria.
Also Read: How To Treat Swollen Gums With Braces?