Who Treats Gingivitis?

Once you discover you have gingivitis or think you have it, you might wonder about the next step. Who treats the gingivitis? Do you have to go to a specialist? Will it cost more? What options will you have? How soon do you need to decide?

Surprisingly, you usually only have two options in the fight against gingivitis. You and your dentist. Largely, you have the power to prevent gingivitis from developing in your mouth more so than your dentist does. Didn’t know you had it in you, did you?

You

To prevent gingivitis, you can take several steps. The first one includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That lifestyle has a regular exercise regime, a healthy diet, plenty of water consumption and regular dental visits. Having a schedule where you brush at least twice a day and floss once a day is also very helpful when you are fighting or preventing gingivitis.

Ask yourself, “Am I doing everything I can to prevent gingivitis?” A healthy lifestyle contains a healthy diet, rich in whole grain foods, dairy products, vegetables and fruit. Sweets, junk foods and soda are only eaten in limited quantities, because of the sugar content. The sugar is what causes bacteria buildup in the mouth and the bacteria is the basis of plaque and then gingivitis. If the beginning source of gingivitis is eliminated, then it makes it that much harder for gingivitis to develop.

Water consumption also helps your teeth and gums stay healthy. The water coming in the mouth facilitates saliva production. Saliva breaks down the bacteria before it can turn in to plaque and then gingivitis. Water is a great way to keep your body and your mouth hydrated to boot, too!

Exercise also promotes saliva production in the mouth. An active body is also good for your overall health, so exercise everyday. If someone asks what you are doing, tell them you are fighting gingivitis.

Dentist

The dentist can provide guidance on your road to gingivitis prevention or treatment. One peek inside your mouth and they can see if you are brushing and flossing regularly. They will also be able to give advice on what you can do in order to keep the gingivitis away, such as brushing more often, where you need to floss better, what kind of toothpaste to try, etc. Keep your appointments every six months, brush and floss daily and keep sugar out of your diet and you can be the sole caretaker for your healthy mouth.