Posts Tagged ‘gingivitis’

Get Gingivitis? Not Me. Are You Kidding?

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

gum disease

Gingivitis can happen to anyone, just because you’re in the list that is provided below, it doesn’t mean you will get it. The risk is just higher for people who are in these categories. But it’s important to fight gingivitis, before and after you have it.

You could be lucky enough to have a gingivitis free life but the odds are against it. Again just because you may match one or all of these risk factors it doesn’t mean you will get gingivitis. Brush and floss each day, and by all mean go and see your dentist when you should but be forewarned that up to 75% of people have some form of gum disease. The numbers probably wouldn’t be so high if brushing and flossing and visiting the dentist were all it took to stop it.

Most likely one of the highest risk groups for gingivitis is people who smoke or use chewing tobacco. Not only can smoking lead to cancer in your life but it can also make it so much harder to plaque off the gums and teeth. Plus, when you smoke some, treatments that are used to help may not work near as well.

Females, due to hormones, will be at a higher risk than other groups of getting gingivitis. People who suffer from diabetes or Down syndrome are also at a higher risk when it comes to gingivitis. Stress can be another huge factor when it comes to gum disease and gingivitis.

People who are taking prescription medicines for depression or heart are also in a high risk group. Because they will affect how much saliva is produced, and saliva helps to protect teeth. People who have AIDS or cancer, because of the treatments they receive, may develop gingivitis.

Also you may have a genetic chance of inheriting this problem from one of your parents. But again with proper care of your teeth, no matter if you are in a high risk group, you can still stay away from the problem of gingivitis. Although it may be difficult. If 80% of the population already has gingivitis or worse, you probably need more than just regular brushing and flossing to prevent the onset of this disease. Follow the links below to learn more about what you can do at home.

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.


How Do You Know If Your Gums Are Healthy?

Friday, August 21st, 2009

dental care

In this day and age, beauty really does matter and beauty often denotes health. The same thoughts can be applied to the gums. If you want beautiful gums, then they will obviously need to be healthy. How do you know if your gums are healthy? Well, really, that does not require a scientist – You should confirm with your dentist but here are the basics: You can determine this by examining them yourself. When you look at your gums in the mirror, do they look pink and not inflamed? Are your teeth clean and visually healthy? Do you make sure you get the plaque off of them every day? If so, then chances are, you have healthy gums. Here are some signs of unhealthy gums to watch out for.

Catching gum disease at an early stage is a great idea. At an early stage of gum disease, you will have tender, red and swollen gums. When you brush them with a toothbrush or floss them, they will bleed easily. You see, healthy gums never bleed when you regularly floss and brush them. At this stage, a oral irrigator might be helpful to you.

Generally speaking, gingivitis is not painful, so you may not notice any symptoms are present, which means you will not often catch it early for treatment. If you do not get this disease treated, then it is only going to progress forward. With gum disease often comes bad breath, try aktiv k-12  to defeat that.

When you have advanced gum disease, you may have bad breath no matter what you do. You could even end up losing your teeth. You may also have gums pulling away or receding from your teeth. Appropriate dental care is always important. 

Scott Wells recommends the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease for those seeking more information on this topic. ISBN: 978-0981485508

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.


Why Are My Gums Swollen and Red?

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

It has happened to many of us. We look in the mirror, noticed that are gums are sore and discolored. Invariably, we stretch our mouths open, peer into the mirror, twist this way and that for a better look. We inevitably ponder, “Why are my gums red and swollen?” We are right to wonder that, because this could point to some serious problems.

Now, there are some easy answers to this question. You might have just brushed your teeth too hard or too long. Your toothpaste might be too abrasive. Your tooth brush itself might have rough, harsh bristles. You might have gone at flossing a little too aggressively. After all, there is such a thing as sensitive gums. The oral irrigator is a tool that can help in this regard.

More often than you might think, however, the answer to this question is a bit more serious. Quite frequently, gingivitis is the reason your gums are red and swollen. Some of us have heard about gingivitis, through our dentists and of course through television. Still, many people do not know what it is. Others feel that adding a simple mouthwash like therabreath is enough to conquer the problem.  But, is it really?

Simply put, gingivitis is an inflammation of your gum tissue. It affects the soft gum tissue supporting and surrounding your teeth. If you have plaque buildup, you can get gingivitis. Microbes grow in the plaque. The microbes cause gingivitis, thus making it a bacterial infection. It is incredibly common, since we do have so much bacteria in our mouths.

Another sign of gingivitis is bleeding gums. That is why it is so easy for people to pass it off as a problem caused by brushing too hard. While that can be the case in some situations, you should never take sore, red, and bleeding gums lightly. It is imperative that you see your dentist as soon as possible.

The good news is that you can reverse the effects of this mild type of gum disease. An ozone generator can be used to make an oxygenated mouthwash. Your periodontist will have many treatment options and methods. Brushing and flossing regularly will also help. That can be part of a preventative measure protocol.