The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene that encourages plaque to form on teeth, causing inflammation of the surrounding gum tissues.
It's best to avoid or limit acidic items. Almost all sugary items are bad news for your teeth and gums. Sugary items promote the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, worsening gum recession or causing decay. Avoid donuts, candy, energy drinks, cake, and chocolate.
Gingivitis is a mild, early form of gum disease that occurs when bacteria and plaque build up in the mouth and lead to infection. While gingivitis doesn't always cause symptoms, it can make the gums red, swollen and tender.
Professional gingivitis care includes: Professional dental cleaning. Your initial professional cleaning will include removing all traces of plaque, tartar and bacterial products — a procedure known as scaling and root planing. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and beneath your gums.
Gingivitis. In the first stage of periodontitis, called gingivitis, you may notice red, swollen gums and bad breath. Gums might also bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis, which is reversible, can be treated by improving at-home dental care and visiting your dentist regularly for treatment.
Treatment Time for Gingivitis
But for those with gingivitis due to poor oral hygiene, the average time it takes for gingivitis to go away is about 10 to 14 days after your treatment, along with proper oral healthcare. Keep in mind that there are many, many factors that can change the timeline.
Fortunately, reversing gingivitis is relatively easy. As always, the best way is to maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine. This means you should brush for two minutes twice a day, floss regularly, and avoid sugary foods.
Salt water treatment for gingivitis
The results of a 2016 study showed that using a salt water rinse can be very beneficial in healing gums inflamed by gingivitis. Salt is a natural disinfectant that helps your body to heal itself. Salt water may also: soothe inflamed gums.
Green or White Tea
Green, white, and black tea all have a lot of antioxidants, which help fight cavity-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation in your gums, but black tea will stain your teeth yellow over time.
The best treatment for gingivitis is a professional cleaning. Your dental care provider detects and removes plaque and tartar even in hard-to-reach areas. Once these substances are gone, your gums will heal on their own, and no other treatments are necessary.
Brush and Floss Often
In addition to regular professional cleanings, simply brushing and flossing well at home is another way to reverse gingivitis. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing every day to help fight gum disease and tooth decay.
The bacteria growing below the gum line (sub-gingival dental plaque) have a foul smell and contribute to bad breath if not removed. Signs that you have gum disease are bleeding on brushing or flossing, inflamed looking gums, bad breath.
Mouthwash and Gum Disease
Mouthwash will help kill the bad bacteria in your mouth, so it can certainly help you prevent gum disease before it starts. Fortunately, it can also help reverse gingivitis, so it's definitely something to have in your arsenal against gum disease.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
When performed properly, gum massage increases blood flow to your gum tissue. This increase in blood flow leads to the circulation of even more nutrient-rich blood to gum tissue to help fight gum disease and improve overall gum health.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
Your gums begin to form “pockets,” deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap food, plaque, and bacteria. Your gums will recede and form gaps between your teeth. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
Swollen gums are common, but occasionally a person may experience swelling around one specific tooth. Some reasons for this type of gum inflammation include poor dental hygiene and an abscess.
Gingivitis treatments can cause gum and tooth sensitivity, but it should subside in a couple of days. Symptoms of gingivitis should go away within two weeks of a successful gums treatment.
One study found that if you're starting from level 1 gingivitis, it takes an average of 66.8 weeks, which is a little over 15 months, to develop into periodontitis. If your gingivitis is more advanced than this, it takes less time.