Did you know that nearly half of adults in the US aged 30 or older show signs of gum disease? Gum disease or gingivitis is an infection of the gums due to irritants, bacteria, or other causes.
If this is left untreated, bacteria will not only affect the gums but spread toward the bone surrounding your teeth to cause irreversible periodontal disease.
Fortunately, reversing gingivitis is possible. But only if it is diagnosed and treated early. The early symptoms of gum disease manifest as swelling or redness of the gums, tooth sensitivity, and gums that easily bleed, especially when brushing the teeth.
As soon as you experience any of these, it is best to schedule with your dentist so they can plan how to do a gingivitis reversal successfully.
At LiveHealthy Dental, we always emphasize prevention over cure. Preventive dentistry targeted to achieve and maintain excellent oral health is the best way to fight gingivitis.
But if you are currently experiencing gum disease, you can draw hope from these tips that can reverse gingivitis at home.
The most common cause of gingivitis is plaque and bacteria build-up. But by practicing good oral hygiene, including regular toothbrushing, you can effectively remove these irritants to reverse gingivitis.
Make sure to brush your teeth at least 2 to 3 times a day, use fluoride-rich toothpaste, and rinse with mouthwash to keep your teeth healthy and clean.
Sometimes, toothbrushing is not enough for a whole mouth clean. To remove plaque beneath the gum line and the in-betweens of teeth, using dental floss after brushing your teeth is important. When done consistently and correctly, this can prevent and reverse gingivitis.
If you are quite the dessert person, you may want to lay low on it if you have gingivitis. Sugar can cause gingivitis when it is not removed from the teeth. Over time, this will attract bacteria that can cause gum disease.
And the last tip for reversing gum disease is to have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. For some patients, your dentist at LiveHealthy Dental may even recommend visiting the dentist quarterly to manage gingivitis.
Through routine hygiene appointments, your dentist can scrape off all plaque and hard deposits that may trigger a gum infection.
Yes, gingivitis is a reversible disease that will resolve when the factors causing it are removed. After getting your teeth professionally cleaned, you can maintain the health of your teeth and gums with good oral hygiene habits. By reinforcing your oral health, you can reverse gum disease.
How to know if gingivitis is going away? As you keep your oral health in tip-top condition, your gums naturally revert to their normal color and shape. Bleeding, teeth sensitivity and bad breath will no longer be a problem.
However, if your gums have pulled away, these will not regenerate on their own. So, you may need to explore other options with your dentist to improve the aesthetics of your smile.
A LiveHealthy Dental, we have trained dentists that can provide the most accurate treatment solutions for your smile concerns. Book a consultation today and find out how we can help you achieve a happy and healthy smile.