Gum inflammation is a common and alarming dental condition which, unfortunately, affects a large number of people in the United Kingdom. The dental terminology of this condition is gingivitis and it shows certain typical symptoms like reddishness, swelling and irritation in the gum area. Why is it alarming? This condition is often the precursor of a more severe condition related to the gums called periodontitis.
What causes gingivitis or inflammation of the gums? This alarming condition is caused by plaques. In singular form, a plaque is a soft and sticky film of harmful bacteria and it keeps forming on the teeth on its own. This harmful film must be removed thoroughly and that is why dentists emphasise on proper brushing and flossing of the teeth. Inflammation of the gums occurs when these plaque build-ups are not properly removed from the teeth and the mouth over al period of time. It is relevant to mention in this context that professional cleaning of the teeth also helps a great extent in clearing away plaques and maintain dental hygiene. Plaque build-ups deposited on the teeth over a period of time turns into a harder substance called calculus or tartar. Dentists with years of experience in swollen gums treatment in London explain, this tartar build-up causes irritation and inflammation in the gums.
Is it possible to prevent inflammation of the gums?
Yes it is possible and even easy to prevent inflammation of the gums provided you are consistent and dedicated on your mission. The most effective way by which you can prevent gum inflammation is taking good care of your gums consistently. Here are a few tips to make the task even easier.
- Brush your teeth twice a day, spending just 2 minutes each time — that’s 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth.
- Tilt the toothbrush bristles toward the gum line.
- Use gentle pressure and move the brush in small, circular motions.
- Brush all three surfaces of each tooth: the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue as part of your routine.
- Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid hard-bristled ones, which can damage your gums and enamel.
- Along with brushing you must floss the teeth once daily
In addition to the tips mentioned above you should also visit your dentist every six months for routine checkups. These routine visits are helpful picking up early signs of gum inflammation. Early treatment proves largely helpful reversing the condition. A dental professional with years of experience in handling patients suffering from swollen painful gums suggests professional cleaning of the teeth also proves helpful keeping gum inflammation away.
So you should better ask your dentist whether the expert recommends you to get your teeth professionally cleaned from time to time.
Lifestyle changes are vital to secure healthy gums
Gum inflammation is not just linked your oral health and rather it is a matter of your lifestyle choices. If you are habitual smoker or user of any other tobacco products, it is high time to quit those habits for sake of your oral health. In order to prevent inflammation of the gums, it is important to manage diabetes. Diabetes or blood sugar is strongly linked to gum disease. In fact, a healthy and all-round diet helps preventing gum inflammation to a large extent. Moreover it also helps managing diabetes at the same time.
Keep drinking lots of water throughout the day and make sure your mouth remains hydrated. A dry mouth often indicates chances of blood sugar as well as gum inflammation. Drinking sufficient quantity of water also enhances saliva production. Both saliva and water wash away food debris and harmful disease-causing bacteria from your mouth.
It is important to limit consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks. These kinds of foods and drinks always raise your risk of developing gum disease. Foods that promote strong and healthy gums, keeping inflammations away include the following –
- Fresh crunchy fruits like apples, guavas, pineapple
- Leafy, greenie vegetables like lettuce, carrot
- Raw onion and garlic
- Any kind of dairy product promotes your teeth and hum health
- Omega – 3 fatty acids which come from certain fishes
Even stress takes a toll on your gum health in course of time, explain dentists in London with years of experience in providing treatment to gum inflammation cases. So it is important to manage your stress to keep gum disease at bay. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and indulge in daily exercises and mental relaxation techniques. You should also manage to get sufficient quantity of sleep every day.
Gum disease – signs and symptoms
Typical symptoms of gum inflammation include the following –
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing the teeth
- Redness and swelling
- Consistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth for no apparent reason
- Loosing or shifting teeth
- Receding gums
One good thing about gum inflammation is it is reversible. If you ever come across any of the symptoms above, you must visit your dentist without any delay.
Risk factors involved in gum inflammation
The primary cause for inflammation in the gums is plaque build-ups although there are several other factors that also raise the risk. Some of these factors are as following –
- Chronic blood sugar or diabetes
- Habitual consumption of tobacco in any form or the other
- Poor oral hygiene
- Heart disease or cardiac disorders
- Certain medications that affect the natural secretion of saliva in the mouth
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Genetics
In addition to the factors mentioned above, hormonal changes that take place during puberty and pregnancy in women also increase the risk to a large extent.
Gum disease – different stages
According to dentists, there can be various causes behind swollen gums, but the condition of gum disease never occurs overnight. Rather, it develops in stages, and if you can catch the problem early, the easier is the cure. Typical stages of the condition include gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. For expert advice and treatment, consult Emergency Dentist London Pro.
Read also: #5 top factors to emphasise upon while choosing your emergency dentist