Gingivitis is the
silent killer that may be damaging the health of your gums. Individuals usually
don’t know they have it until they visit their dentist. The Washington Post
reported in an article in 2013 that eighty-five million Americans do not have
adequate dental insurance. This means millions of Americans who may have an
opportunity to reverse the effects of gingivitis are missing out on valuable
oral health care because they do not have financial assistance. Recognizing
that your dental health contributes to your overall health means seeing, "your
dentist regularly whether you are insured or not," suggests Dr. Denine Rice.
Gingivitis is an
initial stage of periodontal disease and can be reversed with brushing and
flossing routines. When you brush you are removing the plaque build-up that
stays on the teeth while flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth. As
plaque stays on the teeth, it turns into an acid that attacks the enamel,
however, it also can reach below the gum line and cause a “pocket” to develop.
As the bacteria gets worse, the pocket depth gets deeper and deeper until it
begins to attack the root of the tooth. Your gums will become swollen and they
may bleed when you brush or floss. This is not a sign that you should stop
brushing and flossing.
In fact, you should increase your brushing and flossing
to twice a day if you are not already doing this and you can also use a
mouthwash that has gingivitis fighting agents. While the more advanced stages
of periodontal disease are not reversible, gingivitis is. Do not give this
disease the ability to diminish the health of your mouth.
