How Do I Cure Gum Disease?
If you’re experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of gum disease, call your dentist. Depending on the severity of the condition, your dentist might reverse the effects with a thorough cleaning, or they may rely on a more intensive cleaning treatment known as scaling and root planing. In some cases, a dentist will use a periodontal probe to determine whether gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, possibly referring you to a periodontal expert for treatment. You can take many steps to prevent gum disease from developing, including routine visits to the dentist, regular home hygiene practices, and maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle. While ineffective oral hygiene is the foremost cause of gum disease, other risk factors can contribute to or worsen the condition. Patients who eat a diet high in sugars or starches are more prone to gum disease, and smoking or otherwise using tobacco also predisposes people to gum disease. Certain medical conditions can contribute to gingival inflammation, and properly managing the medical condition can help symptoms abate.
It’s more likely for people to prevent gum disease than it is for them to cure it, though it’s definitely possible to prevent symptoms from recurring with diligent attention to hygiene and lifestyle choices. Of key underlying importance is establishing a reliable, effective oral hygiene routine and maintaining it for a lifetime. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to detect any issues that might arise and give them a chance to guide you in the best ways to keep your teeth and gums clean between checkups and professional cleanings. Dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush that can be navigated around the back teeth; in many cases, this might mean using a powered toothbrush with a rotating head, though manual toothbrushes can also work. Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle against the gums, brush with short, gentle strokes against each tooth, paying special attention to the gum line. Multiple repeated gentle strokes are preferable to short, aggressive bursts, and they’re also less likely to damage delicate gum tissue. Dentists recommend brushing the teeth for a full two minutes, focusing on each quadrant of the mouth for an equal 30 seconds, and making sure to brush the fronts and backs of the teeth as well as the chewing surfaces and the tongue. Replace your toothbrush at least every three months to avoid harboring bacteria and ensure a thorough cleaning.
After you’ve brushed, dislodge any plaque, bacteria, or debris that might be hiding between the teeth or nestled just under the gums with dental floss or a water irrigator. While water irrigators are more gentle, dentists recommend using floss at night, allowing the gum tissue to rest while you sleep. If you use floss, you should also take care to floss each tooth with a clean section of floss, spooling it around your fingers as you go, so that bacteria isn’t simply relocated from tooth to tooth. Your dental hygienist can demonstrate a gentle, effective technique for sliding the floss between each tooth and for cleaning at the gum line without damaging the gums.
Some people supplement their oral hygiene routines with home remedies that supposedly help prevent or cure gingivitis. These remedies include oil pulling, applying aloe vera, using herbal supplements, or rinsing with baking soda or salt water. While some of these remedies are harmless, none of them have been proven to treat gum or help gum disease, and some of them could actually harm your teeth. Ultimately, the best approach to stopping the spread of gum involves you, your dentist, and your oral hygiene habits. Consider it a worthy collaboration in your prolonged health.