Dont brush too hard. Do you clean your teeth with a heavy hand? You might be taking off more than just plaque. Side-to-side brushing right at the gum line can make your enamel go away faster. You should use a soft-bristled brush and work at a 45-degree angle to your gum to keep enamel clean and strong.
Unclench your teeth. Over time, teeth grinding wears away your enamel. Sometimes, addressing your stress can stop the problem. If that doesnt work, your dentist can fit you for a splint or a mouth guard.
Take a break from bleaching. The quest for pearly whites may cause your pain. Thankfully, sensitivity from bleaching is usually temporary. Talk to your dentist about how the treatment might be affecting you, and whether you should continue it.
Naturally shrinking gums. If youre over 40, it could be that your gums are showing signs of wear and tear by pulling away from your teeth and uncovering your tooth roots. Those roots dont have enamel to protect them, so theyre much more sensitive than the rest of your tooth.
Tell your dentist if your gums look like theyre receding. It can be a sign of other problems, like gum disease. Serious cases may need a gum graft. That moves tissue from somewhere else to cover the bare area.
Gum disease. Plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth can make your gums pull back. Sometimes, disease can set in. It can destroy the bony support of your tooth. Dont smoke. It can lead to gum disease. To treat it, your dentist may do a deep clean of your teeth, called planing or scaling, that scrapes tartar and plaque below the gum line. You could also need medication or surgery to fix the problem.
A cracked tooth or filling: When you break a tooth, the crack can go all the way down to your root. Youll notice pain when your tooth is cold. How your dentist fixes the crack depends on how deep it goes. If its a small crack that ends before your gums start, your dentist can fill it. If its below your gum line, your tooth will have to be pulled.
Its also important not to shy away from dental care because of tooth pain. Ignoring your teeth can make things worse. Brush and floss twice a day to help keep your smile bright and pain-free. And see your dentist for a checkup twice a year.
Without proper brushing of the mouth and gums twice a day, and flossing at least once a day, plaque builds up and clings on teeth. Plaque is a sticky combination of mucus, food debris and bacteria. When plaque isnt cleaned away, it hardens into a deposit called tartar (formally called calculus). As plaque and then tartar build up on teeth, the gums become irritated and sore. In addition to poor hygiene, other sources of possible mouth and gum irritation include misaligned teeth, poorly fitted and improperly cleaned mouth appliances (dentures, braces, bridges or crowns), or rough filling edges.
While sometimes gingivitis can be almost symptomless, the key clue is usually swollen, sore, or tender gums. The gum tissue may be so swollen it is shiny in appearance and it can be red or even purple in color. It may be tender to the touch but otherwise painless. Gums can bleed even with gentle brushing and flossing will be especially irritating. Bad breath will often occur and mouth sores are sometimes present as well.
A trip to the dentist and a simple visual exam can confirm if gingivitis is present. The dentist and dental hygienist will probably also see plaque and tartar build-up at the base of the teeth, near the gum line. While no further testing beyond a visual confirmation is really necessary, they may take x-rays and dental bone measurements to be sure that the damage hasnt begun to spread further.
The obvious solution is to reduce inflammation by cleaning the teeth and removing the plaque and tartar. If the accumulation is extensive or extends below the gum line, the usual cleaning will not be effective and a more thorough dental procedure is necessary. This is a root scaling and planing called a debridement.
If misaligned teeth or improperly fitted dental appliances are the key culprits or contributing factors in creating the gingivitis, the dentist will pinpoint the problem(s) and make the necessary corrections. Any other health issues will need to be addressed and corrected if the patient is to make a full recovery and not have a recurrence. Of course, the need for more frequent thorough brushing and flossing will also be addressed and encouraged.
Typically, an individuals teeth are professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist at their regular check-ups every six months. But to successfully prevent the recurrence of gingivitis, more frequent professional teeth cleaning be needed. The dentist may also recommend antibacterial mouth rinses, anti-plaque or antibacterial toothpastes or other over the counter or prescribed aids (like antibiotic medication).
If these measures do not prevent the recurrence or spread of gingivitis, periodontitis may result and the dentist will likely refer the patient to a periodontist. Its necessary to remain vigilant and practice good dental hygiene every day to keep healthy gums pink and firm.