Health
Help Stop Gingivitis Before It Starts
By
Feb 4, 2009, 22:14

It's important to learn these oral health care tips so you can prevent gingivitis.


(NC)-Did you know that 7 out of 10 Canadians will experience gingivitis at least once in their lives, and many will not even know it? Gingivitis may not be a pleasant topic, but it's an important one; especially since it may lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated.

Gingivitis creeps up slowly, often painlessly, with early symptoms like redness or inflammation in the gums or even gums that bleed when you brush. The culprit behind the gingival germs - plaque. Plaque is a clear, sticky substance that builds up on teeth and along the gumline and needs to be removed every day with proper brushing and flossing before it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional. Bacteria in plaque and tartar can then lead to an infection of soft gum tissue.

If you think you have gingivitis, the good news is that it is entirely preventable and can even be reversed if caught early enough. The easiest way to treat gingivitis is to stop it before it starts. Experts recommend following a dedicated daily oral care regimen to help prevent plaque build-up in the first place: brush teeth twice a day for the dentist-recommended two minutes with a gingivitis-fighting toothpaste, floss daily to remove plaque between the teeth and along the gumline and use an antiseptic mouth rinse to help kill bacteria. It's really that simple. Along with regular dentist check-ups and a dedicated at-home oral care routine, Toronto dentist Dr. Maryam Adibfar offers these tips to optimize oral health:

1. Check your gums regularly. Look for the warning signs of gingivitis and report them to your dentist right away.

2. Eat healthy foods for your oral health as well as your overall health. Eating excess sugar is one of the primary causes of dental problems. With the proper nutrients that come from healthy eating and proper oral hygiene, you can fight cavities and gingivitis.

3. Use a power toothbrush such as the Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean. It's clinically proven to reduce up to 7 x more plaque when used together with Crest Pro-Health Rinse and Crest Pro-Health toothpaste, compared to using a regular manual toothbrush and regular anti-cavity toothpaste.

4. Don't smoke. Smoking is a major contributor to dental problems and may cause oral cancer.

For more gingivitis-fighting tips, check with your provincial dental association or visit www.crestcanada.com.

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