| There's a lot of gingivitis going around. Some estimates | | | | How they look: Your gums will look inflamed and |
| show that almost all adults will at one time or another | | | | swollen in the areas where gingivitis has taken hold. It |
| suffer from this gum condition. Other suggest that as | | | | may even seem as if tissue torn and may look like an |
| many as 80% of the population have at this very | | | | surface wound. |
| minute at least some symptoms of gingivitis. Whatever | | | | How they feel: Your gums will feel soft to the touch. |
| the true number, it's clear that the problem of gum | | | | They will feel mushy like instead of firm. |
| disease is a chronic problem for many people. | | | | Receding gums: This last symptom is very serious. If |
| To understand the problem we need to find the cause | | | | gingivitis is allowed to continue, your gums will start |
| of the problem. With gingivitis, it's caused by bacteria in | | | | receding away from your teeth. Gums that recede |
| your mouth that feeds on plaque. Now a build up of | | | | cause tooth loosening and loss. |
| plaque starts out soft and then hardens or calcifies on | | | | The good news is that gingivitis is treatable and can be |
| your teeth. It's that plaque material, along with | | | | prevented to a large degree. Inflammation of the gums |
| microscopic food particles and bacteria that | | | | is then caused by plaque that builds up on your teeth. |
| accumulate around the gum line causing irritation and | | | | The answer is to remove the cause of the gum |
| gingivitis. | | | | disorder and your gums will heal. The best way to |
| Gingivitis, although considered inflammation of the gum | | | | eliminate this disease is through good dental hygiene. |
| tissue, like many conditions has different levels of | | | | Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing between |
| severity. | | | | each tooth structure can keep the plaque buildup under |
| The first stages: | | | | control. |
| Gum Sensitivity. You may notice your gums may hurt | | | | In the earlier stages of gingivitis, it's possible to reverse |
| a little when eating certain foods or when brushing. | | | | the condition with good dental care and mouthwash. |
| Later Stages Common symptoms along with the first | | | | The goal is to keep your mouth clean so the gums |
| stage symptoms: | | | | can heal. Brush your teeth, floss daily, use a |
| Bleeding gums. This can be a lot or a little but it almost | | | | mouthwash and if your gums aren't to swollen and |
| always will include pain when brushing. | | | | sore, carefully brush the gums as well. This massaging |
| Substantial Pain: Your gums will hurt even when you're | | | | stimulates the gum tissue and removes bacteria and |
| not eating. | | | | any loose skin layers. |