What to do to Prevent Gingivitis

The most common cause of gingivitis is due to poor oral hygiene. This encourages plaque to form which will lead to gingivitis or periodontitis. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film that is formed on the teeth when the starch and sugars present in the food interact with the bacteria normally found in the mouth. If you brush and floss each day, it removes the plaque. Plaque should be removed daily because it will reform quickly. If the plaque stays on the teeth for more than two to three days, it will harden under the gum line forming tartar or calculus. Tartar is much harder to remove because it creates a protective shield for bacteria. The longer the plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva causing it to swell and bleed. The swelling and the bleeding of the gums is called gingivitis.

There are other causes of gingivitis other than poor oral hygiene. Medication is one of these causes. Many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicine usually come with side effects of reducing the amount of saliva that naturally occurs in the mouth. Saliva helps keep the teeth clean by controlling the growth of bacteria present in the mouth. The lesser saliva you have, the greater the risk or acquiring gingivitis. Antidepressants and cold medications are known to reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth. Check the list of side effects in your medications and pay special attention to your gums if dry mouth is listed as a side effect.

Certain types of viral or fungal infections can cause gum disease. An example of this is the oral thrush which occurs when a type of fungus that is normally present in the mouth gets out of control and forms lesions that can infect the tongue and gums. Also, there is an infection caused by the herpes virus that can also cause gum disease.

Following a fad diet is another cause of gum disease. It is a diet that severely lacks calcium, Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Deficiency to these can increase the risk for gum disease. A balanced diet can really help get rid of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is primarily plaque induced that's why having a good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, is the best of the gingivitis remedies. A visit to your dentist or dental hygienist can help in treating gingivitis. Using the proper instruments, they can remove calculus deposits that cannot be removed by brushing alone. If gingivitis is left uncontrolled, it may lead to severe periodontal disease and eventually results in loss of teeth.