Gingivitis is a gum disease that is very common. The part of the gum at the base of the teeth is called gingiva. When this part gets swollen, and causes irritation, it is called gingivitis. Although it is a mild disease, it can lead to more serious conditions that might even lead to tooth loss.

Here is everything you need to know about gingivitis-

Symptoms

The signs of gum disease are easy to identify. Healthy gums are pink and tightly fitted. When you have gingivitis, here are the signs you can observe

• Tenderness in the gums
• Bad breath
• Dark red coloration in the gums
• Swelling and puffy gums
• Receding gums

These can be mild to severe based on the extent of the condition. The symptoms will progress with time. If a doctor is not consulted in the initial stages, it may not even be reversible.

Causes

There are many causes for gingivitis but the most common one is unhealthy oral hygiene. The plaque that forms on the teeth causes the inflammation in the tissues.

Here are the factors that can lead to gum disease-

• Not brushing the teeth on a regular basis
• Smoking can also lead to gum disease
• When dental restorations are not done properly it can lead to this condition
• Hormonal changes
• Genetics
• Low immunity due to AIDS or cancer can lead to gingivitis
• Viral or fungal infections
• Old age

The above can be the probable causes of gingivitis. It’s always better to consult a doctor and get diagnosed for the condition. They can provide you with the exact cause of your conditions.

Treatment

Treatment for gum disease involves personal care and professional cleaning. There are medications and cleanings that can treat the disease. You need to consult a dentist who will prescribe you medications to treat the disease. The right treatment can even reverse the condition.

Home treatments for the condition

Saltwater can help soothe the pain and also remove the bacteria. This will help relieve the bad breath too. Using a mouthwash can also help treat the condition. You have aloe vera, sage, guava etc. that can help treat and prevent gum disease. Practices like coconut oil pulling is a great way to treat gingivitis.

Prevention

There are many things you can do to prevent gingivitis.

• Regular Dental Visits

  It is vital that you visit your dentist on a regular basis. It will reduce the chances of all kinds of dental problems. You can even catch them at the early stages and treat it in time. An annual X-ray can help you see what a visual examination may have missed. This is bound to prevent gingivitis too.

• Oral Hygiene

  Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes is a must. It will prevent all chances of gingivitis. Flossing once a day is also a very good habit. It will remove bacteria and good particles that are left in the teeth.

Good oral hygiene can prevent gingivitis. Brushing teeth twice a day and regularly visiting the dentist can avoid and even reverse the condition.

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