Have you ever heard of gingivitis, a type of gum disease? This is a common periodontal disease that causes irritation on the gums. This irritation in turn weakens tissues such as periodontal ligaments and the alveolar bone supporting the teeth. It can even lead to bleeding of the gums, making them appear reddish. The main cause of gingivitis is tooth decay, generally caused by poor oral hygiene, which basically includes brushing of the teeth after every meal to remove the food particles gathered in the mouth.
To date, we have had several dental research institutions coming up with various ways to deal with this disease. Some of these treatment procedures have worked, but others have not. Below are some of the guaranteed treatments for gingivitis that will be offered by any dentist.
Gingivitis Treatment
The first step to be taken will be to reduce the swelling of the gums. The dentist will use different kinds of tools to remove the decayed food particles stuck in the teeth. This is very important, as it will give the teeth a break from the decomposition that was interfering with the normal healing of the gums.
Thereafter, you will be shown how to brush and floss your teeth, as it is of key significance in the gradual healing of your damaged gums. The brushing should be gentle to avoid causing bleeding. Continuous opening of the wounds will definitely slow down the healing process. Make sure that you carefully choose the perfect toothbrush that will be soft on your gums. Careful brushing will ensure that bacteria and food particles can’t accumulate and decay your teeth.
Apart from flossing and brushing of the teeth, professional tooth cleaning is recommended twice per year or even more regularly if gingivitis is severe.
Antibacterial mouth-rinses are also highly recommended to reduce the early stages of gingivitis. They are prescribed by dentists mostly when the gingivitis is in its early stages.
Orthodontic Procedures
If your teeth are very crooked and growing incorrectly, it could be difficult to properly clean between them, leading to inevitable tooth decay and gingivitis. This can be corrected using orthodontic appliances, which are devices used by dentists to shape the teeth when they are growing and hold them together. There are different types of orthodontic appliances. They include:
- The Bite Plate: perfect for correcting a deep bite.
- The Hawley Retainer: very necessary for holding the teeth together in their new position, allowing the underneath supporting tissues to settle.
- The Lingual Arch: This connects the molars. It’s a piece of thin wire glued to your molars and is impossible to remove.
- Palatal Expander: it is designed to gently separate the bones of the palate by widening the upper jaw. This is most effectively used by teenagers below the age of 20 years
- Spacer: These are ring-like plastic appliances that comfortably fit and provide space between your premolars.
- Nance Holding Arch: in case the baby teeth have been lost prematurely, and you want to prevent the molars from coming forward, then the Nance arch is the best space maintainer.
Be free from gingivitis by simply following the above-mentioned treatment measures. They have been shown by numerous dentists all over the world to completely eliminate this gum-infecting disease.