Improving Your Dental Care

Why Do You Have Gingivitis If Your Oral Hygiene Habits Are Good?

Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition and a precursor to more serious gum diseases. It can be frustrating to learn that you have gingivitis or may require deeper dental cleanings if you brush and floss every day. However, there are some factors that could be affecting your oral health despite yoru best efforts. Here are a few points to consider.

Is Your Brushing Helping or Hindering?

Believe it or not, too much brushing can be detrimental to both your teeth and gums. When people brush their teeth too hard, it can cause gum tissue to push back and recede. Receding gum tissue can develop pockets of bacteria, which in turn can cause gingivitis. If you know you brush too hard, adjusting this habit can help. Lastly, switch to soft-bristled toothbrushes if you are using hard-bristled ones.

Do You Smoke or Consume a Lot of Soda?

Certain lifestyle habits can affect your gum health even if you brush and floss. Smoking, for instance, can make you prone to gingivitis because this habit stresses the immune system and makes it harder for the body to fight infections.

While you may already know that high-sugar diets, like those with lots of soda, are bad for your teeth, they are also not great for your gums. According to one study, the consumption of carbonated beverages was associated with the risk of periodontal disease.

If you can curb some of these lifestyle choices, you may improve your gum health.

What Are the Side Effects of Your Current Medications?

Do you take a medication to manage a health condition? Some drugs, like seizure medications, immunosuppressants, and blood pressure medications, can cause gingival overgrowth. This build up of gum tissue can cause swelling and make you more prone to gingivitis. Talk with your doctor about possible alternative medications to avoid this side effect.

Do You Have Undiagnosed Bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition where a person grinds his or her teeth. Some people grind their teeth if they suffer from anxiety or stress, but it can also manifest in people with sleep disorders—like sleep apnea. If you grind your teeth during the day, you can try to stop; however, a lot of people with bruxism grind their teeth while they sleep so they may not even realize they have it.

Ask your dentist to check for bruxism. He or she can identify bruxism by the wear on tooth cusps; some patients even have tiny fractures on their enamel from grinding their teeth too hard.

Contact a dentist in your area today for more information on how to treat gingivitis.


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