Once I’ve Had a Gum Infection, Am I Prone to Have Them Again?

Gum infections are no fun. They can be painful and annoying, and can take some time to heal. If you’ve recently suffered with one, you’re no doubt wondering if you’re likely to have another.

The gum infection itself does not make you more prone to another infection. But, if the problems that caused the first infection are not rectified, you are likely to have another.

You see, most gum infections are the result of periodontal disease. When bacteria in the mouth are not removed regularly, they turn to plaque on the teeth. This plaque leads to gingivitis. When gingivitis is not treated, it advances to periodontal disease, which causes the gums to recede.

When gums recede, it is easy for food and debris to get caught in the pockets around the gum line. This trapped food or debris is usually the source of the infection. Curing the infection will not cure the receding gums, so there is a chance that you could get another infection. Receding gums can be repaired with oral surgery.

A good oral hygiene routine can help with your problems too. While good oral hygiene won’t move those gums that have receded, it can prevent them from receding even further. And, if you have a good oral hygiene routine, you’re less likely to get food and debris stuck in the pockets around the gums.

So, brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. Rinse a few times a day with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This is an especially important step because it gets below the gum line, where your brush and floss cannot reach, to kill bacteria and rinse away debris. Using an all natural mouthwash, such as one made from oil of mint is a good choice.

Be sure to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, too. While you can remove bacteria at home before it hardens into plaque, only the dentist can remove the plaque once it has hardened.

Periodontal disease is no laughing matter. Those receding gums can cause nerves to be exposed, which is quite painful. It can also cause teeth to become loose and even fall out.

So, even if you’ve already suffered a gum infection due to receding gums, a good oral hygiene routine can be a big help. You can stop the progress of your periodontal disease, and prevent further damage – and further gum infections, too.