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How can I prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease?
How does plaque cause gum disease?
Who is at risk for gum disease?
What should I do if I think I have gingivitis?
What is periodontal disease?
What symptoms should I be looking out
for?
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If plaque is not regularly removed from teeth it can irritate the gums, leading to gum disease. Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth is essential to help prevent gingivitis.
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How can I prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease?
By adopting a thorough oral care routine, you can help prevent gingivitis and avoid periodontal disease. Here are some useful tips:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled or power toothbrush, such as the Oral-B® Vitality® Precision Clean electric rechargeable brush. It removes up to two times more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush.
- Be sure to use an anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque toothpaste containing fluoride to strengthen teeth and prevent decay, such as Crest® Pro-Health™ Toothpaste. When you brush with Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, stannous fluoride is released in the mouth, acting as a powerful anti-microbial agent that kills harmful bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis.
- Rinse thoroughly after brushing with an anti-bacterial rinse like Crest Pro-Health Rinse. It contains a clinically proven anti-microbial agent, cetylpyridinium chloride or CPC, that's attracted to bacteria in your mouth, making it effective at fighting plaque, gingivitis and bad breath.
- Clean between your teeth daily with a floss like Crest Glide®. It promotes healthy gums by helping prevent gingivitis.
- Try using Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean along with Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste and Rinse for 7x up to better cleaning.*
* On teeth with regular use vs. a regular manual toothbrush and standard anti-cavity toothpaste.
- Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly - at least once every six months, for a cleaning and exam.
- Avoid smoking and using tobacco.
- Dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush at least every three months or earlier if the toothbrush looks worn, because research shows that a new toothbrush can remove more plaque than one that's worn out.
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How does plaque cause gum disease?
If plaque is left to build up, the bacteria produce toxins that can irritate the gums and damage teeth. The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the gums, which may cause swelling, tenderness and bleeding gums.
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Who is at risk for gum disease?
Gum disease can affect any age group, including children. However, it most often affects adults. In fact, about three out of four adults over age 35 have some form of gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, now or have had it in the past.
Your risk of getting gum disease increases if you smoke or have certain medical conditions. It is therefore vital to keep your dentist informed of your general health.
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What should I do if I think I have gingivitis?
Fortunately, with proper oral care every day and regular visits to the dentist, you can help prevent gingivitis from ever developing. While gingivitis can be reversed, it is best prevented and, in most cases quickly healed, by following a routine to remove plaque every day. This is a two-step process of brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and cleaning between teeth. Together they prevent plaque from building up on tooth surfaces and along the gumline.
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What is periodontal disease?
Left untreated, gingivitis may progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, or periodontal disease. Periodontitis damages the bone and healthy gum tissue that support the teeth. Once periodontitis develops, the damage can't be reversed: only a professional treatment program and an improved level of daily oral care at home can keep it from getting worse.
If you have periodontal disease your dentist will provide you with a tailored program for maintaining your teeth and gums, to halt the progress of the disease. Oral-B offers a range of oral hygiene products that are safe to use if you have periodontal disease, including the Oral-B range of power toothbrushes. With Oral-B power toothbrushes, you can improve your level of oral hygiene, which is a critical factor in controlling gum disease.
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What symptoms should I be looking out for?
Periodontal disease may initially occur without many visible symptoms. Therefore, regular dental exams are critical for early diagnosis.
Common symptoms of periodontal disease are red, swollen gums that have started to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets. This is often associated with bleeding when brushing or flossing.
In more advanced stages, you may experience gum recession, root decay, pus between teeth and gums, and loosening or eventual loss of teeth.
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| Early Periodontitis |
Moderate Periodontitis |
Advanced Periodontitis |
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