If your gums are red, swollen and bleeding, that’s a sure sign of gingivitis. If you want to make a quick and painless recovery, you’ll have to know how to treat gingivitis mild receding gums—the bacterial infection that causes gum disease. Gingivitis, often accompanied by mild receding gums, is a common oral health issue that requires attention to prevent further complications. Understanding the causes and symptoms of gingivitis and mild gum recession is essential for effectively managing these conditions and maintaining healthy gums.
What Exactly is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis or receding gums is a serious chronic bacterial infection that can cause gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gingivitis is a gum disease that causes the gum tissue to become inflamed, leading to the loss of the gum line and surrounding teeth. Symptoms include bleeding, swelling, and a bad taste.
Periodontitis Gingivitis occurs when gums and periodontal tissue become inflamed and red, swollen, and bleed easily. It’s caused by a bacterial infection that affects the tissue covering and protecting the teeth. The bacteria that cause gingivitis usually are found in the mouth. This is often the case with people who are prone to gum disease. However, it can also occur when an underlying medical condition like diabetes, kidney, or other health problems weaken the body’s immune system.
Causes of Gum Disease
You’ve probably heard about gingivitis before, but it’s interesting to see what causes it. Gingivitis is a common dental problem that can quickly become an extremely painful and serious health condition. And since it’s more severe than regular bad breath, it’s also called “smelly breath.” The good news is that gum infection can be easily prevented if you know what causes it. Here’s what causes gingivitis:
Lack of Oral Hygiene
Gum recession can be caused by the lack of proper oral health care. It is usually noticed when there are missing spaces between teeth, especially back teeth. Dental specialists and periodontists commonly treat it.
To prevent gum recession, people must practice good oral care. It should be done every day, at least twice a day, ideally once in the morning and once at night. Most people can prevent gum disease and receding gums by practicing proper oral care and dental care.
Infection in Gums (MRSA)
The biggest cause of mild gum recession is an infection, and it’s more than just bacterial infection. It also involves plaque buildup and inflammation of the gum tissue and bone. The gums, the soft tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, can recede in cases of gingivitis. The main cause of this condition is a bacterial infection called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
When the plaque hardens, it irritates the gums and surrounding tissue. The more plaque forms, the more likely the gums will be affected. And with this type of infection, the bacteria don’t respond to antibiotics.
Nutrition (A diet high in Sugar, Fat, and Acid Reflux)
Another reason is bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria thrive in acidic environments, and the acid in your mouth is created when you eat foods with high sugar content. When you eat high in sugar foods, like sweets, pastries, soft drinks, and cakes, you allow a host of different bacteria to grow. The result is an environment where the bacteria can multiply quickly, and the growth of the bacteria creates inflammation. As the infection continues, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis are often confused, but they are two separate issues.
Tobacco (Smoking)
As with many health conditions, there’s a direct correlation between the condition and the cause of the problem. A major factor in gum disease is tobacco use. As a result, most people who smoke are likely to suffer from health issues and gum recession.
Smoking not only causes dry mouth, which causes bad breath and makes the gums recede, but it also causes tartar buildup on the teeth, which leads to inflammation. In addition, when you smoke, your airways become inflamed and irritated, leading to the loss of gum tissue. The result is the loss of the gums and bone around the teeth, which causes the gum to recede. If you’re a smoker, quit now because it causes receding gums and your overall health.
Injury in Gums or Teeth
The causes of gum recession vary depending on how much gum is already missing from a tooth. If the gums around a tooth are still attached, trauma and injury are usually the culprits. This includes injuries sustained during sports or activities such as heavy grinding and clenching of teeth and dental work that involves the removal of too much tooth structure.
In this case, the gums shrink back to originally because they don’t have anywhere to go. But if there’s already been some gingival shrinkage, then gum recession will likely continue. Another factor that contributes to gingivitis is stress , if you feel that’s the prime reason of your gingivitis then here is your guide towards its effective management:
Receding Gums Treatment Options
A common oral health condition caused by bacterial plaque buildup on teeth and inflammation of the gums and tissues around the teeth. It can be treated using a variety of approaches, but the ultimate treatment depends on the underlying cause.
General Dentist Treatment
Scaling of teeth
To get rid of gum recession, you need to scale and root planning of teeth. The purpose of scaling is to remove tartar and calculus from the tooth surfaces to reduce plaque. You must make sure that the treatment is done properly. If you don’t do the treatment properly, you may not get good results. It is typically performed at your dentist’s clinic and requires an initial appointment.
Gum Grafting
The dentist highly recommended treatment. Gum grafting involves:
- Cutting out a part of the receded area of your gums tissue.
- Attaching it to healthy tissue.
- Stitching the grafted tissue back together.
This works because it creates new gum tissue, which prevents the old gum from shrinking and pulling away.
Laser Treatment
Another treatment option is laser gum reshaping, a minimally invasive procedure. The science behind this is it uses a laser to reshape the gum tissue so that it no longer recedes. This treatment is painless and doesn’t hurt at all. Laser gum reshaping may be your best treatment option. Your dentist can perform this procedure while getting other treatments such as a crown.
Over-the-Counter Treatments:
Gum disease can be treated with over-the-counter products. These treatments are effective when used in conjunction with proper oral hygiene techniques. Over-the-counter treatments for gum receding can be just as effective as professional ones. For starters, you have your choice of over-the-counter products like toothpaste and gum treatments. You may be tempted to think that the over-the-counter treatment for gum recession is inferior to the one from a dentist, but this isn’t true. These over-the-counter products provide relief for those suffering from gum recession at a fraction of the cost. Some treatments have been shown to provide longer-lasting relief than others, which can be a big bonus if you’re looking for a long-term solution to the problem.
You can use these products:
- Toothpaste, mouth rinses, and oral sprays
- Chewing gum
- Plaque removers
- Mouthwashes with antibacterial ingredients
Treat Gum Recession by Fluoride
Fluoridation is a controversial topic in many parts of the United States, where cities have been forced to implement fluoridated water to reduce the incidence of tooth decay in children. The most common treatment is a daily fluoride mouthwash, which is generally considered safe by dental professionals.
Some people have hypersensitivity to fluoride and cannot use fluoride toothpaste at all. So, you can use a fluoride gel, such as fluoride varnish. It is light on the gums and quite favorable to people’s sensitivity to fluoride.
Home Remedies For Gingivitis Mild Receding Gums
The main treatment of gum recession is through home remedies. These home remedies are made up of certain natural remedies and chemical agents that help fight gum disease and restore gum tissue.
Drink Lemon Juice
The benefits of using lemon juice for oral hygiene are plentiful. As a natural antiseptic, lemon juice will help prevent bacteria from causing cavities, while its acidity also acts as a gentle abrasive to keep your teeth clean. Drinking a cup of lemon juice a day will also make you more confident in public and boost your self-esteem. You can use lemon juice to prevent dental plaque buildup around teeth gum inflammation, which helps stimulate the gum tissue and bad breath.
Use Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an extremely versatile plant widely used in cooking and medicine. It has strong healing power and is also used to treat many skin problems. Aloe vera is also a natural source of vitamins and minerals, making it a wonderful home remedy for oral hygiene. The plant contains several active ingredients, including enzymes and polysaccharides. These polysaccharides and enzymes help stimulate the gum tissue and prevent bacterial infection.
You should apply aloe vera gel directly to the affected area (around the tooth) at least two times per day to get the best results.
Use Honey
This ancient practice has been used for years and is proven to help reduce inflammation and bleeding. Honey is known to kill off some of the bacteria around the teeth, help restore gum tissue, and it also has the added benefit of providing a naturally sweet taste.
To use honey, mix one part of honey with three parts warm water and apply the mixture to the gums. Rinse after five to ten minutes.
A Guide to Toothbrushing
There are all sorts of reasons why we brush our teeth. Some people don’t know any better. Others might be embarrassed to have to be reminded. Whatever the reason, everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day, even if they aren’t sick or have been recent. Here are some tips from famous dentists to help you get the most out of your daily brushing:
- It is important to use a soft toothbrush. Soft bristles allow for easy access to the sensitive areas of your mouth.
- Remember to brush your tongue. Your tongue is the most sensitive part of the mouth and should be brushed as well. It would help if you also used a xylitol-free mouthwash because it’s harmful to your teeth and gums.
- It would be best to use an unscented mouthwash, as many types of mouthwash have strong scents. This will allow you to detect any lingering odors better.
- Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day (preferably after breakfast and before bed). That way, there will be enough time for the bacteria to die, and you can stop the cycle. Remember that toothpaste is your friend here. Use a water-based paste to help prevent the buildup of plaque. Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt, and let it air dry.
- Remember to brush your teeth for at least two minutes. This will help remove stubborn tooth stains and will help prevent bad breath. Try to brush your teeth in a “scrubbing motion.”
In Closing
Managing gingivitis and mild receding gums requires proactive measures to address the underlying causes and prevent progression. By practicing good oral hygiene, seeking professional dental care, and implementing effective management strategies, individuals can preserve gum health and prevent further complications associated with gingivitis and gum recession. Remember, early intervention is key to maintaining optimal oral health and preventing more severe gum problems in the future.
Further Entities
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6525324/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2147593/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7240972/
Meet Shawn Perez, the accomplished author and dental enthusiast behind the engaging content at https://gumbalm.com. With a keen passion for oral health, Shawn brings a wealth of knowledge to his readers, offering insightful tips and expert advice on achieving and maintaining a confident, healthy smile. Dive into Shawn’s articles to discover the latest trends, effective remedies, and practical insights that contribute to overall dental well-being.
