Everything You Need to Know About Gingivitis

When it comes to dental health, we’re all familiar with cavities and tooth sensitivity, but what about the health of your gums? Similarly, to how teeth develop cavities, your gums can develop gingivitis. In order to prevent this problem, it is important that parents understand what gingivitis is, what causes it, and of course how to treat it.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. People with gingivitis have red and inflamed gums that bleed easily from brushing or flossing. Chronic bad breath, even after brushing your teeth, is another common symptom associated with gingivitis. As gingivitis gets worse, you will begin to develop pockets between your teeth and gums that leave space for food to get stuck. This will eventually lead to more advanced gum disease that requires more aggressive treatment from a dental professional. However, you can fight gingivitis at home with proper dental care techniques.

How Can You Prevent Gingivitis?

Gingivitis can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene each day. You should brush your teeth at least twice each day. Brush using a soft-bristled toothbrush and angle the brush towards your gum line. This slight angle helps remove food and plaque from your gums before it can cause gingivitis. Additionally, you should floss daily. It is important that you make sure your kids floss all of their teeth because many children skip the back molars due to inconvenience. There are special flossing tools you can buy at stores that make reaching back teeth easier. Your dentist or oral hygienist can teach you how to floss effectively to reduce your risk of gingivitis. Also, using gingivitis fighting mouthwash will continue to protect your gumline after you finish brushing and flossing.

Other Ways to Reduce Gingivitis Risk

Another great way to reduce your gingivitis risk is by keeping your mouth as clean as possible between brushing. After you eat, enjoy a piece of sugar-free gum. The gum helps activate your saliva glands and all of that extra moisture will remove any leftover food particles. Incorporating crunchy foods into your child’s diet, such as carrots, can also help prevent food buildup between teeth and around your gums.

Schedule A Dentist Appointment with All Pro Dental

Your children should visit a dentist every 6 months to receive proper teeth cleaning and evaluation. If your dentist notices early warning signs for gingivitis, they will be able to help your kids reverse it before it becomes a more severe version of gum disease. Gingivitis is something that nearly half of all American’s battle with, and because of how common it is, dentists are very aware of how to fight it. Give our office a call today to schedule your cleaning and consultation.