What are the Long Term Effects of Gingivitis?

Most adults are affected by gingivitis at some time in their lives. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s a problem you can ignore. While it is fairly easy to prevent and to treat, gingivitis left untreated can cause some severe dental problems down the road.

Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Mouth bacteria are naturally occurring, but it still needs to be removed daily in order to prevent it from forming into plaque on the teeth. This plaque is what causes gingivitis, so it must be taken care of before it forms through home oral hygiene. Regular professional cleanings are important, too, because they can remove the plaque that has already formed.

Though taking care of bacteria in the mouth is usually fairly simple with some diligence and good dental care products, the failure to take these steps can be disastrous from a dental standpoint.
The early signs of gingivitis include bad breath and gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. These signs are annoying, but not all that severe. They should be taken as a sign that you need to see the dentist for cleaning and ensure that you’re being diligent about your oral hygiene.

In more severe stages of gingivitis, those bleeding gums may begin to be sore. If you continue to ignore the gingivitis, it turns to full blown periodontal disease. In this phase, the gums begin to recede while can cause nerves to be exposed, causing tooth pain. Eventually, receding gums can cause teeth to loosen and be lost. Periodontal disease is also closely associated with heart disease.

So, it’s critical to take care of your gingivitis while it’s in the early stages, or, better yet, prevent gingivitis from ever happening.

Be sure to brush twice each day, and floss at least once a day. These habits can help remove the bacteria in the mouth before it can harden into plaque. Rinse a couple of times a day with a mouthwash that kills bacteria, too. Mouthwash gets below the gum line to kill bacteria that your floss and brush can’t reach; so it’s extremely important to use it. Combine these three daily steps with regular professional cleanings, and you should see your gingivitis disappear before it becomes a bigger problem.

When choosing your products for home oral hygiene, try some that have all natural mint in them. Mint is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent that has no additives or side effects.