In the quest to keep teeth clean, you might be tempted to
brush your teeth as vigorously as you can. Gums are made of delicate tissue, though,
so brushing the wrong way could damage them.
What causes gum disease?
When gingivitis is not treated, it can result in periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that causes gums to pull away from your teeth and form infected areas. Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and can eventually lead to tooth loss and other health problems.
Periodontitis can also destroy the bone that supports your tooth and cause you to lose your affected teeth. Unfortunately, its effects span beyond just the mouth – periodontitis can also increase your risk of experiencing other health problems, such as a heart attack or a stroke.
Signs of gum disease and periodontitis include swollen gums, bad breath, loose teeth, pus between teeth and gums, receding gum line, red gums, or gums that are tender or bleed when touched (healthy gums are pink and firm).
Choose toothbrushes with soft nylon bristles that have blunted
ends ‘rather than those with medium or hard bristles, as harder bristles may
cause damage to your tooth enamel and inflame your gums.
When you brush, make sure you use gentle, circular motions
to massage and clean the teeth and gums. While many people use a back-and-forth
motion, this motion can actually irritate and damage your gums, making them
sore and more likely to bleed or recede.
We all know the importance of flossing every day to help
remove plaque from places where your toothbrush cannot reach, but be gentle
when you floss. Rather than forcing the floss between your teeth, carefully
slide it up and down, following the curve of each tooth.
Be sure to seek medical attention if you have the following
symptoms, even if you are not experiencing any discomfort:
- Changes in the way teeth fit together, or in the fit of partial dentures;
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums;
- Gums that bleed during and after brushing;
- Loose or shifting teeth;
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth;
- Receding gums;
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
Natural Treatments for Gum Problems
Tea Tree Oil
Myrrh
Acacia
Boil half a handful of tender leaves in 2 cups of water. Use
the water as a gargle to take care of gum disease.
Walnut
Make a decoction of the bark of the root for bleeding gums.
Aloe Vera
Mango tree
Wash the mouth several times a day with a decoction of the
young leaves to treat gum inflammation.
Avocado
Make an infusion of the fresh leaves to strengthen the gums.
Sage
Rub fresh sage leaves on the gums to strengthen them. This
also whitens the teeth.
Galanga
Make an infusion of the rhizome or rootstock and use as a
gargle frequently as a treatment for gum infections.
Sea Salt
Banyan Tree
For gum problems and pyorrhea, chew the crushed prop roots,
hold them in the mouth for a while and then rinse with lukewarm water.