Your Gum Health
Your gum health affects how you feel inside, as well as the smile that the rest of the world sees. Taking a few steps to improve your oral health will not only improve your smile but will improve your overall well being.
The onset of Gum disease occurs when the buildup of plaque on your teeth reaches your gum line creating an environment for infection to potentially occur in your gums. What you would notice would typically be swollen and sometimes bleeding gums.
Bad breath is a likely outcome of gum disease as well. If things have come to this stage, it is best to try and nip this infection in the bud right here, before a more serious case of gum disease sets in. This stage of gum disease is called gingivitis
Gum disease if left untreated can lead to tooth loss and the potential for compromised bone and tissue.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems adults face. That said, gum disease can begin at just about any age. Gum disease often develops slowly and without causing any pain. Sometimes you may not notice any signs until the disease is serious and you are in danger of losing teeth.
It’s not all bad news! Gum disease is both preventable and treatable. The prevention comes from a proper oral care regimen care.
Simple Oral Regimen to Improve Gum Health
- Brush your teeth twice a day, and if possible after each meal. Try and ensure that you brush your teeth on each occasion for at least two minutes.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day.
- Use a good quality mouthwash at night before you go to bed.
- Cut down on sugary treats.
- Stop smoking. Period.
- Chew Gum that does not contain sugar.
- Ensure that you see your Dentist at the frequency that your Dentist recommends that you need for your Dental care. Regular dental cleanings are pivotal to ensure that you don’t get any gum disease or any gum disease that you do get is nipped in the bud.
When to See a Dentist for your Gum Health
If you find that your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or if you find that your gums appear to be red and inflamed, then you may have gingivitis. You should try and see your dentist ideally as soon as possible after you notice this change in your gum condition.
Your dentist will be able to examine your gums and recommend the best treatment for your specific situation, which could include a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums, medication, a medicated mouth wash and even gum surgery for gingivitis, in some cases.
Salt Water Home Remedy for Inflammation of the Gums
You should ensure that you are following the Oral health regimen that we have listed above. You could add to this regimen the home remedy of saline mouthwash rinse.
Rinsing with salt water is a good age-old home remedy that is traditionally believed to dry up bacteria. It can be used to temporarily alleviate discomfort from inflammation of the gums.
This saltwater rinse can help contain the inflammation and some reduce some discomfort. At this time you should, however, make an appointment to see your dentist right away.
How to prepare a saltwater solution for a mouth rinse
- Pour boiling water into a glass and let it cool to lukewarm
- Take another glass container and add into it 1 tsp of salt
- Add 1 tsp of baking soda to the salt
- Pour the lukewarm water into this 50/50 mix of salt and baking soda and stir it well
- Rinse your mouth with this water
- Dip your toothbrush into this solution and gently massage your gums and brush your teeth
- Repeat 3 to 4 times a day
Care needs to be taken in understanding that while a saltwater rinse can help. But people with certain health conditions like High Blood Pressure must exercise caution and avoid this remedy unless they have taken advice from their dentist or physician.
Additionally, exercise care that the water is not too salty. Water that’s too salty can actually irritate the tissues in your mouth, so start with a small amount.
If there is no relief from this treatment, you must make an effort to see your Dentist right away. Remember that the saltwater rinse can help temporarily alleviate discomfort and some symptoms of gum inflammation. It is, however, no cure for gingivitis or gum disease.
Treatment for Gum Disease
Prompt treatment usually reverses symptoms of gingivitis and prevents its progression to more serious gum disease and tooth loss.
Professional gingivitis care will include the following:
Professional dental cleaning: This professional cleaning includes the procedures of scaling and root planing. The objective of this treatment will be to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. This process may be performed with instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device.
Dental restoration: Often the challenge in optimal oral care has to do with misaligned teeth or the result of poorly placed Crowns or Dental Bridges. The outcome of this challenge could make it difficult for you to remove plaque from certain areas in your mouth with your regular brushing and flossing. Your dentist might recommend a solution to fix these problems.
Ongoing care: You will find that unless highly progressed, gingivitis is generally treatable with thorough professional cleaning. If you are consistent with your at-home oral hygiene, you should see the return of pink, healthy gum tissue within a few weeks.
The key to preventing the re-emergence of gingivitis is continued good oral hygiene at home. The American Dental Association has some excellent tips on how to maintain good oral hygiene at home. To read more, click here.
Talk to our Dentists at Aurora Family Dentistry, they will help you with your treatment planning, and advice you the most effective oral care regimen that you can follow at home.
Take care of your gums. Take care of your smile!
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