Gingivitis is the most common periodontal disease (the tissues surrounding the teeth), which is accompanied by gum inflammation, redness and irritation. If gingivitis is not treated in time, it can lead to more serious illnesses, so start treatment now if you find any symptoms of gingivitis. Here's how to properly brush and floss your teeth and how to treat gingivitis and prevent it from reoccurring.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: How to treat mild gingivitis
Step 1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque, an invisible, sticky film of bacteria that settles on your teeth after consuming sugar and starch. If the film is present on the teeth for a long time, the minerals present in the saliva settle on it, and a hard sediment, or tartar, forms. It irritates the areas of the gums adjacent to the teeth and causes bone resorption, which leads to exposure of the roots of the teeth. To prevent plaque accumulation on the teeth, they should be brushed at least twice a day - this is the first step in treating gingivitis.
- Use a soft bristled toothbrush and change it every 2-3 months. Electric brushes may be more effective at removing plaque and tartar - try using them instead of regular brushes.
- Be sure to brush your teeth before bed. Otherwise, food particles will remain on your teeth overnight, resulting in plaque and increased gum irritation. Brushing your teeth before bed is very important as it helps keep you healthy and reduces bacteria in your mouth.
Step 2. Brush your teeth correctly
Do this for at least 2-3 minutes. Pay special attention to the more inflamed areas of the gums, where the bacteria are most common. Brush your teeth in a circular motion, as this removes bacteria better than straight side-to-side strokes.
Brush your teeth even in the face of irritation, pain, or bleeding. If you don't brush your teeth, the condition will only get worse. Brush your teeth the right way twice a day, and after about a week, the gingivitis will begin to go away
Step 3. Floss your teeth once a day
The floss will help you reach the places between your teeth where the toothbrush can't reach and where bacteria are most likely to accumulate. When treating gingivitis, you should floss your teeth daily. Use waxed thread or special thread frames.
Step 4. Use dental floss correctly
You should properly floss your teeth. Slide the floss between adjacent teeth all the way to the gum and scrape the sides of the teeth with it to remove bacteria, then pull out the floss. Use a separate piece of floss for each pair of teeth.
If you haven't flossed for a while and then started brushing your teeth again, your gums may bleed a lot at first. Continue flossing your teeth daily and the bleeding will go away in 1–2 weeks
Step 5. Use a mouthwash
Antiseptic mouthwashes remove bacteria from hard-to-reach areas where toothbrushes and floss cannot penetrate. Choose a sugar-free liquid and rinse your mouth with it at least once a day for at least 30 seconds after brushing or flossing your teeth.
Rinsing your mouth helps clear bacteria from the upper palate and throat
Step 6. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
The water keeps your teeth clean, which in turn helps prevent plaque build-up. Drink 8 glasses (2 liters) of water daily. With a normal water balance, enough saliva forms in the mouth, which creates a protective membrane around the teeth.
- Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and refill it periodically to stay hydrated.
- Drink plain water instead of sugary drinks, coffee, tea and alcohol.
- In some regions, tap water is fluoridated, which helps to strengthen tooth enamel. If you live in such an area, it is better to drink tap water rather than bottled water so that your teeth get enough fluoride.
- You should find out how much fluoride is in the water. Too much fluoride is toxic and can even lead to cancer.
Method 2 of 3: How to Treat Moderate Gingivitis
Step 1. Use oral irrigators
Dentists recommend moisturizing your mouth, which is a great way to properly clean your teeth and gums. The brush and floss do not penetrate under the gums, where bacteria can also collect. Oral irrigators are used for this purpose.
- Oral irrigators fill your mouth with a pressurized stream of water to flush out food debris and bacteria.
- With an oral irrigator, you can remove what your toothbrush couldn't clean. In addition, it massages the gums well and thus improves blood circulation and prevents inflammation.
- Oral irrigators are commercially available that are easy to use and can be connected to a shower head or bathroom faucet.
- Never use oral irrigators as a substitute for dental floss.
Step 2. Don't eat sweets
If your diet is high in sugary drinks, candy, and other sources of sugar, try to limit the amount so that less plaque builds up on your teeth. Even fruit juices contain enough sugar, which causes plaque to develop. Eating starchy foods such as pizza leads to a similar problem.
If you do eat foods high in sugar, take them with a glass of water. Rinse your mouth with water to wash off the sugar, then swallow it
Step 3. Brush your teeth after eating
Consider brushing your teeth after eating a sugar- or starch-rich meal, even if it means brushing your teeth three times a day instead of two. Keep your toothbrush in your car, office, or bag so you can use it whenever you want.
Keep in mind that brushing your teeth often right after a meal can erode tooth enamel, so only do it after eating a meal that causes bacteria to grow and build up plaque
Step 4. Eliminate acidic foods and drinks from your diet
Some foods are high in acid. The acid eats away at tooth enamel and promotes bacterial growth, which increases the risk of gingivitis. The following foods and drinks contain a lot of acid:
- citrus fruits and juices from them;
- alcoholic beverages with a high phosphorus content;
- some meats such as corned beef and turkey;
- some types of cheese, such as parmesan.
Method 3 of 3: Treating severe gingivitis
Step 1. Get regular oral cleaning with your dentist
When plaque hardens and turns into tartar, you are unlikely to be able to remove it with a brush or floss. To regularly get rid of plaque, brush your teeth at the dentist every six months. Plaque can cause gum disease and gingivitis.
Step 2. If you have gingivitis, visit your dentist
The doctor will deeply clean your teeth and recommend suitable home treatments. Gingivitis can be cured with proper oral hygiene, without any medications or other measures.
Step 3. Follow the recommendations of the dentist
As noted above, your doctor will advise you on how to properly care for your oral cavity to prevent recurrent gingivitis. It is essential to adhere to these guidelines in order to maintain oral health in between dental visits.
It happens that permanent dentures interfere with effective cleaning of teeth and gums. Talk to your dentist about ways to help keep your mouth clean and prevent gingivitis
Step 4. Continue to visit your dentist regularly after treatment
It is imperative that your doctor constantly monitors your teeth and gums and removes plaque and bacteria that cause gingivitis. Schedule dental appointments and don't miss them, even if they are just routine check-ups. A light brushing of your teeth or a quick examination of your mouth can help prevent emerging problems.
Step 5. Quit smoking
Smoking increases your risk of gum disease, including gingivitis. In addition, this bad habit causes many other health problems, so you need to get rid of it as soon as possible. Try to limit the number of cigarettes, or it is better to stop smoking altogether.
- Using tobacco in other forms, such as sniffing or chewing, is also harmful to the gums. Stop chewing tobacco as soon as possible to get rid of gingivitis and other oral problems.
- To prevent recurrence of gingivitis, brush your teeth immediately after you smoke or chew tobacco.