Prevent Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a gum disease caused by plaque that builds up on and in between your teeth. Poor oral hygiene is the primary factor that leads to plaque buildup, so brushing, flossing, and gargling are vital to preventing gingivitis. Seeing your dentist is also key to maintaining great oral health, and regular cleanings will help prevent both decay and gum diseases.

Steps

Practicing Great Oral Hygiene

1. Brush thoroughly and use proper technique. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, including last thing before going to sleep. For optimal oral health, brush a half hour to an hour after each meal to let saliva remineralize your teeth surfaces. Use circular and vertical motions, covering front and back sides of your teeth for a minimum of two minutes.
   • Make sure to get to the back, hard to reach teeth. These are especially at risk for plaque buildup since they’re primarily used for chewing food and are hard for you to reach with a toothbrush. After brushing, also use floss or an interdental toothbrush to clean the areas in between your teeth.
   • Don’t consume any food or beverages other than water after you brush before bed.
   • Make sure to brush using toothpaste that contains fluoride.
   • Always use a soft-bristled brush to reduce the risk of tooth erosion.
2. Consider upgrading to an electronic toothbrush. If it’s an affordable option, you might want to invest in an electronic brush. They can be effective at removing plaque and reaching into the spaces between your teeth. Plaque growing between teeth is the major cause of gingivitis and other gum diseases.
   • Keep in mind that having an electronic toothbrush is not always the best option. You will still need to use a manual toothbrush to stimulate your gums. If you use good technique with a manual toothbrush, then an electronic toothbrush may not even be necessary.
   • While high-end electronic toothbrushes can be expensive, you can find more affordable options at your local drugstore.
   • Whether your brush is mechanical or manual, replace it or the headpiece every three months.
3. Floss daily. Many people are pretty good about brushing their teeth, but aren’t so great about getting in between teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach. You should floss your teeth daily, preferably before brushing. Flossing before brushing helps to loosen particles of food and plaque that you can then brush away. Flossing before brushing also allows your teeth to absorb more protective fluoride from your toothpaste.
   • Wrap the ends of a strand of floss 18 to 24 inches long around your middle fingers.
   • Guide the floss with your thumbs and index fingers, gently sliding it in between each tooth.
   • Don't snap or yank the strand down to your gums in a rough or aggressive way. Rather, be delicate as you follow the contours of each tooth down to the gum line.
   • If you rarely or never floss, then keep in mind that your gums may bleed when you floss them for the first time. However, this bleeding will decrease after flossing regularly for a few days or weeks.
4. Rinse with mouthwash regularly. After flossing and brushing, gargle with an anti-microbial or anti-septic mouthwash to rinse any remaining particles and disinfect your mouth. An anti-microbial mouthwash is slightly less harsh, killing bacteria that cause plaque buildup and stopping bad breath. Anti-septic mouthwashes contain more alcohol and kill more microscopic organisms, but can leave your mouth feeling drier because of its higher alcohol content.
   • Dry mouth can actually make bad breath worse, and the higher alcohol content can cause irritation of the mucosa, which can cause a burning sensation.
   • If you're sensitive or prone to experience dry mouth or irritation, go with a mouthwash that has a lower alcohol content, or none at all.
5. Consider using an interdental brush or irrigator. Interdental brushes and picks are available at drug- or convenience stores, and are designed to reach in between teeth to loosen up plaque. A water irrigator uses a stream of water to rinse away particles that can get stuck in between teeth or hard to clean areas.
   • Both are helpful in preventing gingivitis, especially if you have sensitivity, braces, or other dental hardware that make flossing difficult. However, they can't replace a cleaning at your dentist’s office where they can remove calculus (a hard deposit of mineralized plaque) from your teeth.

Making Healthy Lifestyle and Dietary Choices

1. Limit sugary or acidic food and beverages. It’s not necessarily the amount of sugary or acidic items you consume that’s a cause for concern. Rather, you should limit the frequency, or how often you consume them. Exposing your teeth to items like sticky candies, soda, fruit juices, or alcohol weakens them for up to an hour. You’ll want to limit the number of times a day your teeth come into contact with them.
   • Eat some raw fruits, vegetables or other alkaline products to reduce the acidic environment created by sugar.
   • Limit consumption of high sugar or acidic food and drinks to meal times.
   • Wait to brush your teeth up to an hour after eating, since they’re slightly weakened after a meal.
2. Stop using tobacco products. Smoking irritates gums and encourages plaque buildup. Both of these contribute to bad oral health and gum disease exposing the gums to germs and reducing the flow of saliva. Chewing tobacco similarly increases the risk of periodontal, or gum, diseases like gingivitis. If you use tobacco, ask your doctor or dentist for resources to help you quit.
3. Maintain your overall health. There is evidence that gum diseases are somehow connected to other health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. There’s only evidence of correlation, that there’s some relationship between diseases, but nothing that proves one causes the other. Still, the correlation shows that eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, maintaining proper oral hygiene, and getting recommended amounts of sleep are all related.
   • People concerned with overall health are often more likely to take better care of their teeth and gums.

Consulting with a Dentist

1. See a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. You should see a dentist every six months to a year for best oral health. A dentist can remove plaque and tarter from parts of your teeth and gums you’re likely to miss. Since these are the main causes of gum diseases, regular dentist appointments are key to preventing gingivitis.
   • Your dentist will also polish your teeth in a professional way to help prevent bacteria and plaque from taking hold.
2. Know if you’re at a higher risk for gum diseases and tooth decay. Some people are at a higher risk for gum diseases. High risk factors include braces, dentures or partial dentures, misaligned teeth, or other oral features that give plaque a foothold or create crevices that are hard to clean. If you fall into any of these categories, you might need to see your dentist for more frequent professional cleanings.
   • Pregnant women have more sensitive gums due to hormonal changes and immune system variations and are at higher risk of developing gingivitis.
   • Using a water irrigator can be especially helpful if you have braces or other dental work that’s hard to clean using a brush or floss.
3. Review brushing and flossing techniques with your dentist. When you go to the dentist’s office, show them how you brush and floss your teeth. Your dentist or dental hygienist can give you pointers and correct any improper techniques. They can also use a special dye to make plaque visible. Once you have an idea of where and how plaque grows, you’ll be better prepared to keep it in control and prevent gum diseases.
4. Make a dentist appointment if you suspect gingivitis. When brushing and flossing, look for symptoms of gingivitis. Mild inflammation of the gums, red or swollen gums, gums that bleed easily, are all signs of gingivitis. If you notice any of these, see a dentist as soon as you can.

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