Gingivitis

In this post we will be discussing some ways that dentists test for gingivitis. Gingivitis is very easy to get when you have braces because it is harder to clean as thoroughly. Some symptoms of gingivitis are bad breath, gum decay and receding gums. You especially want to avoid these conditions when you have braces since another symptom is loose teeth. (see http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gingivitis-periodontal-disease)


When you go to the dentist there is a specific test that they will do to see whether or not your gums are swollen. Your dentist will insert a small tool in between your gum and teeth that has measurements 1,2,3 and 4 in millimeters (4 being swollen). They will test each tooth on both sides and call out the numbers. Also during this they will also make a note of whether or not your gums bleed during this. You want to have no bleeding and 1,2 or 3 mm gum lines. If you have a couple of 4’s but not all then you don’t have severe gingivitis but you need to take steps to reverse it. If you have a lot of 4’s you have gingivitis and will need to undertake treatment.

Here are some ways to reverse gingivitis if it is not very severe (as recommended by my, Amanda, dentist):
1. Brush your tongue thoroughly as a lot of plaque lives there.
2. Brush in a circular motion especially on your gums. This might be painful at first since your gums are probably swollen but after a while they will become healthy.
3. Use a mouthwash morning and night.
4. Floss twice a day (because face it most of us only floss once a day).


We hope that these will help those of you with braces to take these steps because they are also preventive of gingivitis. And with braces the last thing you want is gingivitis to ruin your straightening smile!

-Amanda and Erik