Gum disease is one of the most prevalent diseases of humankind. Data shows that more than 42% of young adults above thirty have some form of gum disease, and gingivitis is one of the milder forms of reversible gum disease. 

The portion of gum around the base of teeth is called gingiva. In gingivitis, you would experience redness and itchiness in the gingiva, and your gums would appear swollen or inflamed. You must identify and treat gingivitis in its early stages; otherwise, it will lead to more severe periodontal disease and, eventually, tooth loss.

Let us discover more about gingivitis, what causes it, and what measures to take to prevent and reverse this disease quickly.

What is Gingivitis & Its Symptoms?

If you observe healthy gums, they would appear pinkish and are snugly fitted around the teeth. When you have gingivitis, you are likely to experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Gums are red or swollen, and they bleed easily.
• The gum’s color has changed to dark or dusky red.
• Your breath has a foul odor.
• The gums have receded, exposing more teeth.
• Gums appear tender to touch.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Poor oral hygiene is the cause of gum disease, including gingivitis. If you do not brush your teeth twice daily or floss regularly, plaque starts building up in your mouth. It, in turn, leads to inflamed gums. Some of the other factors that can cause gingivitis are:

• Plaque forming on teeth – Plaque is a sticky film that is not easily visible and contains mostly bacteria. It can form on your teeth when bacteria normally occurring in your teeth interacts with sugars and starch in your food. Since plaque can re-form very quickly, it needs to be removed daily.
• Plaque turning into tartar – If plaque is not removed correctly daily, it becomes hard into tartar (calculus) under the gumline. This place collects bacteria and creates a protective shield for them. Tartar is harder to remove and irritates the gum line. You can get rid of tartar only through professional cleaning.
• Inflammation in gingiva – Over time, the tartar and plaque in your gums start irritating it, causing it to swell and turn red. Your gums then start bleeding, which may also result in dental caries or tooth decay. If there is no professional intervention, even at this stage, it could lead to periodontitis and eventual loss of teeth.

How to Cure Gingivitis Immediately?

There is no quick fix to a healthy gum, and you have a narrow window of opportunity to reverse gum disease and stop it from progressing into more severe periodontitis. The steps outlined below would help you form healthy oral habits which could prevent gum diseases and reverse them in their early stages.

• Brushing teeth twice a day – You must brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes at least twice daily. Do not brush too hard as that will wear down your enamel (hard protective layer on our teeth.) Brushing teeth, especially before going to bed, is extremely vital. Otherwise, you are allowing the bacteria and food in your mouth to interact and attack your teeth and gum while you sleep.
• Flossing teeth once a day – The area between your teeth is the favorite place for bacteria to hide since toothbrushes can not get between your teeth. Flossing around every tooth ensures plaque is removed between your teeth, and there is no chance of cavities developing there.
• Rinsing the mouth with fluoride rinse – Oral health issues related to plaque buildup go hand-in-hand, such as cavities and gingivitis. Fluoride aids in strengthening the tooth enamel and makes them more resistant to acid attacks from plaque. Choose a mouth rinse labeled as antiseptic, antibacterial, or antigingivitis.
• Avoiding sugary beverages and foods – Bacteria in our mouths love to eat sugar; hence your effort to reverse gingivitis must begin by limiting sugary foods and beverages. Remember that sugary foods and drinks include sports drinks, pops, energy drinks, dried fruits, popsicles, and caramel.
• Meeting your dentist regularly – If you have tartar buildup on your teeth, only a dentist can remove it. Dentists use a tool known as a scaler which scrapes away tartar and plaque. Hence, it is strongly recommended that you keep up your scheduled appointment with your dentist without skipping or missing them. As a rule of thumb, you should meet your dentist every six months for teeth cleaning and oral examination to detect and treat any issues early on.

If gum disease is detected early, it can be reversed. To preserve your teeth, you must keep a check on your gum health by meeting your dentist regularly and following the oral health regime as recommended by them.