Swollen gums or gum inflammation refers to the gum condition that is red and irritated. Acronym as gingivitis, it is the precursor of severe gum diseases called periodontitis. It can take place due to formation of sticky and soft film of bacteria and plaque on the teeth.
If you fail to remove it through flossing, brushing or professional dental cleanings then it may convert into calculus (tartar), leading to other dental issues such as inflammation or irritation. In this blog, you can get familiar with different treatment options along with preventive measures for this problem. So, stay stick to the end.
What are effective ways for prevention of gum inflammation?
Simply you need to ensure proper care of the gums in order to prevent the inflammation. Here are some things you can do for retention of gum health:
- Brush twice everyday for 2 minutes
- Brush the tongue
- Make use of gentle angles and circular motions for brushing the teeth towards gum line
- Soft-bristled tooth brush can avoid premature gum damage
- Floss daily and rinse the mouth using mouthwash for efficient cleaning
Don’t skip to visit the dentist once in every 6 months for extensive dental examination. It will help the dentist to detect early signs of swollen painful gums to treat them in the initial stages. Regular professional dental cleanings can get you rid of plaque and other debris causing inflammation and retains optimal oral health.
Specific lifestyle changes promoting healthy mouth and gums
Gum inflammation prevention is not only about oral health maintenance but also about making certain lifestyle choices. Those who make use of tobacco products and smoke, quitting them can boost oral health in the long run.
Furthermore, a well-balanced and healthy diet will mitigate the risk of gum inflammation too. Plus, it can manage specific conditions such as diabetes linking to gum disease. Even, consuming adequate amount of water everyday promotes saliva secretion that incorporates in washing away food debris and plaque-causing bacteria.
You must refrain from having acidic and sugary foods as it can put you at the risk of gum disease. Some foods that contribute to healthy gums are in the below:
- Probiotics and dairy products
- Garlic and onions
- Leafy greens and fruits
- Omega-3 fatty acid from fish
Stress can affect your gum health too and therefore it is utmost paramount to manage the level. Include relaxation techniques and exercises in your daily routine. Also consider sleep important as it boosts mental health.
What are the potential signs of gum diseases?
Luckily, one can reverse gum inflammation. However, whenever you experience any unusual symptoms or signs of gum inflammation or disease then dental visit is a must.
Such signs comprise of:
- Shifting or loose teeth
- Swelling and redness
- Prolonged bad breath or taste
- Receding gums
- Bleeding during flossing and brushing
Risk factors of gum inflammation
One of the key swollen gum causes is plaque and other attributions are also there making your gum health at stake.They are:
- Hormonal changes at the time of pregnancy, puberty etc.
- Genetics
- Medications that alleviate saliva secretion
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Tobacco use or smoking
- Poor oral hygiene
What are the stages of gum disease?
Gum disease never happens overnight and exploring every one of them let you understand the issue clearly:
- Gingivitis- Initial stage of gum disease where you experience bleeding, swollen and red gums. Fortunately, it is reversible!
- Periodontitis- When then gums pull away from the teeth leading to infected pockets. It can cause progressive bone loss surrounding the teeth.
- Advanced periodontitis- Severe gum disease stage that destroys bone and fibres surrounding the teeth causing tooth loss.
What are the available treatment options for gum disease?
Gum inflammation treatment varies according to the enormity of the infection, overall physical health condition and how the body responds to the treatment. Preventing and controlling the infection from getting worse is the main goal of the treatment.
For the issue in initial phases, dentist will recommend professional dental cleanings, flossing and brushing. In case, the problem is advanced to periodontitis then dentist suggests:
- Scaling and root planing- This deep cleaning procedure effectively remobes tartar and plaque deposition on the gum line. It also smoothens out the rough areas on the roots for better healing and prevention of future bacterial attachment.
- Antiseptics or antibiotics- Oral antibiotics, topical antiseptics or antiseptic mouthwashes are efficient to deal with bacterial inflammation and infection.
- Laser therapy- Widely used as conjunction with root planing and scaling, laser therapy reduces bacteria causing gum diseases and promotes healing.
What are the advanced treatment options for advanced gum disease?
The advanced swollen gums treatment involves surgical interventions for prevention of tissue and bone damage. Typically, the popular procedures are:
- Flap surgery- It lifts the gums temporarily for accessing deep areas and removal of trapped bacteria and tartar. Later, the gums will be sutured back into their original position.
- Grafting procedures- Soft tissue grafts and bone grafts are essential for regeneration of lost bone due to infection or reinforcement of receding gums.
- Guided tissue regeneration- It promotes the regrowth of lost bone and gum tissue because of infection.
- Tissue-stimulating proteins- Certain treatments encourage growth of gum tissue and bone using a specific protein-containing gel that naturally occurs in healthy enamel of the teeth.
Why do you need to consider seriousness of gum disease?
Gum disease and inflammation affects overall physical health. If left unattended, it can pose a threat to your health with multiple issues like:
- Respiratory illness
- Clots, heart disease and strokes
- Premature labour and low birth weight in pregnant women
- Less control in diabetic patients
Conclusion
With the above mentioned treatments and prevention methods, you can keep the risk of swollen gums at bay. For persistent problems in gums such as bleeding and inflammation; dentist consultation is what you need. Multiple clinics are there to pick from if you are in London but Emergency Dentist London Pro is the right one with years of experience and expertise in this field. Contact us for details.
Also read: Everything one should know about dental implant prices in London