Gum care
Gum care is a topic many ignore until they start experiencing pain in the mouth. Poor oral health is linked to a number of chronic conditions, can result in impairment, and can lead to low self-esteem.
As part of your overall health, you must not overlook your gums when it comes to the health of your mouth! Your teeth and gums can stay healthy for the rest of your life if you take adequate care of them. Even if you don’t have any cavities, you might still have gum disease. Most people are unaware that something is amiss with their gums since it is typically painless.
What is the gums?
Gums are the soft tissue lining of the mouth that form a protective barrier and wrap the root of the tooth, keeping the teeth firmly fastened and protruding out. The Gingivae another name for them.
Check for increased redness and color change, together with swelling and an increased susceptibility to bleed, indicate inflammation caused by bacterial plaque formation.
The essential basis is to avoid simple sweets and to clean and floss your teeth gently every day. Tooth decay and gum disease are less likely if your teeth and gums are in good shape.
What is gum disease, exactly?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone that surrounds the teeth. Gum disease can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from bleeding gums to severe bone loss and gum recession. It can affect one or more teeth, and it can vary from gingivitis (gum tissue inflammation) to periodontitis (gum tissue infection) (loss of the bone that anchors the teeth).
Plaque builds up under and along the gum line, causing gum disease. Plaque is a bacteria-filled sticky coating that forms on the teeth. It can cause infections in the gums and bones, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is also caused by plaque. Gingivitis produces swollen, inflamed, red, painful, and bleeding gums.
This injury is recoverable since the bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place aren’t affected.
Plaque and tartar left on the teeth not only cause decay, but they also make their way beneath the gum line, causing significant gum disease. Eventually, the disease process may progress to the point where tooth extraction is the only option.
Periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease, is also a possibility. Periodontitis affects the bones that support your teeth.
Gum disease can be detected by looking for the following signs:
• separated or loose permanent teeth
• gums that readily bleed
• gums that are swollen, red, or sore
• gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• gums that are swollen, red, or tender
Gum disease can be avoided.
Likely causes of gum disease.
Your lifestyle, genetics, nutrition, and other everyday variables may put you at a higher or lower risk of gum disease. The following are some of the most prevalent causes of gum disease:
Tobacco use: According to several studies, smoking and using tobacco can dramatically raise your risk of gum disease.
Genetics: You are more prone to gum disease if you have a history of it or if someone in your family has it. As a result, you should see a dentist on a regular basis and pay special attention to your dental hygiene.
Medication: Taking drugs that dry out your mouth and cause tartar accumulation may raise your risk of gum disease. Steroids, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, chemotherapy, and blood pressure drugs are among medications that might increase your risk of gum disease.
Gum disease can be exacerbated by crooked teeth, damaged fillings, and dental appliances that don’t fit properly. It’s critical to see a dentist on a regular basis, especially if you know you’re at risk for gum disease.
Stress: High levels of stress may make it difficult for the body to fight infections, such as gum disease.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, are linked to an increased risk of gum disease. Chemotherapy and therapies for other diseases such as cancer and AIDS may raise your risk of periodontal disease. Illnesses weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to gum disease.
Hormones: Certain hormones connected with pregnancy, puberty, and menopause, according to research, may raise a woman’s risk of gum disease. During these periods, a woman’s dental hygiene should be prioritized.
Types of gum diseases
Periodontal disease can take many forms, but the following are the most frequent.
Chronic gingivitis. Inflammation, redness, and bleeding gums characterize this reversible, milder type of periodontal disease. Gingivitis does not cause bone loss, and it is readily avoided, as previously stated.
Aggressive periodontitis. In a short amount of time, there is a fast loss of gum attachment and bone degradation.
Chronic periodontitis. Periodontitis is the most frequent type of gum disease. It moves at a snail’s pace.
Necrotizing periodontal disease. An infection caused by the demise of the gum tissue and connective bone that surrounds the tooth. A foul odor and painful bleeding gums are two of its most typical symptoms.
What Should I Do for Good Oral Hygiene?
Here are a few things you can do to keep your gums in good shape.
1. Have your teeth cleaned on a regular basis.
If you visit your dentist on a regular basis, he or she will be able to spot early signs of gum disease. As a result, symptoms can be addressed before they worsen. Tartar may only be removed by a professional cleaning. It can help remove any plaque that you may have missed when brushing or flossing. Brushing, flossing, and frequent dental cleanings can help you reverse gingivitis.
2. Flossing
At least once a day, floss your teeth. This aids in the removal of plaque and food that your toothbrush cannot reach. It makes no difference when you floss. It can be done late at night, early in the morning, or after lunch.
3. Brush your teeth twice a day.
After each meal, brush your teeth. This aids in the removal of food and plaque that has become trapped between your teeth and gums. Scrub your tongue as well, since bacteria may live on it.
Consider using an electric or battery-powered toothbrush. These are more effective than manual brushing at reducing gingivitis and plaque. Brushes or toothbrush heads should be replaced every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles begin to fray.
4. Stop smoking.
Another incentive for smokers to give up is that smoking is significantly linked to the development of gum disease. Because smoking affects your immune system, it makes fighting off a gum infection more difficult. Furthermore, smoking makes it more difficult for your injured gums to recover.
5. Use a mouthwash with medicinal properties.
Therapeutic mouthwashes can help decrease plaque, prevent or lessen gingivitis, and slow the formation of tartar, among other things. A mouth rinse aids in the removal of food particles and debris from the mouth, but it is not a replacement for flossing or brushing. Look for the ADA seal, which indicates that the product is both effective and safe.
6. Use toothpaste with fluoride.
When it comes to toothpaste, there are a slew of options that claim to alleviate gingivitis, freshen breath, and whiten teeth. How can you know which is the best for keeping your gums healthy? Choose fluoride-containing toothpaste with the ADA mark of approval. After that, it’s up to you to decide on the flavor and color.
How to brush correctly
• Apply a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush’s head.
• Brush the teeth at a 45-degree angle up to the gum line with the toothbrush.
• Brush the teeth in a small circular motion with the brush. Continue cleaning one tooth at a time in this manner. Keep the bristle tips close to the gum line. If you press too firmly, the bristles will flatten against your teeth. (Only the toothbrush tips clean the teeth.) Allow the bristles to reach between the teeth.
• Brush across the tops of the teeth’s biting surfaces. Ensure that the bristles reach the grooves and crevices.
• Clean the backside of the upper and lower teeth (the side that faces the tongue) with the same little circular motion.
• Angle the head up and down toward the bottom inside of the mouth and move the toothbrush in a tiny circle to clean the inside of the bottom front teeth.
• Angle the brush in an up-and-down motion with the tip of the head pointed towards the roof of the mouth to clean the inside of the top front teeth. Make a tiny circle with the toothbrush.
• Brush your tongue with a few soft strokes, starting at the rear and working your way forward. Do not scrape the surface. This aids in the removal of microorganisms and the freshening of your breath.
• Rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth for two to three minutes.
• Every three to four months, replace your toothbrush with a new one.
How to floss your teeth?
At least once a day, floss your teeth. Flossing removes food and plaque stuck between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque can harden between teeth and become tartar, which needs to be removed by a dentist.
To floss
• Remove a length of floss about 18 inches long from the dispenser.
• Wrap the floss over each hand’s middle fingers, leaving a 1-inch portion available to floss. Floss your upper teeth first, then your lower teeth.
• Place the floss in your mouth and press it between your teeth with your index fingers. Take care not to injure your gums by pushing too hard.
• Move the floss around the gum line and up and down against the tooth. As you floss, the floss should form a C-shape around the tooth.
• Floss between all of your teeth and behind your back teeth.
• As required, use a new length of floss and wind old floss around your fingers to collect it.
Mouthwash
Pharmacies sell antiseptic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or hexetidine over the counter.
Mouthwashes can’t get rid of plaque that’s already there. This can only be accomplished by brushing and flossing on a regular basis.
If mouthwash helps control plaque build-up, your dentist may suggest it. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best mouthwash to use and how to use it properly.
If you use chlorhexidine mouthwash on a daily basis, it might colour your teeth brown.
Because some components in toothpaste can hinder the mouthwash from functioning, rinse your mouth completely between brushing your teeth and using a chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Chlorhexidine mouthwash should not be used for more than 4 days.
When to Visit the Dentist
If you notice indicators such as bleeding gums, bad breath, visibly inflamed or swollen gums, tooth pain, or persistent sensitivity, you should contact your dentist.
At least once every six months, see your dentist. Regular check-ups and expert cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums
You may also inquire about tooth sealants with your dentist. Sealant is a substance that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This coating protects teeth from decay and lasts a long time, but it can only be applied to teeth that are free of decay. It is frequently applied to a child’s permanent teeth when they emerge
What to eat and stay away from.
According to overwhelming data, sugar is the most significant dietary factor in tooth disease. The degree of decay is determined by the amount and frequency with which free sugars are ingested.
Foods and beverages to avoid
Sugar and sweet consumption should be avoided because bacteria in the mouth require sugar to make acids that erode enamel and cause tooth damage. The demineralization process begins when teeth are exposed to sugar, and it can take up to an hour for the mouth to recover to normal, non-acidic pH values.
Try to stay away from sugary foods like candies, sodas, chocolate, cookies, sweets, and sugary snacks, as well as fast food.
Crackers, bread, bananas, and morning cereals are examples of fermentable carbs.
It is critical to eat a range of nutrient-dense meals while avoiding those that are high in sugar and carbohydrates in order to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, celery, and carrots, are beneficial to eat in between meals because chewing stimulates saliva production, which protects teeth.
Any soft drink or fruit juice beverage should be consumed with caution, and water should be consumed abundantly.
Phosphoric acid, which is included in most soft drinks, inhibits the body’s capacity to absorb calcium. Fruit juices are also high in sugar, which is bad for your teeth. Drinking these beverages using a straw reduces the amount of time the acid is exposed to the teeth.
Chewing sugarless gum for 10 minutes after meals and snacks can also help prevent tooth decay.
Dental decay
Dental decay affects people of all ages, although the condition becomes more severe as they grow older.
The following are the main components of dental decay:
Cavities are portions of the hard surface of the teeth that have been permanently damaged and have developed into small apertures or holes. Tooth decay, or caries, is another name for cavities.
Tooth decay is caused by sugar exposure, but it also depends on the tooth’s susceptibility, the mouth’s bacterial profile, the quantity and quality of saliva, and the amount of time the tooth is exposed to sweets.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the gums. If you don’t get treatment right away, your condition might deteriorate, leading to periodontitis, a more serious ailment. Gingivitis can be classified into numerous phases, ranging from moderate to severe. Gingivitis and periodontitis are two of the most common causes of tooth loss.
When it comes to gingivitis, how long does it take to heal?
After a few days of therapy, you should see a difference, but it may take a few weeks for your symptoms to entirely disappear. Gingivitis normally goes away in 10 to 14 days in the majority of cases. It may take longer to treat your gingivitis if it is more serious.
To avoid it from happening again, take responsibility of your oral health. If you have a medical condition that makes gingivitis more likely, be sure to keep in touch with your dentist so they can keep track of any changes in your symptoms.
How to avoid gingivitis recurrence?
It is suggested that you visit the dentist at least once a year to maintain proper dental hygiene. You may need to see your dentist more frequently if you have any health concerns that put you at risk for gingivitis.
Make a point of doing the following in your everyday routine:
At least twice a day brush for at least two minutes.
At least once a day, floss your teeth.
Use a natural mouthwash once or twice a day.
Use a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles to avoid bruising your inflamed gums.
Sugar consumption should be limited.
Tobacco should not be chewed or smoked.
At the very least, see your dentist once a year.
Gum disease and other oral diseases can be prevented by eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
How to Diagnose Gum Disease?
Gum disease therapy aims to remove bacterial deposits and plaque from the teeth and gums. Surgical or non-surgical therapy options are available. For the treatment of gum disease, patients can use a variety of home remedies. The dentist evaluates how far the gum disease has developed while deciding on the best therapy.
Aside from home remedies, your dentist may suggest the following treatment options.
• Medication– Antibiotics may be prescribed by your dentist as a therapy for gum disease. If you have a persistent gum infection that isn’t responding to cleanings and home remedies, your dentist is likely to prescribe antibiotics. Gum treatment medications come in the form of gels, mouthwash, pills, or oral tablets. Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial mouthwash that helps to prevent gingivitis and plaque. Periodontal pockets are frequently treated with the drug. Tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline, also known as Arestin, are other antibiotics that can be used to treat gum disease. Gum disease will be treated with the appropriate medicine, which will be determined by your dentist.
• Surgery – If gum inflammation develops in regions that are difficult to reach with brushing and flossing, your dentist may consider surgical therapy. The dentist will access and clear the deposits behind your gums using a flap surgery technique. The dentist will use local anesthetic to raise the gums and clean the tooth roots during this treatment. The gum is then stitched back into place by the dentist.
Treatment Options for Advanced Periodontal Disease:
Gum grafts
Gum grafts can be used to cover exposed roots due by gum recession caused by gum disease. Gum tissue is taken from your palate or another source and used to cover the roots of one or more teeth by your dentist. Covering exposed roots reduces sensitivity while also protecting them from rotting and preventing additional gum recession and bone loss.
Disposing a Periodontal Abscess
Advanced gum disease can occasionally result in a periodontal abscess. An abscess on the gum line presents as a red, swollen sore. It’s advisable to consult a dentist as soon as you notice a strong pain in your gums, because the sooner an abscess is treated, the better! In this case, gum infection therapy typically entails emptying the abscess and thoroughly cleaning the region. Antibiotics can also aid in the removal of the infection.
Non-surgical Treatment
Scaling and root planning (SRP), a conservative, non-surgical method to periodontal disease therapy, is the initial stage. This procedure is performed by scraping and removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and root surfaces with devices specialized for this purpose by a dentist or dental hygienist. Then they smooth out any rough spots on the roots to prevent germs from re-forming. This process may need many visits. A local anesthetic might be used to assist alleviate any discomfort. Your gums will mend and reconnect to the healthy, clean surfaces of your teeth after this procedure. Your dentist will assess your recovery in a few weeks and determine whether more treatment is required.
Pocket Reduction Procedure
If you have severe periodontitis, you may need to have your teeth cleaned and gum disease-related loose teeth fixed. You may not be able to maintain the deep pocket area of your gums clean if the gum tissue does not fit tightly around the tooth after scaling and planing. This indicates that periodontal pocket reduction or flap surgery is an option for you. Your dentist can remove infectious bacteria and smooth regions of damaged bone by folding back the gum tissue. Gum tissue will repair to healthy bone after that.
Laser Treatment
Lasers have transformed a variety of sectors, including dental care. Although laser periodontal treatment is still in its initial phases, it has shown to be effective in some patients. This innovative treatment has a few obvious advantages. They include the laser’s capacity to precisely target the illness while being less intrusive and requiring less recuperation time. There is inadequate data to suggest that laser therapy is superior to other kinds of gum disease treatment. It would be beneficial if you discussed all treatment possibilities with your dentist.
Regenerative Procedures
Bone grafting is a surgical treatment that encourages bone development in areas affected by gum disease. Your dentist will clear out the germs and then put either natural or synthetic bone in the region where there is bone loss during this procedure. They’ll use tissue-stimulating proteins in this operation to help your body regenerate bone and tissue more effectively.
Pericoronitis
When a tooth (typically a wisdom tooth) tries to erupt but becomes trapped or impacted, it can cause gum infections. Over the trapped tooth, a tiny flap grows. Bacteria can quickly become stuck in this gum flap, resulting in pericoronitis infection. To eliminate any trapped food or debris, your dentist will normally advise you to rinse your gums with salt water. If bacteria persist, they may prescribe another course of antibiotics.
