Keeping Gingivitis at Bay
Posted on: 29 November 2016
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Keeping your teeth clean and white is easy if you follow a simple and regimented oral care regime. However, if you don't maintain your teeth, then you're more susceptible to dental plaque and tartar, which can lead to more serious conditions such as gingivitis, and may require teeth whitening if it begins to affect your confidence.
Plaque
Dental plaque is caused by the build-up of over 1000 different types of bacteria on the teeth and gums. Bacteria will always grow in the mouth because of the damp, warm conditions and presence of food debris; however, it needs to be kept in check with regular brushing. It's recommended that you brush for two minutes a day, once before bed so that the bacteria doesn't have as much time to grow, and once at another time during the day. When you finish, do not rinse your mouth with water; many people do this but fail to realise that they are washing away the fluoride which is designed to continue cleaning the mouth. Mouthwash and floss are good supplements that can help to reach between the teeth where a lot of the bacteria build up, and they help to remove food debris that can speed up bacterial reproduction.
Tartar
If you fail to remove the dental plaque with regular brushing, you risk it calcifying and hardening into an unsightly yellow substance called tartar. On average, it takes about 48 hours for the plaque to begin to harden and 10 days for it to fully calcify. At this point you will need to seek the help of a dentist who will need to scrape it off, as brushing alone will not remove it. Tartar has effects part of the tooth and gums called the gingiva; this, in turn, can become red and inflamed, which can lead to bleeding gums and gingivitis.
Gingivitis
If you haven't managed to implement a good oral health regime by now, you're probably going to suffer with gingivitis. The gums will begin to turn dark red and become inflamed and, in some cases, will be sore and bleed regularly. Fortunately, this condition can be reversed by following the advice above; however, if not sorted in time, it can lead to the loss of your teeth and bad breath.
Keeping your mouth clean isn't hard and will work wonders for your general health and confidence. Make sure your toothbrush and mouthwash are in sight in the bathroom so you don't forget to brush, and try to chew sugar-free gum after lunch as saliva helps to clean the teeth.