When we talk about paying more attention to our health, it should include our oral health as well. We often tend to overlook the importance of oral hygiene and trivialize the importance of brushing before you go to bed. Poor dental care is the harbinger of other serious dental issues that can soon become a cause for concern. One such dental condition that arises out of neglect for dental hygiene is Gingivitis.
Gingivitis is a gum disease characterized by the inflammation of the gum tissue around the teeth. People usually don’t realize that they are suffering from Gingivitis until their gums start bleeding during brushing or flossing. When the build-up of plaque on the teeth isn’t removed by brushing and flossing, it turns into tartar, which is harder than a plaque. This tartar keeps building at the base of the teeth, thereby irritating the gums in this process. This type of gum disease is often attributed to poor dental hygiene, puberty, menopause, and hormonal changes might also trigger this condition.
Though Gingivitis might come across as quite challenging, it can be treated easily. The different treatment methods of curing this gum disease are as follows-
- Salt water treatment
The salt water treatment is an effective home remedy for this gum disease that people vouch for. Salt has soothing effects and a salt water rinse can definitely help the gums to heal on its own. Moreover, salt is a natural disinfectant, so you can get rid of the bacteria responsible for worsening the condition. Rinsing your mouth with salt water at least three to four times a day can help soothe the inflamed gums, remove food particles, reduce bacteria, helps deal with the pain, and reduces bad breath. - Prescription mouthwash
To combat Gingivitis, the dentist might prescribe a medicated mouthwash for you. Such prescription mouthwashes are instrumental in reducing the inflammation of the gums and they destroy the bacteria that can cause severe gum infection. However, certain prescription mouthwash contain alcohol, which dries out the mouth. Dry mouth is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and can worsen the condition. So, choose a prescription mouthwash without alcohol for better results. - Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a traditional technique which has been successfully keeping dental health threats at bay. This technique requires you to swish oil around in your mouth for around 20 to 30 minutes, and this dramatically reduces disease-causing bacteria, eliminates toxins and improves one’s overall oral health. For this purpose, you can use coconut oil or arimedadi oil since both of them are effective in combating Gingivitis, and leaves your gums and teeth healthy as ever. - Fluoride
Fluoride is one of the major components of toothpaste which are instrumental in preventing tooth decay and gum diseases. As an immediate form of treatment for Gingivitis, the dentist might suggest opting for prescription fluoride instead of over-the-counter fluoride which isn’t as effective as the former one. The fluoride gel is quite effective in preventing tooth decay and strengthens the enamel which is often affected by Gingivitis. - Root Planing
This form of treatment is opted for when Gingivitis is quite severe. This process involves deep cleaning under the gums to get rid of the bacteria that are holed up in the roots of the teeth. Local anesthesia is often administered for numbing the particular area while the procedure is in effect.
