When you look in the mirror and smile, you can’t help but notice your gums look puffy and bright red these days. They bleed instantly when you brush and floss, and even chewing has become painful.
Chances are you’re part of the 50% of the American adult population with gum disease.
The great news? Gum disease is reversible. Let’s explore the early indicators of gum disease and how to get rid of gum disease in eight effective ways.
1. Brush
We’re sure you guessed this one already as you explore how to get rid of gum problems, but it is often overlooked. Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the best ways to treat gum disease. Your mission when you brush is to get rid of plaque — the sticky, soft deposit that forms on your tooth surfaces after you eat. Plaque is simple to remove since it’s extremely soft. If you don’t remove it within 24-72 hours, it will harden and become tartar, or calculus, which only a dental hygienist or dentist can remove.
Plaque is a problem because it contains inflammation-causing bacteria. These bacteria can accumulate underneath your gums and cause bleeding if you don’t brush and floss well.
Tartar is also problematic since it can damage your gum tissue, causing your gums to bleed. Bleeding, red, sore, and swollen gums are among the early indicators of gum disease.
Your gums might also start to separate from your teeth, a condition known as gum recession. This may lead to advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, which may affect your jawbone and deep gum tissue, causing your pearly whites to loosen and come out. Gum recession can cause tooth sensitivity, too — another sign of gum disease.
How to Get Rid of Gum Disease Through Brushing
Use both hands when brushing your teeth. One should hold the toothbrush, and the other should move your lip away from your teeth to make brushing easier. Brush gently for 3-5 minutes to make sure you clean all of your tooth surfaces.
The best toothbrushes for those seeking how to get rid of gum disease are those with small brush heads, as they can reach hard-to-access spots. It is also important to choose a brush with soft or medium-soft bristles. An electric toothbrush is an especially useful option since it can warn you when you’re brushing too hard. Electric toothbrushes are also less likely to damage your teeth and gums compared with manual brushes.
2. Floss
If you’re wondering how to get rid of gum disease, add flossing to your daily oral care regimen. Your toothbrush can’t clean all of your pearly whites, as its bristles can’t get fully between them. That’s where floss and interdental brushes come into play. Use floss to remove debris from tight areas, and use brushes in wide spaces.
3. Visit the Dentist
Wondering how else to get rid of gum problems? Visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning. You may need to undergo cleanings more frequently if you have periodontitis.
Your dental hygienist or dentist can discuss with you the early signs of gum disease, such as a foul odor, and show you how to get rid of your gum disease through brushing and flossing. A dentist may also recommend laser therapy for advanced gum disease, which involves using a light beam to remove infected gum tissue. It’s a less invasive approach to treating bleeding, swollen, and receding gums than traditional gum surgery, which requires the use of a scalpel and sutures.
4. Quit Smoking
If you’re a smoker wondering how to get rid of gum problems, it’s time to get rid of the cigarettes for good. Smoking is among the top factors associated with gum disease. Giving up cigarettes isn’t easy, as the nicotine in them is highly addictive. However, if you’re motivated to quit, this may quickly enhance your gum health.
5. Perform Salt Water Rinses
Still exploring how to get rid of gum disease? Consider using salt water to wash out your mouth. People have treated salt water as a gum disease cure for 2,000-plus years due to its anti-inflammatory benefits. The gum’s bacteria can’t survive in the presence of salt water.
Add one tablespoon of sea salt or table salt to a cup of lukewarm water, and stir until the salt is dissolved. Sip the water, swish it around your mouth, and gargle for half a minute before spitting the salt water out. Do this every four to six hours for rapid results.
6. Use Mouthwash
If you’re asking how to get rid of gum disease, mouthwash may be another viable solution.
You might feel like mouthwash isn’t necessary if you’re already flossing and brushing. However, mouthwash is the perfect complement to flossing and brushing, as it may remove the bacteria and food particles left after you’ve flossed and brushed. Mouthwash can reach places your toothbrush, floss, and interdental brush can’t access since it’s a liquid.
7. Choose Green Tea
Looking for a home remedy for treating gum disease? Add green tea to your diet. People in Japan and China have relied on green tea to heal wounds and cure diseases for centuries. Rinsing with green tea may help decrease periodontal disease symptoms and make your gums healthier. Drink a cup a day if you’re wondering how to get rid of gum disease.
8. Rinse with Coconut Oil
Rinsing with coconut oil daily may also kill your gum’s harmful bacteria and help you fight bad breath and tooth decay. Swish a tablespoon of oil around your mouth for around 20 minutes, spit the oil out, and brush your pearly whites each day if you’re wondering how to get rid of gum problems.
Master How to Get Rid of Gum Disease with Alondra Dental Care
At Alondra Dental Care, we stand out for our state-of-the-art equipment and top-notch oral care.
We can discuss with you the early signs of gum disease and how to get rid of gum disease through professional cleanings, good oral hygiene, and home remedies, like rinsing with coconut oil. We can also restore your teeth’s health and beauty through dental crowns, quality implants, and even dentures.
We pride ourselves on making the dental office experience as enjoyable as possible. For instance, we communicate what to expect if you’re exploring how to get rid of gum problems, offer sedation options, and even encourage patients to bring headphones and music. We’re also committed to providing our patients with a friendly and caring atmosphere. Request a dental appointment today!
