Category / Health

How Do You Know It’s Gum Infection You Have March 22, 2011 at 12:50 pm

There are many products in the market that promotes proper oral hygiene.  Brushing alone is not enough for fight against oral cavity problems.  Flossing and using mouth rinses should be part of cleansing our mouth.  A well balanced and healthy diet could also bring forth good oral conditions.  Smoking is one of the vices that need to be avoided in order to preserve good oral hygiene.  However if it’s not entirely possible to quit smoking, be more cautious with oral practices to prevent problems arising in your oral cavity.

Gum infection is the cause of improper oral sanitation.  If proper dental hygiene is not practiced or followed, buildup of tartar and plaque in the gums and on the teeth will result.  The plaque prevents bacteria from spreading to other parts of the mouth however when concentration of bacteria is not counterbalanced there is a tendency of overgrowth and oral issues start.  If plaque is not removed from the teeth within two days, the bacteria trapped will begin eating on the teeth and the surrounding gum tissues.

But what are the symptoms of a gum infection?  When you notice your gums bleed when you brush or floss then you might be suffering from gum infection.  If swelling accompanied by pain is evident these are yet another sign of gum issues.  Most of the time, swelling is caused by pus collected in the pocket of the gums.  The combination of swelling and pus could get painful.  Another indication is a putrid smell from the oral cavity.

There is a cure to gum infection.  It is a condition that can be corrected by dentists and they will aid in keeping it from coming back.  However if you are unable to drop by your dentist’s office straight away, gargling with warm saline solution could alleviate the pain.  Equal amounts of water and hydrogen peroxide will aid in killing the bacteria that mainly caused the gum infection.  And keep up with brushing and flossing to inhibit further growth of bacteria.

Going to a dentist at the first sign of gum infection is the best solution to avert further deterioration of your oral health.  The dentist may give you antibiotics for the engorged gum tissue and painkillers for getting through the pain it is causing.  After treating the affected gum when swelling has subsided, your dentist will then advise you for a good oral hygiene regimen to maintain good oral conditions.  Regular visits to the dentist are also encouraged.