How To Prevent Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a form of inflammation usually caused by improper dental hygiene, especially plaque build-up. If left untreated, gingivitis can get worse and become full-on periodontal disease, a condition that can affect the overall health of your mouth, and even lead to permanent tooth loss.

But, with the right precautions, you can prevent this from happening. Check out our short blog post to discover more about gingivitis, and how to prevent it.

What Causes Gingivitis?

In most cases, gingivitis is a result of not properly caring for your teeth. Poor oral habits such as not brushing your teeth at least two times a day, and not flossing can leave unwanted food particles in your mouth and between your teeth.

These food particles increase your risk of cavities, but over time it can also lead to plaque forming on your teeth. This is an invisible and sticky film of bacteria that forms in the mouth every single day. Over time, un removed plaque becomes tartar, a hardened version of plaque that continues to attract bacteria.

Tartar cannot be removed at home. Its hard surface requires a professional dental cleaning session. If not removed, tartar starts irritating the gums, and as it continues to attract more and more bacteria, your gums can become inflamed and develop gingivitis. 

Apart from bad oral habits, other factors can increase your risk of plaque build-up and, as a result, of gingivitis:

• Poor nutrition
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Aging
• Genetics
• Certain medications or medical conditions that decrease immunity (such as cancer treatments)
• Hormonal changes, etc.
  

How to Prevent Gingivitis

To prevent gingivitis and make sure you stay on top of the health of your gums, follow these 3 tips:

• Improve Your Oral Hygiene - Brush your teeth at least two times a day, with circular motions to remove as much food debris as possible. Make sure you brush for at least 2 minutes to give your teeth a proper cleaning and use dental floss to remove additional food and plaque that can be stuck in between the teeth.
  

• Improve Your Lifestyle - Improve your nutritional choices and try to quit certain habits that put you at risk of gingivitis, such as smoking.
  

• See Your Dentist - It’s important to see your Fort Mill preventative dentist at least 2 times a year, even if you don’t notice any problems with your teeth. Even with the right hygiene routine, professional dental cleaning is the only way to truly get all the food particles and plaque from the teeth.

Worried About Your Gum Health? Stop by Luck Family Dental!

Luck Family Dental is here to make sure all your dental health needs are met, with professional services that can help you take care of your teeth, gums, mouth, and even the look of your smile!

Schedule a consultation with Leah R. Luck, DDS today.