Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums which has as its main symptoms the swelling and redness of the gums, as well as bleeding and pain when chewing or brushing teeth, for example.
This problem is caused in most cases by poor oral hygiene but can also be caused by hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy.
To avoid gingivitis or that it worsens and even causes tooth loss, there are 7 essential tips:
1. Brush your teeth properly
This is probably the most important tip as it is the most effective way to prevent the buildup of bacteria that cause lesions in the gums. Sometimes it is possible to have gingivitis even by doing the daily brushing of the teeth and this means that the brushing is not being done correctly. Here's how to brush your teeth.
Oral hygiene is usually recommended 2 to 3 times a day, especially when you wake up and lie down, but some people may also prefer to do between meals.
2. Use an electric brush
Whenever possible it is recommended to use an electric toothbrush for hygiene of the mouth, rather than the common hand brush.
This is because electric brushes make rotary movements that allow them to reach more difficult spaces more easily, eliminating up to 90% of bacteria, as opposed to 48% of manual brushes.
3. Floss daily
Using the floss after brushing is another way to ensure that the tartar and food remains between the teeth are completely eliminated, avoiding the accumulation of bacteria that lead to the onset of gingivitis.
While flossing is painstaking and time consuming, it does not need to be done every time you brush your teeth, and it is recommended to thread the wire only once a day. So, a good tip is to choose the time of day when you have more time available, such as before bed, for example.
4. Have a toothbrush or toothpaste in the bag
This tip is very important for anyone who has not had time to brush their teeth before leaving the house or likes to brush their teeth between meals as it allows to wash their teeth in some bathroom, such as at work, for example.
Another option is to keep a toothbrush and toothpaste at work or in the car so it is available whenever there is time to do oral hygiene. However, it is worth remembering that more than 3 brushings per day can damage the enamel of the teeth.
5. Eat foods with vitamin C
Vitamin C, present in foods like orange, strawberry, acerola or broccoli, is one of the most important food components for maintaining a healthy mouth. This vitamin is a potent antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system by helping to fight the bacteria that develop in the mouth.
Check out a more complete list of foods with vitamin C.
6. Abandon the vices
Some addictions such as regular intake of alcoholic beverages, cigarette smoking or excessive consumption of processed or sugared foods, for example, are factors that contribute to the development of diseases of the mouth. In this way, they should be avoided or at least decreased throughout the day.
7. Do professional cleaning every 6 months
Although tooth brushing at home is one of the simplest ways to keep your mouth clean and free of bacteria, it is a technique that can not completely eliminate all plaque.
Therefore, every 6 months or at least 1 time a year, it is advised to go to the dentist and do a professional cleaning, which allows to eliminate all tartar and bacteria that will resist in the mouth.
