Over half of all adults in the United States currently have some form of periodontal disease.
If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic gingivitis, then you know what a pain it can be — quite literally.
Usually, the inflamed gums caused by gingivitis are the result of bacteria and plaque that have been able to build up on your teeth and gums over time.
According to our Chattanooga dentist, If your gums bleed when you brush them, you have halitosis, or if you notice that your gums look swollen, you may have gingivitis.
Want to learn how to reverse gingivitis so that you don’t eventually lose your teeth and suffer other health consequences?
If so, then read on.
1. Quit Your Bad Habits
The first step in learning how to reverse gingivitis?
It’s time for you to stop doing the things that are likely making it worse.
This includes smoking, which actually makes your body’s immune system unable to stave off gum infections and other diseases in the mouth and tongue.
You should also try to limit the amount of refined carbs that you’re eating — this means putting down the white bread for now.
Avoid sticky and chewy foods, and especially stay away from foods that are high in sugar.
Instead, check out recipes like for dishes like these that are high in fiber and good for your gums.
2. Up Your Oral Hygiene Habits
Of course, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that remembering to floss and brush several times every day will help you to reverse mild gingivitis.
However, you need to make sure you’re doing it the right way — and that you’re taking additional steps when it comes to oral care.
At minimum, you need to brush twice a day, for two minutes each time. Aim to brush in circular motions. Check out this video to make sure you’re brushing in the most effective way.
Additionally, you should invest in some antibacterial mouthwash.
This will ensure that you’re able to wipe out the bacteria in your mouth and gums that’s actually causing the gingivitis in the first place. Rinse your mouth after you brush and floss, and aim to swish the mouthwash around for about thirty seconds each time.
3. Make Professional Cleanings a Priority
When you’re dealing with gum irritation and chronic gingivitis, the truth is that sometimes, what you can do on your own isn’t enough to reverse gingivitis.
You need to make sure you’re seeing a dentist regularly, both to assess the current situation and get a deeper and more complete clean.
In general, especially if you have a kind of gum disease, you should visit your dentist about once every three months. As you heal, you can reduce your visits to twice a year.
How to Reverse Gingivitis: Wrapping Up
From understanding proper brushing techniques to knowing what foods to avoid, we hope this post has helped you to learn how to reverse gingivitis.
Of course, making an appointment with a quality dentist is the best thing that you can do.
We invite you to reach out to us to schedule your cleaning and checkup, as well as to learn more about the dental services we offer.