How To Avoid and Fight Off Gingivitis

What is gum disease exactly?- Gum disease can be but is not often an extremely painful and uncomfortable infection affecting the tissue and bone area around teeth. Bacteria found in plaque and tartar build-up is the one and only culprit causing the infection. Bacteria in turn is caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene.

Who’s likely to get the disease?- If you have teeth and gums you are likely to get gum disease. However certain persons have been identified as having a greater tendency to develop gum problems. These persons include teenage girls suffering from hormonal fluctuations that make them more susceptible to diseases, smokers also have higer risk of getting the problem and certain conditions, medication and brace wearing can also increase your risk.

Identifying the disease- Gum disease is easy to identify with gum bleeds while flossing and brushing teeth and gums, gums have overall unhealthy appearance and colour, gums will pull away from teeth, breath will be unpleasant and teeth loose or falling out.

Can I preventing the condition?- Prevention is always the preferred choice. This is easily achieved by just following a proper oral hygiene regime. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily as well as after eating and drink sugary and acidic foods or drinks. Toothpaste containing fluoride is recommended. Flossing is also essential as the fine thread will reach areas your toothbrush is unable to.

Is it easy to treatment?- Treatment is not always quick and easy depending on the severity of the condition. A scaling and root planing is used for treatment and prevention, the bacterial build-up is scraped away to cure present infection and to prevent further or future infection. Antibiotics is another common treatment method in mouthwash, gel, fibre or pill form. Surgery and gingival grafting may be required in extreme cases.