5 Tips to Manage Gingivitis At Home

Gingivitis is the earliest and mildest form of gum disease, and it’s also the only reversible stage of gum disease. If you spot the signs of gingivitis — red or tender gums that bleed easily  —  take action before your gingivitis spirals into a more advanced form of gum disease.

Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro and the team offer gum disease treatment here at the Dental Center of Hercules, but you don’t need to wait for your symptoms to get worse before you reach out for help. Don’t hesitate to visit our Hercules, California, office if you have gingivitis. 

In the meantime, take a moment and see what you can do at home to manage gingivitis. 

1. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle

Brushing your teeth (for a full two minutes!) is your best defense against gingivitis. Brushing your teeth removes the bacteria and plaque that contribute to gum disease. You can take your tooth-brushing routine to the next level by holding your brush at a 45-degree angle. This helps your toothbrush clean against your gum lines more effectively. 

Use gentle but firm pressure and move your brush in small circles. Don’t scrub your gums too vigorously.

2. Don’t skip flossing

Flossing and brushing can help reduce gingivitis better than brushing alone. Unfortunately, not everyone flosses daily.

Researchers found that about 31.6% of people floss every day, while 31.9% don’t floss at all. The remaining 40% falls somewhere between one and six days of flossing per week. Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from between your teeth. 

If you’re not flossing daily, it’s time to start. You can use traditional floss, pre-threaded flossers, or other flossing tools to help you clean between your teeth and along your gum line.

3. Use mouthwash

If you don’t routinely use mouthwash, consider using one that’s specifically targeted to help manage gingivitis and support gum health. An antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria and reduce plaque buildup — both of which contribute to gingivitis. 

Look for a mouthwash that contains ingredients like chlorhexidine, aloe vera, or tea tree oil. Rinse with the mouthwash according to the product instructions after brushing and flossing for optimal results.

4. Give your diet a makeover

What you eat can significantly impact your oral health. A diet rich in sugary and starchy foods can fuel the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth and increase your risk of gingivitis and cavities. 

Instead, focus on consuming a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Vitamin C, in particular, is good for gum health. A vitamin C deficiency can lead to swollen, bleeding gums. Beyond the typical citrus fruits, you can find vitamin C in many foods, including tomatoes, berries (especially amla berries), peppers, parsley, and guavas. 

5. Quit smoking

Smoking is not only harmful to your overall health but also significantly increases your risk of developing oral cancer and gingivitis. The chemicals in tobacco products can damage your gum tissue, which, in turn, impairs its ability to fight off infection and inflammation. 

If you smoke, consider quitting for the sake of your oral health and your overall health. Quitting smoking lowers your risk of 12 different types of cancer (including oral cancer), increases your life expectancy, and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Get help for gum disease

Even with these at-home strategies for managing gum disease, it’s important to stay connected with Dr. Teodoro and The Dental Center of Hercules team. 

During your routine exam, our team can detect early signs of gum disease, including gingivitis, and provide timely treatment to prevent further progression.  Dr. Teodoro can also measure your periodontal pockets (the gaps between your gums and teeth). The depth of your pocket can help shape your treatment plan.

In-office treatment for gingivitis includes professional plaque and tartar removal and, in some cases, prescription mouthwash. For people with deeper periodontal pockets or more advanced gum disease, additional treatments such as scaling and root planing (a deep cleaning procedure to remove bacteria and smooth the tooth roots) and antibiotics may be necessary to effectively manage the condition and prevent further progression.

Think you’re dealing with gingivitis? Don’t wait until your next cleaning. Give us a call at 510-254-3328 to learn what you can do to stop the progression from gingivitis to more advanced gum disease.

 You can also book your appointment through our online booking system.