After being diagnosed with gingivitis, it’s time to take action. Making the choice now to protect yourself can help prevent more serious gum disease and tooth loss.
The most common cause of gingivitis is improper oral hygiene. Below, Dr. Kissel provides guidance for gingivitis patients on ways to stop the condition from worsening, improve their comfort, and resolve aesthetic issues such as inflamed or bleeding gums.
Oral health professionals recommend that you brush your teeth at least two times a day to eliminate plaque (sticky deposits on the teeth where bacteria can grow). However, it is possible that your technique could be causing additional damage to your gums. Try the following:
Periodontal disease often occurs between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing once a day using the right technique can remove plaque from these areas. Here’s how:
Don’t worry if your gums bleed slightly or are a little sore in the first week of flossing, especially with a diagnosis of gingivitis. Over time, your gums should heal and these conditions will go away. However, do take note if your gums hurt while you floss, as you may be using too much force.
Periodontist Dr. Kissel can make several recommendations to help you resolve and prevent gingivitis. For example, he may develop a custom technique that works for you to stop the progress of early-stage gum disease.
There may be deeper areas of your mouth that you cannot reach effectively with brushing and flossing. Our practice regularly performs scaling and root planing procedures, which clean the gum pockets thoroughly. Dr. Kissel utilizes microscopic instruments in order to find and remove as much plaque as possible.
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