Medobs-Ciheam

Gum infections are serious diseases that should be treated as soon as possible. A gum infection is when abscess due to bacterial infection forms on the gum area, resulting in red, bleeding and swollen gums and also chronic bad breath. When left untreated, this could result to other complications like tooth loss or the infection could even spread to other parts of the mouth.

There are two stages of gum infections; first is gingivitis, which is a state when the gums become red and swollen due to infection. During this stage, the symptoms are mild but the touching the gums could be painful and they bleed easily when brushing. Second is periodontitis, which is the result if gingivitis is left untreated, and is when the symptoms get worse.Gum infection usually starts when plaque is left on the teeth for long, hardens and becomes tartar or calculus then spreads the bacteria to the gums. The accumulation may also cause an unpleasant odor that doesn’t go away even when brushing.

Just what are the ways to prevent gum infections? There are various ways to do so. One is proper oral hygiene – brushing your teeth regularly and flossing will do wonders in both your dental hygiene and overall health. These will ensure that plaque is eliminated before it progresses to becoming tartar. But once tartar develops, you have the option to go see a dentist as regular brushing may not be enough to remove it. Cleanings prevent gum infections and removes hardened plaque, ensuring they do not develop into an infection.

But once a gum infection starts to show up, you can use home remedies to get rid of it. One good method is gargling warm salt water – this has a soothing effect on the gums and will prevent further bacterial growth. It is recommended to do this every after meal to ensure that the mouth is clean. Another recommended method is to use antiseptic mouthwashes to rid of gum infections. These are commonly found in your local pharmacy and should be enough to kill germs that cause infection.

Prevention would always be better than cure so it is best if we make sure that we retain a proper oral hygiene. Stop or minimize smoking tobacco as this lowers the immune system and increases the risk of getting gum diseases along with several dental problems. And lastly, make sure to visit your dentist regularly for professional advice, prescription or cleaning.