Gingivitis and Oral Health
Gingivitis is inflammation limited to the gum tissue. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious gum disease that destroys the bone and can lead to tooth loss. Nearly 80 percent of adults and adolescents in the United States have some form of gum disease, including gingivitis.
Gingivitis Symptoms
Signs of gingivitis include red, spongy, shiny, or swollen gums that bleed easily, even during gentle toothbrushing. Gingivitis may only affect a small area of the mouth in the early stages. If it progresses, gum disease can affect the entire mouth, making the gums painful to the touch, and in severe cases, bleed spontaneously.
Gingivitis Causes
The main cause of gingivitis is dental plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that continually grows on the teeth and under the gums. If not removed or controlled on a daily basis, it accumulates around and between your teeth and below the gum line. Other contributors to the risk and severity of gum disease and oral health problems are smoking and diabetes.
The bacteria in plaque release toxins that irritate the gums and cause inflammation leading to infection and bad breath. If left undisturbed, plaque can harden around the teeth and under the gums to form tartar (calculus), which must be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Gingivitis Treatment and the Waterpik® Dental Water Jet Oral Irrigator
Because gingivitis and gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene, gingivitis prevention and treatment often consist of removing plaque on a daily basis.
Adding a Waterpik® dental water jet oral irrigator to your toothbrushing routine is one of the fastest and most effective ways to fight gum disease. In fact, a study by the University of Nebraska demonstrated that a manual or power toothbrush plus a Waterpik® dental water jet oral irrigator was up to 93% better in reducing gum bleeding and up to 52% better in reducing gingivitis compared to brushing and flossing.
Not all dental water jets are created equal. The Waterpik® dental water jet oral irrigator was invented by a dentist and has been clinically shown to have the best combination of pulsation and pressure to clean where brushing and flossing can't reach.
If you see signs of gingivitis or gum disease, call your dentist and make an appointment for an exam and assessment of your oral health, especially if it has been a long time since your last visit. Your dentist and dental hygienist can best determine the cause and treatment of your periodontal disease.
