Have you spotted blood in the sink when you brush your teeth? If so, chances are you have a gum disease known as Gingivitis.
Gingivitis is a bacterial infection caused by gum inflammation. If it goes untreated it becomes a more serious infection Periodontitis which can lead to some pricey dental bills and tooth loss. Ouch!
Signs you have Gingivitis
There’s a few to look out for, mainly your gums look red and sore and a little bit angry. There’ll be blood when you floss and brush. Your teeth will feel more sensitive to hot and cold, and they may even feel a bit wiggly in your mouth. And unfortunately, if your breath is stinking there’s way too much bacteria in your mouth which is a sure sign of imminent infection.
A quick fix, is a tongue cleaner, it scrapes away plaque and bacteria for day long fresh breath, and it even improves taste buds. Love!
How did you get it?
The small space in-between the gum and the tooth is called a sulcus. Food and plaque (which is actually a thin film of bacteria) can get stuck here, if left to breed, you can develop an infection as plaque builds up.
What to do about it
Prevention, prevention, prevention. You never have to have gum disease if you look after your mouth. Phew – right? Just brush and floss twice a day. Visit your dentist twice a year. And stay away from alcohol-based mouthwashes. They dehydrate your mouth and disrupt the oral microbiome making life easier for nasty bacteria to breed.
Include oil pulling into your oral care routine like Keeko oil pulling sachets. They have a unique nourishing essential oil blend and remove bacteria particularly in the tricky gum areas that brushing, and flossing can’t reach. And they don’t disrupt the microbiome leaving you minty fresh and kissable ; )
Too far gone?
If your gum disease is advanced, visit your dentist. They’ll suggest deep cleaning, some medication to kill off the bacteria, and in some cases surgery to hang onto your teeth! But don’t let it get to that, prevention is a lot easier, and cheaper, than dental treatment. Your mouth and your wallet will thank you.
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