Gum inflammation, which is characterized by red, sore, and bleeding gums, isn’t just unpleasant to experience—it could also be a sign of early-stage gum disease. Gum disease is a serious issue that, if left untreated, could progress into widespread tooth decay and tooth loss. So what can you do about your inflamed gums now to prevent future discomfort or problems?
- Understand What Causes Inflamed Gums
- Prevent Inflamed Gums with a Great Oral Care Routine
- Treat Your Gum Disease at Laulani Dental Care
Brushing your teeth should include some form of gum care, since plaque, bacteria, and food particles can get trapped under the gum line over the course of the day. If you don’t floss under the gum line, you can develop an infection that causes inflamed gums. Inflamed gums are indicative of gingivitis, or early stage gum disease.
In addition to poor oral hygiene, gingivitis can be caused by smoking, diabetes, pregnancy, and medications such as steroids and oral contraceptives.
Consistently brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss at least once a day, and monitor your oral health carefully. You will want to incorporate mouthwash into your at-home routine as well. Look for a formula specially designed to improve the health of your gums. If you experience bleeding and sore gums, bad breath, or notice your gums receding, it’s time to pay a visit to your dentist to rule out gum disease.
Prevention is always better than cure, especially in the case of gum disease, so see Dr. Kim every 6 months even if you aren’t experiencing any problems with your teeth or gums. It’s the best way to ensure that you’re not developing any oral health issues early on.
If you do have inflamed gums or any other symptom of gum disease, there’s no need to suffer any longer. You may just need a deep cleaning under the gum line or antibiotics to curb bacteria growth. However, if Dr. Kim suspects that you have more advanced gum disease, including decay, you will need a personalized plan to get to the root cause of your gum disease and eliminate it successfully.
We offer special gum disease treatment here at Laulani Dental Care, including deep cleaning and Arestin® antibiotic treatments to restore your healthy gums. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
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