
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
- Brush twice a day for at least 3 minutes each time (about the length of your favorite song) and floss daily. ...
- Always brush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. ...
- Use a toothbrush with soft, polished bristles, as these are less likely to irritate or injure gum tissue. ...
- Eat a healthy diet. ...
- Don't smoke. ...
How to safely and naturally prevent and eliminate gum disease?
- Don’t Smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control, smokers are twice as likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers. ...
- Eat Garlic. The allicin in garlic helps fight the bad bacteria that causes tooth decay. ...
- Check Your Gut. According to Dr. ...
- Oil Pull. ...
- Floss. ...
- Use a Good Toothpowder. ...
How do you cure gum disease naturally?
Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Treating with Home Remedies Download Article
- Reduce stress. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), there's a link between stress and your dental health.
- Make a sea salt solution. Dissolve a small amount of sea salt in a cup of warm water. ...
- Apply tea bags. ...
- Rub on some honey. ...
- Drink cranberry juice. ...
- Make a lemon paste. ...
- Eat more vitamin C-rich foods. ...
- Increase your intake of vitamin D. ...
How to treat gum disease with homemade remedies?
To use a guava leaf mouthwash:
- Crush five to six tender guava leaves with a mortar and pestle.
- Add the crushed leaves to 1 cup of boiling water.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Allow the solution to cool and add a small amount of salt.
- Swish the lukewarm mouthwash in your mouth for up to 30 seconds.
- Spit out the solution.
- Repeat two to three times per day.
How do you reverse gum disease?
This should include:
- Brushing – brush your teeth every day after each meal. ...
- Flossing – you need to remove the food particles that get stuck between your teeth after each meal as they are breeding grounds for toxic bacteria. ...
- Rinsing – the final step in your daily routine should be using a mouthwash to rinse away the left over bacteria. ...

How do you stop a gum infection from spreading?
A person who suspects that their tooth infection has spread should seek immediate medical treatment. The most effective way to prevent tooth infections is to maintain good oral hygiene. People can do this by limiting their sugar intake, brushing their teeth twice per day, and visiting the dentist regularly.
Can you pass gum disease to someone else?
The bacteria that cause gum disease can be transmitted from person to person by kissing. They also can be transmitted by things like sharing a drink, a piece of food, or even an eating utensil. Even just a single kiss can exchange more than 80 million bacteria! Of course, this includes both “good” and “bad” bacteria.
Can gum disease be prevented?
How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented? Gingivitis can be reversed and gum disease can be kept from getting worse in nearly all cases when proper plaque control is practiced. Proper plaque control consists of professional cleanings at least twice a year and daily brushing and flossing. Brush your teeth twice a day.
How fast does gum disease spread?
During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.
Can I kiss someone with periodontitis?
Can gum disease spread through kissing? Periodontal disease isn't contagious through casual contact. Sharing saliva and bacteria, such as kissing, with someone who has gum disease can increase the likelihood of transmitting it to their partner.
Can you catch gum disease from sharing a toothbrush?
Can it spread in any other ways? Sharing eating utensils, toothbrushes, or anything else that has been in someone else's mouth can expose you to their saliva. If they have an excess of bacteria in their mouth, as with gingivitis or gum disease, you may be more likely to be exposed to that bacteria.
What vitamin is good for gums?
Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening.
Will LISTERINE help gum disease?
While LISTERINE® mouthwash products can help prevent early gum disease, they are not indicated to treat periodontitis.
How long does it take to cure gum disease?
You can expect to see improvements after a few days of treatment, but it may take a while for symptoms to go away completely. In most cases, gingivitis usually clears up within 10 to 14 days. If your gingivitis is more serious, it could take longer to treat.
What toothpaste is best for periodontal disease?
Use Corsodyl Complete Protection Toothpaste, which physically removes the build of plaque bacteria along the gum line, helping to keep the seal between your gums and teeth tight. When used to brush twice daily it is 4x more effective* than a regular toothpaste at removing the main cause of bleeding gums.
Can teeth be saved with periodontal disease?
If you have advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis), treatments are available to help you save your teeth. However, time is of the essence, as tooth loss is imminent when severe gum disease is allowed to progress.
Can you stop the progression of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease damages the bone, which is not reversible. Once it starts, you will always have it. All levels of periodontitis require treatment by a dentist. A mild case can typically be managed by a general dentist using non-surgical treatments.
Is gum disease permanent?
Although it's preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 50% of Americans have the infection. It's also the leading cause of tooth loss. Don't worry, if you act quickly, gum disease can be cured without leaving a lasting mark on your smile.
What diseases can you get from sharing a toothbrush?
In other words, if you share your toothbrush, you could also be sharing blood and saliva as well. This can be a serious issue because you could be exposing yourself to blood borne viruses such as herpes and hepatitis.
Is periodontitis infectious?
Periodontal diseases are recognized as infectious processes that require bacterial presence and a host response and are further affected and modified by other local, environmental and genetic factors.
What is the best way to prevent gum disease?
Drink Tea. Black and green teas contain polypenols, antioxidant compounds that prevent plaque from adhering to your teeth, which helps reduce your chances of developing gum disease, says Christine D. Wu, PhD.
How to prevent gum disease?
Brush Right. You can help prevent gum disease by brushing twice a day and cleaning once a day between the teeth with floss or an interdental cleaner, says the American Dental Association. Block out 3 to 5 minutes two or three times a day for good oral hygiene, says Robert Schallhorn, DDS.
How to keep a toothbrush germ free?
Keep Them Germ-Free. Store your toothbrush in an upright position if possible. Don’t routinely cover or store toothbrushes in closed containers. The moist environment promotes the growth of most germs. When storing more than one brush, keep them separated to stop germ transmission from one brush to another.
How to tell if you have bleeding gums?
You can risk more serious periodontal disease and the possible loss of your teeth if you ignore sore, bleeding gums. See your dentist if you notice: 1 Gums that bleed during brushing and flossing 2 Red, swollen, or tender gums 3 Gums that have pulled away from your teeth 4 Persistent bad breath 5 Loose or separating teeth 6 A change in your bite 7 Your partial dentures fit differently 8 Pus pockets between your teeth and gums
How to strengthen your jawbone?
You can strengthen the bones all over your body by exercising regularly and not smoking. And don’t forget your calcium! Getting at least 800 milligrams of calcium a day can reduce your chances of developing severe gum disease, according to a study from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Calcium strengthens the alveolar bone in the jaw, which helps hold your teeth in place. Dairy products are the best sources of dietary calcium, but you’ll also get good amounts of the mineral from salmon, almonds, and leafy dark green vegetables such as kale and broccoli.
Where should I brush my teeth for gingivitis?
Brush At The Gumline. The plaque-catching area around the gumline is where gingivitis starts, and it is the most neglected area when we brush, says Vincent Cali, DDS. Place your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth so that half of your brush cleans your gums while the other half cleans your teeth.
What is the best way to massage your gums?
A rubber or specially designed triangular gum stimulator is better than a toothpick for massaging the gums, says Cali. It also cleans the surfaces between the teeth. Rest the rubber point between two teeth. Point the tip in the direction of the biting surface until the stimulator is at a 45-degree angle to the gumline.
How to protect teeth from food?
To protect your teeth against the damages caused by foods and beverages, you should try cutting back on the unhealthy stuff and make it a point to rinse your mouth out after each meal or snack. This will help loosen and remove a lot of the excess food particles that can get stuck between your teeth and in your gum line during the day before they have a chance to be used by the harmful bacteria.
What Is a Gum Infection?
Gum infections, also known as gum or periodontal disease, can be caused by a number of factors.
What are Some Symptoms of Gum Infection?
Whether you have a mild or severe gum infection, there are a variety of different symptoms that you may experience. Here are the most common symptoms that are associated with gum infection:
What is the procedure to clean gums and teeth?
Antibiotics: Depending on the severity of your gum infection, your dentist might either prescribe antibiotic pills or an injection. Root planing : This procedure involves performing an extremely deep clean of your gums and teeth that reaches all the way to the root.
What is the last resort for a tooth infection?
Oral surgery: Most dentists recommend oral surgery as an absolute last resort if the infection is far too advanced for other forms of treatment to be effective.
What happens if you don't clean your teeth?
Failing to properly clean your teeth leads to excess plaque and bacteria buildup.
What can I do to prevent gum disease?
Preventing the onset and progression of gum disease is important for patients throughout every stage of life. Dr. Boulard suggests the following gum disease prevention tips to help protect your health and smile in Merrimack, NH:
Can gum disease be cured?
Gum disease cannot be cured, but it can be prevented, treated, and controlled with the help of a dental professional. Dr. Boulard and his team routinely provide gum disease prevention and periodontal treatment services to help patients in Merrimack, NH and the surrounding communities enjoy healthy, happy smiles. If you have bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or other symptoms of gum disease, we encourage you to contact Something To Smile About to schedule a periodontal evaluation.
How to prevent gum disease?
Eat a healthy diet, including limited high sugars and acidic foods. Visit your dentist for regular dental cleanings and exams. Find out if your medications may aggravate gum disease. Catching the disease as early as possible is critical to prevent it from spreading and creating further destruction.
How to treat periodontal disease?
Your periodontal disease will always need management, but can go into remission with appropriate treatment and the following practices: 1 Brush at least twice a day, for two minutes 2 Floss at least once a day 3 Avoid smoking cigarettes 4 Eat a healthy diet, including limited high sugars and acidic foods 5 Visit your dentist for regular dental cleanings and exams 6 Get poorly fitted crowns or bridges fixed 7 Find out if your medications may aggravate gum disease
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a severe infection of the gum and bone tissues that surround your teeth.
Why does periodontitis spread?
The bacteria spreads below the gum line, inducing a chronic inflammatory response. As the body turns on itself, the tissues begin to separate and break down. Periodontitis is often caused by poor oral hygiene practices, though it can stem from other health issues as well.
How to get periodontal disease out of remission?
Your periodontal disease will always need management, but can go into remission with appropriate treatment and the following practices: Brush at least twice a day, for two minutes. Floss at least once a day. Avoid smoking cigarettes. Eat a healthy diet, including limited high sugars and acidic foods.
Why is it important to catch periodontal disease early?
Catching the disease as early as possible is critical to prevent it from spreading and creating further destruction. Regular periodontal exams can proactively detect the disease, even if you have no symptoms.
How to contact a periodontist in San Francisco?
Request an Appointment. Or you can contact us using one of these other means: Call us: 415-781-7147. Email us: [email protected].
How to reverse gum disease?
The last, most invasive way to reverse gum disease is to have surgery. During this type of surgery the gums are cut and moved back so the tooth is exposed. This allows the dentist to fully remove the bacteria and damage. After the cleaning is completed, the dentist will then stitch the gums back around the teeth.
What is the best treatment for gum receding?
Laser Periodontal Therapy. Once there begins to be significant receding of the gums and obvious infection that isn't going away, a dentist may recommend laser periodontal therapy. This is a relatively new treatment option that allows for very in-depth cleaning of the roots and under the gums.
Why is it important to clean your teeth?
These professional cleanings are important because a regular brushing won't remove tartar from the teeth. 3. Early Diagnosis. When you are seeing your dentist regularly, they will be able to give you an early diagnosis.
What is the best way to reverse periodontal disease?
4. Scaling and Planing. One of the biggest steps that patients have to take in reversing periodontal disease is through processes called scaling and planing. These are both done by the dentist and are done to remove the plaque and tartar that has gone below the gum line.
Why do dentists perform dental procedures after numbed?
The procedures are performed after the patient has been numbed because the dentist will be going much more in-depth . At this stage it's crucial to get these procedures done to stop the infection before teeth are too far damaged. 5.
What happens during a dental checkup?
During these regular dental checkups, you will also get a thorough cleaning. During these cleanings the plaque and tartar will be removed from the teeth, which is crucial for reversing gum disease.
How many people have periodontitis?
More than 64 million Americans have some form of periodontitis. That's about half of all adults. This very common disease affects the gums and root structures of the teeth. Bacteria spread through these structures and can cause major problems like the loss of the teeth. There are various stages and types of gum disease but all are bad ...
What causes gum disease?
Poor oral hygiene and the spread of bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene causes gum disease. If you are constantly exposed to the bacteria, your immune system may struggle to ward off the disease.
How to contact Englewood Dental?
At Englewood Dental, we’re always happy to help. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, call us at 201-871-3556 or click here to connect online!
Is gum disease contagious?
To invalidate the rumors, gum disease is not contagious. You can not acquire the disease by sharing a drink or food with someone who unknowingly has gum disease. However, long-term sharing of saliva through the sharing of food and drink or even kissing without proper hygiene could increase your risk of periodontal disease.
