GINGIVITIS: GET SERIOUS ABOUT SORE GUMS

If you’ve noticed that your gums are a little red and sore, don’t brush it off. You might have gingivitis, the first sign of gum disease.

Most people get gingivitis at some point in their lives, and its mild symptoms make it easy to ignore. But without treatment, it can turn into bigger problems for your mouth. The good news is you can reverse or even prevent it by simply brushing your teeth, flossing, and maintaining regular dental cleanings and check-ups.

When you forget to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, a sticky film of bacteria and food called plaque builds up around your teeth. The gunk releases acids that attack your teeth’s outer shell, called enamel, and cause decay. After 72 hours, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms along the gum line and makes it hard to clean your teeth and gums completely. Eventually this buildup irritates and inflames your gums, causing gingivitis.

You can have gingivitis and not know it. Over time you may notice:

• Red, swollen, or purplish gums. Healthy gums should appear pink and firm.

• Bleeding gums. You may see blood on your toothbrush or when you spit out toothpaste.

• Sore gums that are tender to the touch.

If you think you may have gingivitis, you can take some simple steps to reverse it. Start by looking at your oral health habits to figure out where you could do better. Do you always skip brushing before bed or forget to floss? If so, put reminder notes on the bathroom mirror.

Mouthwash is a big help in treating the disease. Make sure you use one that’s labeled as antigingivitis, antibacterial, or antiseptic. If you can’t remember which kind to buy, ask a pharmacist for help.

If it’s been 6 months since you last saw the dentist, set up a cleaning to remove tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth. Ask your dentist about the proper way to brush — bearing down too hard or missing spots can lead to gingivitis. After a cleaning, your gums should get better within a week or so as long as you brush twice a day, and floss and rinse once a day.

To keep your mouth healthy, the American Dental Association says you should:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day
2. Floss every day
3. Rinse your mouth out
4. Visit your dentist every 6 months
5. Eat healthy foods
6. If you smoke, quit

Don’t wait until something gets stuck between your teeth. Daily flossing gets plaque out of places your toothbrush can’t reach. Don’t like flossing? Try interdental cleaners, picks, or small brushes that fit in between teeth. Ask your dentist how to use them so you don’t damage your gums.

Brush, floss, rinse, and repeat. Gingivitis can come back any time. So build good oral care habits, and stick with them.