If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend a toothpaste with antibacterial properties. This will help reduce plaque and gingivitis, and prevent the onset of periodontitis.
Gum health toothpastes can also help with sensitivity caused by receding gums. Sensitive toothpastes often contain potassium and strontium to reduce sensitivity.
What is Gum Disease
Gum Disease is a condition that affects both adults and children. It ranges from the mildest form of gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to serious damage to the tissue and bone that support your teeth, causing tooth loss in the worst cases.
Gingivitis usually responds well to daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental visits with a dentist or dental hygienist. However, gingivitis that is not treated may progress to periodontitis. This more severe form of gum disease causes pockets to develop between your gums and your teeth, filling with plaque, tartar and bacteria.
Early treatment of periodontitis can help save your teeth. But if left untreated, it can make your heart health worse and increase the risk of other conditions such as diabetes.
It can also put strain on your immune system, reducing your body’s ability to fight infections. It is therefore important to prevent gum disease by maintaining good oral health and a balanced diet.
It is also a good idea to quit bad habits that are known to increase the risk of gum disease, such as smoking and eating sugary snacks between meals. These habits make it more difficult for your immune system to fight off infections, and can contribute to gum disease development.
Causes of Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on your teeth. If you do not remove this plaque by brushing your teeth, it can harden into tartar (calculus), which can only be removed by a professional cleaning from your dentist or dental hygienist.
If left untreated, gum disease can cause serious problems with your oral health and overall health. It can lead to gum inflammation, bad breath and tooth loss.
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and is characterized by red, swollen and bleeding gums. This mild condition is reversible with good dental hygiene, but if it is not treated, gingivitis can progress to more severe gum disease, known as periodontitis.
In this more advanced stage, bacteria collect in the gum pockets between your teeth and gums. The immune system reacts to the bacteria by releasing toxins that damage the gums, teeth and surrounding bone.
This causes the tissue to pull away from the teeth, creating spaces called periodontal pockets. Food, bacteria and plaque begin to collect in the pockets.
In more advanced cases, a procedure known as flap surgery is necessary to remove the diseased gum tissues and fully clean the root surfaces. The doctor will also place antibiotics in the pockets, to kill the infection-causing bacteria.
Home Remedies For Gum Disease
Having swollen gums that bleed after brushing and flossing may indicate gingivitis, an early stage of periodontitis (the more serious form of gum disease). Gingivitis is preventable, so it’s important to address it as soon as possible.
Thankfully, there are several home remedies that can help you get your gums back into healthy condition before you need to see a dentist. These remedies are backed by scientific research and can be combined with your normal oral care routine to achieve the best results.
Oil Pulling is a traditional method that is believed to reduce bacteria and plaque build-up in your mouth. Simply put two teaspoons of oil (such as coconut or almond oil) in your mouth and swirl it around for about thirty minutes before spitting out.
Rinsing your mouth with saltwater multiple times a day is another home remedy that can provide quick relief for swollen gums. The salt in the rinse helps to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Mixing turmeric powder with water to make a paste and brushing with it twice a day is also one of the most effective ways to treat swollen gums. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric will work to kill off the bacteria that causes your gums to swell.
Natural Ways To Help Gum Disease
There are several natural ways to help you fight gum disease, which includes eating a healthy diet and following an oral healthcare routine. You can also use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and an antibiotic called triclosan to control plaque and gingivitis.
You can also eat foods that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges, bell peppers, and kale. This nutrient will boost your immune system and combat the bacteria that cause gum disease.
Another way to prevent and treat gingivitis is to brush twice a day with an antibacterial toothpaste that contains fluoride and an antibiotic. This can be purchased over the counter or by prescription from your dentist.
In addition, you should avoid consuming foods that are high in sugar. This can contribute to plaque buildup and lead to gum disease.
Another way to keep your gums healthy is to use a mouthwash that contains sage, which helps calm inflamed gums and decreases the amount of bacteria that causes gum disease. Rinse your mouth daily with a mouthwash that contains sage, and you may notice an improvement in your gum health.
Toothpaste To Reverse Gum Disease
There are a number of toothpastes that can be used to help combat gum disease and reduce its symptoms. They contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help to soothe swollen or bleeding gums and reduce the chances of gingivitis developing into more serious forms of gum disease.
Some toothpastes also contain disclosing agents that colour the plaque, making it easier to spot and remove. This can be an effective way of ensuring that people are brushing properly at home.
This is particularly useful for those who struggle with removing plaque from hard to reach areas of the mouth. The foaming action of the formula allows it to penetrate these hard to reach spaces, neutralising the bacteria and helping to prevent further plaque build-up.
Another ingredient that can be found in some toothpastes is hyaluronic acid (HA). This has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing swelling in the gums and the inflammation caused by the bacterial infection.
Alternatively, there are toothpastes that contain stannous fluoride – a substance that has been clinically proven to reduce gingivitis and bleeding gums. These are often recommended by dentists for their effectiveness and the fact that they can also help to keep gum recession at bay, preventing tooth loss.
When to see a dentist
If you’ve got any concerns about your gums or teeth, your dentist is the professional you should see. Dentists have specialized training in oral health, and they’re trained to diagnose, treat and maintain your mouth.
If your dentist notices that you have a problem with your oral health, they’ll take the time to carefully examine your teeth and gums during your appointment. They’ll also look for signs of decay and may take X-rays, which are pictures that can show cavities and other problems that might not be visible on your own.
In addition, your dental hygienist will perform a gum check, measuring the size of your pockets around your teeth to see if you have bone loss caused by gum disease. They’ll also examine your bite, ensuring that your teeth and jaws fit together properly.
Gum disease is usually a mild condition that can be treated by regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienists for cleanings. However, if the condition is worse or complex, your dentist might refer you to a periodontist, a dental specialist who specializes in diagnosing and treating gum problems.
Conclusion
Gum disease is a common condition that affects many adults. It can lead to tooth loss and other health complications if left untreated.
There are several ways to reverse gum disease, and one of the most effective is by using a good toothpaste that will help protect your teeth. The best toothpaste will contain ingredients such as fluoride that will strengthen the enamel of your teeth and remineralize them, which will prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Another great way to reverse gingivitis is by keeping your mouth well hydrated. This will help to stimulate saliva production which is essential for washing away plaque and food particles.
The right toothpaste can also contain antimicrobials which will improve the overall health of your gums more than just mechanical cleaning alone. These chemicals will reduce the amount of bacteria that lingers on areas which are not normally physically cleaned such as your tongue and cheeks.
There are many different types of toothpaste available, so it is important to choose one that will suit your needs. You should look for a toothpaste that contains fluoride and is formulated with abrasives to remove unwanted plaque from your teeth. These are the two most important components of any good toothpaste.