Gingivitis Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Will my gums get better after treatment for gingivitis?
   I recently found out I have gingivitis. I would like to know how long it would take after proper treatment at home to get my gums better.

   • ANSWER:
     Most cases of gingivitis will resolve in a couple of weeks after treatment and with good continued home care, consisting of proper brushing and flossing. Good luck.

2. QUESTION:
   gingivitis treatment * dentists?
   i’ve recently started my own treatment for some minor gingivitis that i noticed above my front tooth. however now all of my gums are red and kinda sore. i’ve been practicing great flossing which i was doing wrong before, now imake sure it goes under the gum line. when should my gums calm down? and is this normal?

   • ANSWER:
     If things have not gotten back to a normal state of health in 2 weeks, you may have a more advanced case of gingivitis. if so, you will need to see the dentist or hygienist for some professional treatment. good luck.

3. QUESTION:
   What is the treatment for dentalcaries & gingivitis?

   • ANSWER:
     Caries (“cavities”) are restored by excavation and placing compsite usually, sometimes amalgam. You know when you get a cavity filled? thats the treatment.

     Gingivitis is a little more complicated.

     Actually, “gingivitis” (literally gingiva-swollen) is puffy gums and actually a symptom not a diagnosis, even though insurance companies allow it as a diagnosis. It is caused by periodontal disease of some type.

     Since it is such a broad term there are different treatments based on the cause.

     Like if you just have some swelling then flossing with good technique and more often will sometimes be enough to “fix” it. But if you have lots of plaque, then you will need to go to the dentist and have root scaling/planing to remove it from your roots. If it’s really bad you could be in for periodontal surgery, but you would probably know if your “gingivitis” is that bad.

4. QUESTION:
   Old cat has Gingivitis. Mum can’t afford to pay for treatment. What can i do?
   She is quite old but I don’t want her to be in pain. However if dental treatment is expensive we can’ afford to have her put under anesthetic, and being quite old she already responds hossibllt to anesthetic.

   What are some ways I can help my cat?

   • ANSWER:
     Firstly,brush her teeth regularly. There are some animal charities which may be able to help you,Cats Protection,/Shelter ;etc;look on the net or `phone directory. Never give your cat any medication meant for humans,it can be fatal to cats. you could try going to a few vets and explain your position to them,if they can`t actually help you I`m sure they will be able to put you in touch with an animal charity that can. I`m sure you will be able to find some way to help her.

5. QUESTION:
   Treatment for Gingivitis?
   I have Gingivitis, in my front gum. It hurt and is really annoying. I always want to press it with my toungue so i won’t feel it.
   I already went to Dentist for Cleaning.But it’s still there….
   I’ve already start to gargle with warm water with salt…

   Do you know any effective treatment for it? How long before you will see the changes?

   • ANSWER:

6. QUESTION:
   What natural treatment / diet can I use to cure gingivitis?

   • ANSWER:
     Definitely keep flossing and make sure you always brush after every meal or snack. Your gums will bleed; however, you need to “train” your gums for this. Keep getting those cleanings. Gingivitis CAN be reversed over time with good treatment!!

7. QUESTION:
   What is the treatment for gingivitis?

   • ANSWER:
     flouride enhanced toothpaste

8. QUESTION:
   what is effective treatment of gingivitis?

   • ANSWER:
     Brushing your teeth…or a fluoride rinse.

9. QUESTION:
   treatment of acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis?
   please tell me the latest drugs full treatment of drugs and other assosiated treatment like scaling, which mouth wash …..please tell in details

   • ANSWER:
     prescription mouth rinse and antibiotics. deep cleaning and perhaps some laser surgery. treatable in most cases but get things done asap.

10. QUESTION:
    I’m 13 and have gingivitis, i’m starting to get treatment for it…?
    Is there any way it can lead to other gum diseases.

    • ANSWER:
      yes it can lead to more serious conditions..but as long as you follow your dentists advice your gums will heal.

      I think parents should keep a close eye on their kids dental health, because they’re not going to do it themselves..

11. QUESTION:
    is tetracycline mouth wash 250mg/3 times daily for one month safe for pregnancy in treatment of gingivitis?

    • ANSWER:
      The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a system to rate drugs in terms of their safety during pregnancy. This system rates both over-the-counter (OTC) drugs you can buy in a drug or discount store, and drugs your health care provider prescribes. But most medicines have not been studied in pregnant women to see if they cause damage to the growing fetus. Always talk with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

      The FDA system ranks drugs as:

      Category A – drugs that have been tested for safety during pregnancy and have been found to be safe. This includes drugs such as folic acid, vitamin B6, and thyroid medicine in moderation, or in prescribed doses.

      Category B – drugs that have been used a lot during pregnancy and do not appear to cause major birth defects or other problems. This includes drugs such as some antibiotics, acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspartame (artificial sweetener), famotidine (Pepcid), prednisone (cortisone), insulin (for diabetes), and ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin) before the third trimester. Pregnant women should not take ibuprofen during the last three months of pregnancy.

      Category C – drugs that are more likely to cause problems for the mother or fetus. Also includes drugs for which safety studies have not been finished. The majority of these drugs do not have safety studies in progress. These drugs often come with a warning that they should be used only if the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks. This is something a woman would need to carefully discuss with her doctor. These drugs include prochlorperzaine (Compazine), Sudafed, fluconazole (Diflucan), and ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Some antidepressants are also included in this group.

      Category D – drugs that have clear health risks for the fetus and include alcohol, lithium (used to treat manic depression), phenytoin (Dilantin), and most chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy drugs are given during pregnancy.

      Category X – drugs that have been shown to cause birth defects and should never be taken during pregnancy. This includes drugs to treat skin conditions like cystic acne (Accutane) and psoriasis (Tegison or Soriatane); a sedative (thalidomide); and a drug to prevent miscarriage used up until 1971 in the U.S. and 1983 in Europe (diethylstilbestrol or DES).

      Aspirin and other drugs containing salicylate are not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the last three months. In rare cases, a woman’s health care provider may want her to use these type of drugs under close watch. Acetylsalicylate, a common ingredient in many OTC painkillers, may make a pregnancy last longer and may cause severe bleeding before and after delivery.

      Read the label of your package first, if it is not clear go to your dr or pharmacist or ask your OBGN. If there is uncertainty rather stay away from it, it is a mouthwash, you can have safer alternatives (ask your Dentist). The actual absorbtion of tetracycline is not known via a mouthwash, personally I would stay away from it.

12. QUESTION:
    How much does treatment of potentially advanced feline gingivitis cost?
    I just recently realized my cat’s bad breath and some tooth discoloration. After some research, I’m concerned that he might have an intermediate/advanced case of Gingivitis, but hopefully not Periodontal disease. I will be going by my local Humane Society to find out what options exist locally for individuals with low income, but I figured I would go ahead and see if anyone had a general idea as to how much it might run for treatment. Thanks.
    Nope, his gums are not red. I did a lot of reading up on it last night and from what I can tell, the discoloration is most likely plaque.

    • ANSWER:

13. QUESTION:
    What are some treatments of gingivitis?
    What do dentists recommend or treat their patients with?
    What are some home remedies?

    • ANSWER:
      To know the proper treatment for gingivitis, what causes gingivitis should be known first. There are a lot of factors that causes gingivitis. But commonly, gingivitis is due to plaque collected around the neck of your teeth, making your gum irritated. This can be treated by prophylaxis and regular tooth brushing. There are many other factors that causes gingivitis, such as pregnancy, puberty stage, medically compromised health, etc. Consult your dentist to see and to diagnose your case properly. For home remedies, try gargling with a mouthwash or any oral rinse that has Chlorhexidine for it has been proven to be effective in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontal diseases, of course with the proper dental procedures done as well. Good luck!

14. QUESTION:
    Gingivitis: What’s the best treatment?
    I have a medium case, no bleeding on its own, but after the dentis prodded it it started bleeding and now still really hurts 1 day later.

    I bought Cordosyl toothpaste which is salty so hopefully that will help with any infection. What else should I be doing? Does it make sense to use Cordosyl mouth wash at lunch times at work, as I am not supposed to use it together with toothpaste? My dentist says it washes away the benefits of the toothpaste.

    What else am I meant to do? Massage the gums? Floss?

    • ANSWER:
      Use Corsodyl gel. Apply it neat with your finger end to the affected area several times a day..

15. QUESTION:
    treatment for pregnancy gingivitis?!!PLZ HELP ME!!!? ?

    m in my 32nd week of pregnancy n my left corner, lower gum is bleeding like hell….i went to a dentist ,she even cleaned up my teeth n said thats its kind of normal in the last trimester n the bleeding would continue for a couple of weeks….its been two weeks i have been to the dentist n still i bleed so much…m so worried about because m loosing so much blood that way n also i read somewhere that bleeding gums can be one of the reasons of preterm labour….:-((((

    plz tell me what should i do, any over the counter meds that i can take….n i have been regulalrly flossing n brushing n keeping my teeth clean but somehow the bleeding doesnt seem to stop….plz help me out … give some ideas that can help me stop the bleeding!

    • ANSWER:
      You are already doing everything you can do.

      I am a dental hygienist, and I teach my pregnant patients about pregnancy gingivitis. Keep up the flossing, every day, brush your teeth and massage your gums with your toothbrush. Don’t brush/floss too hard, you could do more damage.

      Yes, gingivitis can cause low birth weight, pre term babies. However, that is mostly from people who aren’t treating it at all.

      You are doing everything right. Your gingivitis will clear up immediately after giving birth to a happy healthy baby.

      Good luck hun.

16. QUESTION:
    What is the difference between Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis?
    About 5 or 6 months ago, I went to the dentist because my gums had started bleeding. As I brush my teeth twice a day and always at least rinse with water, I was just told to brush my gums more, or floss or use mouthwash. The symptoms went away, but now the bleeding is back (mainly when I floss) and 2 days ago I noticed my gum in between my two front teeth had swelled and was slightly red. Since yesterday, I have noticed another area of gum swelling and thin redness around about 3 or 4 more teeth. I don’t understand as it has all happened so quick. I am worried. If it is only Gingivitis then what stage does it sound like? Also, my dentist appointment is 5 days away. I have went to get Corsodyl mouthwash to try and last me until then and have just started my first treatment. I can make an emergency appointment, but I don’t know how necessary and appropriate it would be as I don’t really know how bad it is…any advice?

    • ANSWER:
      Approximately 90 per cent of the adult people are affected by gingivitis. Most of these people remain oblivious about the silent development of gingivitis as it is initially painless. By and by, gingivitis can cause serious health implications. There can be swollen gums and bleeding while eating or brushing. If left unattended, gingivitis can even lead to indigestion and other tummy problems. Gingivitis can aggravate to periodontitis or pyorrhea. This is an extreme infectious situation when the teeth supporting bone starts eroding. Blisters can also appear. Pyorrhea signs are bad breath, painful gums and bleeding. The primary reasons of pyorrhea are excessive alcohol, smoking, poor mouth hygiene, poor nutrition, improper brushing, glandular disorders, chronic illness, and blood ailments. Smokers are more prone to develop pyorrhea and lose teeth than others. Note that bleeding gums can also be caused by brushing too hard or by using too hard a toothbrush.

17. QUESTION:
    cure for gingivitis also how long it last?
    I have gingivitis, and it is really bothering me?
    I’ve been washing with peroxide twice daily, and just want to know treatment forms, and how long it will last?

    • ANSWER:

18. QUESTION:
    Have you had gum recession from debridement treatment?
    I am having debridement done to treat my gingivitis through a periodontist. He says there’ll be some gum recession/shrinkage in the area’s where he will do the treatment. I’m freaking out.

    Has anyone had this done and was the recession obvious? I don’t want to look ‘long in the tooth’!

    • ANSWER:
      The recession has actually already happened, but your gums are swollen from the infection. Shrinkage is a better term…as your gums heal they will lose the puffyness they have now and return to a healthy state. This beats the alternative of bone loss eventually leading to tooth loss.

      It can be obvious based on the amount of swelling you have…but showing a little root is better than having no teeth.

19. QUESTION:
    dental help from gingivitis?
    I have sensitive teeth
    my teeth are not perfect [not straight but ok]
    need invisalign or braces
    I’m tired of this problem its bothering my life that I get suicide thoughts for it
    I’ve been smoking a lot of ciggarettes for about 2 years straight
    smoking herb
    and the worse of it the methamphetamines for 3 months straight.
    I’ve been through the emergency, I escaped death. I have medical bills.
    I’ve gotten arrested for having a pookie (pipe) my boyfriend blamed it on me.
    I dissapointed my parents.
    supposably I smoked the meth wrong that the meth made my gums very very sensitive, inflammed, and jelly, my gums are becoming less around each tooth that is causing loose teeth.

    Ewww my saliva is sticky and clear and I always get paranoid from my mouth…

    How can I know if its safe to trust a dentist to clean my mouth very well if I have a feeling my teeth are loose if I put pressure I’m afraid I can loose my teeth from them fucking with my mouth!!!

    What do they do exactly from gingivitis treatment?
    Is it possible to numb my mouth while this treatment?
    How much is the dentist treatment? [I have no insurrance]
    Are the going to pull out teeth and put them back?
    idk I’m very paranoid its devistating!!! Is a lot of pain I can even bite a damn sandwich!

    PLEASE HELP me on my questions I’m very curious to know before I go to the Dentist I would really really appreciate for your time is saving me and GOOD BLESS

    • ANSWER:

20. QUESTION:
    High bleeding from gums due to Gingivitis?
    I am 51 years old suffering from Gingivitis and I also have diabetes controlled by tablets, Now due to Gingivitis my gums are bleeding a lot. The bleeding is too much. As I have diabetes I could not go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned so my bleeding is not stopping. I am really worried about the bleeding, Could any one suggest me what should be done? what is the treatment?

    • ANSWER:

21. QUESTION:
    Should wisdom teeth be removed during a bout of gingivitis?
    I have a minor bout with ginigivitis and I am scheduled to have my wisdom teeth removed this Friday. The dental assistant said I was good to go for the surgery.

    I have had gingivitis for the past several months and went through four treatments including a debridement. I’ve used prescription mouthwash but recently ran out of it (my gums started to get a little red after that but I bought some regular mouthwash today).

    I’ve brushed and flossed and mouthwashed religiously twice a day almost all the time. My gums look a little better (a lot better than several months ago). Should I go ahead with the surgery or should I call the surgeon and talk to him about it first? I specifically requested this time off from work and I don’t want to have to cancel the appointment and re-schedule again.

    I am going to drop off my prescriptions for Vicodin, a mouth rinse, and amoxicillin this week.
    By the way, the dentist said that they should be removed ASAP since they were causing me some pain.

    • ANSWER:
      I would not be concerned unless there was an infection going on. Go ahead with it and express any possible concerns when you go in.

22. QUESTION:
    I have gingivitis. However,My teeth are crooked. Is there any hope of me getting braces at this point?
    I have gingivitis. My teeth are crooked at the top. The tooth decay is on the bottom of my mouth and has been controlled because I am undergoing treatment. However, I desperately want braces. Under what conditions will this be a viable option?

    • ANSWER:
      The braces will make it even harder for you to maintain good oral hygiene, which will make the gingivitis even worse.

      The next time you go to your dentist to continue your treatment, you should ask him how to properly maintain your oral hygiene to prevent gingivitis. Once you can demonstrate that you can keep the plaque off your teeth and maintain healthy gums, you should be able to get braces.

      Hope this helps.

23. QUESTION:
    Dentist said I have a gum infection and close to gingivitis-told me to floss more.Help?
    Dentist did not give any other suggestions on what I can do about the infection in my gums etc. Is there an over the counter rinse I can use or any other treatment option I can do myself to help along with the flossing and brushing?

    • ANSWER:
      The gum tissue surrounding the teeth is called the gingiva. Gingivitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the gingiva characterized by tender, swollen, and bleeding gum tissue. This condition occrrs in 85% of the population.

      Gingivitis can be prevented through regular oral hygiene that includes daily brushing and flossing. Rigorous plaque control programmes along with periodontal scaling and curettage also have proved to be helpful.

      A dentist or dental hygienist will perform a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums; following this, persistent oral hygiene is necessary. The removal of plaque is usually not painful, and the inflammation of the gums should be gone between one and two weeks. A gargling of brine water also helps. Oral hygiene including proper brushing and flossing is required to prevent the recurrence of gingivitis. Anti-bacterial rinses or mouthwash, in particular chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% solution, may reduce the swelling and local mouth gels which are usually antiseptic and anaesthetic can also help.

24. QUESTION:
    How do you treat gingivitis?
    what do you do?
    my gums are a little swollen and red, nothing severe, but i remember once they told me i was prone to gingivitis, and i think i’m seeing it.

    what’s the treatment? listerine? how often? what else should i use?

    and how long will it take to clear up?
    i have a dentist appointment in a month, i cant schedule one any earlier

    • ANSWER:
      Take a soft bristled tooth brush and start brushing and massaging the teeth. At first they will bleed but after a while you should notice no blood on the brush. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation and healthy gums never bleed. You can do this without using any toothpaste on the brush. The gums will look a lot better when you see your dentist for a cleaning. Good luck.

25. QUESTION:
    Home treatments to rid of gingivitis!?
    Ok so i have a gum desease called gingivitis. Whenever i try to brush around it i bleed uncontrollably and my gumm area is really swollen. I dont have a dental care plan so i need home remedies to get rid of it. Any help from people who’ve experienced it will help.

    • ANSWER:
      Goldenseal is an herbal remedy that is supposed to be good for a lot of gum problems – haven’t had gingivitis, but I’ve had it work for canker sores. You can find it online or at a health food store probably?

26. QUESTION:
    Alternative pain relief to injections during dental work?
    Does anyone know of anywhere (I’ll pay if I have to) where I can get an alternative such as gas to dental injections? I have a serious needle phobia and am completely unable to let anyone inject in my mouth. Up to now I have been lucky and have no fillings (i’m 26) but have had to have treatment for gingivitis without injection which is agony. The dentist originally refused to do it and couldn’t believe I went through with it, but frankly I’d take a whole load of pain to invoid an injection. My concern is that if I need root canal work or deeper gingivitis treatment I won’t be able to cope… Will anyone give me gas in the UK?

    • ANSWER:
      you should ask your dentist about sedation rather than gas. You aren’t knocked out you are still conscious but really relaxed and it also causes amnesia so you wont remember getting the treatment afterwards. You’ll still need to have injections either way and root treatment would be extremely painfull without them as you are removing the nerve from the tooth. Personally I would rather get the injections as they aren’t that bad, you could ask your dentist to put on a anaesthetic gel before the injections and you hardly feel them.

27. QUESTION:
    Question about Gingivitis?
    Does the treatment for gingivitis hurt? If so like how painful is it?

    And what is the process of the treatment, do they cut the gums?

    Because, I think I have it. My gums aren’t sore and don’t hurt but when I brush my teeth, if I hit it a bit too hard, it bleeds and there are white parts in the part between the tooth and the gum and I can’t get it out.

    Help please =3

    • ANSWER:
      If it is just gingivitis, the treatment would be a prophylaxis and that would be relatively painless. I would have this treated promptly before it becomes more. Good Luck

28. QUESTION:
    has anybody had or know about gingivitis?
    i think i may have gingivitis. i am seeing my dentist tomorrow n im scared.

    i just wanna know how does the dentist treat this? is it a painful treatment?
    wil i lose my teeth??? and how long does it take for this swelling to go down!

    • ANSWER:
      Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria that adhere to the teeth and gums, causing irritation and swelling http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gingivitis/DS00363. This sounds painful, but many people with mild gingivitis don’t even know they have it.

      Gingivitis is very common, but if it isn’t addressed it can become periodontal disease http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/periodontitis/DS00369, which causes tooth loss and put you at a risk for cardiac disease.

      Fortunately your gums are one of the fastest-healing areas of your body. Simple brushing, flossing, and (if your dentist recommends) using special mouthwashes daily will usually resolve gingivitis within a matter of a few weeks.

29. QUESTION:
    Pregnancy Gingivitis?
    I am 6mons pregnant and I have pregnancy gingivitis. What is the treatment? Is it true that it can cause pre-mature birth?

    • ANSWER:
      Pregnancy gingivitis should not cause preterm birth, though if you had a consistant issue with gingivitis or periodontist prior to getting pregnant there are some studies showing a link to preterm birth as a result. The gingivitis will typically resolve once the baby has been born, though sometimes the hormones involved with breastfeeding will cause some inflammation. If you haven’t had a recent dental cleaning and exam recently now would be a good idea, esp. since you will be busy with the baby soon enough. It will also remove any hardened buildup (tartar, also called calculus) that may be irritating your gums and can’t be removed by you. If you have had a recent cleaning make sure you are brushing and flossing faithfully and perhaps using a mouthrinse like Crest Pro Health. I love Listerine but the Crest has no alcohol. Hope that helps,
      JAMRDH – a dental hygienist

30. QUESTION:
    Advanced Gingivitis: Does OraMD work?
    I have advanced gingivitis and have seen a specialist. He is going to do some treatment soon to treat the ‘pockets’ in area’s of my mouth.

    I have researched natural remedies online and have found this product OraMD http://www.oramd.com/

    Has anyone used this and if so does it work? Any advice or help appreciated

    • ANSWER:
      gingivitis (inflammation of the gingiva) caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates in the small gaps between the gum and the teeth which known as dental pocket and by calculus (tartar) that forms on the teeth. in advanced phase, gingivitis can cause loss in tooth supporting tissue which then may lead to formation of deep pocket. one way to treat this problem is by remove or clean the tooth surface and gum from plaque and calculus which accumulate in the pocket. it cannot be done by just taking a medicine or some kine of mouth rinse products. brushing and flossing is the key to removed the plaque before it turn to calculus (harden plaque), and you need professional (dentist) treatment to removed calculus especially that inside the pocket. scaling and root debridement are one of the treatment for gingivitis.

31. QUESTION:
    So I need to know if gingivitis and or periodontal treatments hurt?
    So for any one who has had or has gingivitis or periodontal disease… I have either the beginning stage of the gingivitis or it has gone into periodontal issues. I have done a turn of research on it and I have an appointment for Monday I am super nervous and scared about it.

    For those that have had it or has it could you please tell me when they used the tool to measure the pockets to see how severe it is does it hurt? and when they do the scaling or any of the treatments how bad it hurt? I have only had one cavity filled in my lifetime and that was painful for me, so how does this compare?

    • ANSWER:
      The periodontal probing, to measure the pocket depth, will not hurt if done properly. If you have gingivitis, the treatment will not be as complex and will not hurt. If you have a more advanced problem leading to periodontitis, the treatment will require deep scaling and root planning. Sometimes if it is uncomfortable, a local anesthetic will be used to keep you comfortable. Good luck.

32. QUESTION:
    at home treatments for gingivitis?
    are thare any good remidies for this??

    • ANSWER:
      there is none. gingivitis is a chronic disease that wears down your gums. it usually causes teeth to fall out prematurely. you need to go to your dentist to see what can be done. start taking better care of your gums because just brushing your teeth does not get the gingivitis causing bacteria that becomes tissue destroying. if it looks like your gums are receding you need to go to the dentists immediately.

33. QUESTION:
    Cat has Minor gingivitis is a cleaning enough?
    I spent thousands last year getting my cat’s teeth cleaned and had some pulled out because they were never cleaned before.

    I learned my lesson and now it’s been 1 year and I wanted to get a checkup for her. The vet said he has minor ginvigitus and it will cost 0 minimum to get treatment.

    Now, I really cannot afford it and I found a pet store that cleans cats teet for 0.. half the price.

    Is it really worth it to bring the cat to the vet or would a nice teeth cleaning be ample?

    Thanks!
    I think there is an extra fee if you get it cleaned at the vet.. or maybe they’re going to do more than just clean the teeth? I doubt the cashieer at the pet store does the cleaning.. I’m sure they have a specialist.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi Blue,
      having been in the veterinary field for almost 30 years, having teeth cleaned safely and effectively seems costly. At the practice I formerly worked at the cost was usually between 0 – 0 depending on how many teeth needed to be pulled and how difficult the pulling of the tooth or teeth are. Proper oral care helps prevent many diseases in animals such as heart, liver and kidney disease. Bacteria lives in the tartar on the teeth and can be released into the animals bloodstream causing the above health problems. The best thing to do is to have them cleaned and then use an oral rinse for cats daily to prevent further gum and tooth disease. It is recommended to actually brush your pets teeth daily with a pet tooth brush and paste.
      Best wishes,
      Pam
      www.protectthepets.com

34. QUESTION:
    Feline Gingivitis Steatosis?
    Im wondering if anybody has a cat that has Gingivitis Steatosis and what they have/are doing to get through it. My cat is currently on steroid injections and oral meds to try to help her bleeding gums but her condition is not improving so the vet recommends a special teeth cleaning (0) and then to start removing some teeth (00′s). If anyone has done this has it really helped or have you tried other options? Is there a less costing alternative treatment?

    • ANSWER:
      I would highly recommend that you consider putting your cat on a raw diet, particularly something like rabbit. Stomatitis is an autoimmune illness that can be aggravated by allergic reactions to grains (normal in cats) and to proteins. Rabbit is pretty hypoallergenic for cats. In addition, chewing the raw meat helps scrub the teeth. Stomatitis can also have a viral component, which it may be helpful to put your cat on l-lysine, an amino acid that prevents some viruses from replicating. Any time your cat has a chronic ailment, you are probably best off to take him to a veterinary school for treatment. At least get a second opinion. They should have the most updated methods for dealing with diseases, although often they know nothing about nutrition. Good luck!

35. QUESTION:
    How Do I Get My 15 yr old to Floss?
    I want my daughter to floss – she brushes but doesn’t take care of her gums. She is showing signs of gingivitis and both the dentist and myself nag at her about flossing. We’ve shown her pictures of the results of no flossing, but nothing seems to get through. I’ve explained that dental treatment is very expensive and in a few years when she’s too old to be on my insurance plan she’ll regret it. She’ll be very, very poor or very, very toothless.

    Her teeth are a bit crooked and could use braces, but the dentist won’t put them on her until her gums clear up and she flosses on a regular basis. I’m at my wits end.

    Suggestions?

    • ANSWER:

      http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/black-hairy-tongue/HQ00325

      Will this picture help? If not, treat it as a chore. If you child does not listen to you or clean her room what provisons are taken away? No TV? No cell phone? Use the same method. I have seen many parents spending thousands of dollars on their children, pleas do not let that be you. Take the upper hand and do not let her control you.

36. QUESTION:
    A few questions about gingivitis and people who have been treated?
    Despite brushing and flossing regularly and using Listerine for years, I still got it. My mother use to work as a dental assistant briefly (years ago) and said gingivitis was fairly common but “no big deal.”

    1) How old were you when you were treated for gingivitis (I’m 24)
    2) What was the treatment method used?
    3) Did they prescribe anything like mouthwash or a special toothpaste?
    4) How long did it take for the gingivitis to stop inflaming your gums?
    5) Is it recurring? Are your gums inflamed some days despite being treated?

    +any other details you might like to mention.

    Thanks in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums and can happen because of an infection no matter how good your oral hygiene regiment is. Once the treatment is effective, you will be fine unless reinfected. Stop putting your fingers or other object in your mouth. (Do you chew on pens or other objects when you’re thinking or daydreaming?) Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your toothbrush and any other dental instruments you use. Ask you dentist about using Listerine, it may be causing a problem with your natural defenses. Get some advice from your dentist about what oral hygiene steps you should be taking. I have found that a baking powder toothpaste with peroxide worked best for me, but can’t say it will work for everyone.

      Don’t worry, the dentist will give all the answers you are looking for.

37. QUESTION:
    Reverse Gingivitis?
    I have been wearing braces for about 2 months now that my teeth are shifting im noticing that my gums ar going back and im getting small gaps in between the teeth.
    My old dentis told me i had gingivitis(2 years ago).
    If this has anything to do with ging. how would i reverse it and is there any treatment?

    • ANSWER:
      brush you teeth! use this toothpaste called arm and hammer peroxide and baking soda whitening. and listerene is proven to kill gingivitis (according to their commercials anyway lol)

38. QUESTION:
    What to do about my gingivitis?
    My gums don’t bleed really anymore, I saw a doctor a couple months ago and they said I had it…though I couldn’t get treatment due to my insurance…I have this anti-gingivitis toothpaste though every time I use it my gums hurt really bad, like to the point where its unbearable and I stopped using the toothpaste. Should I keep using the toothpaste? Also I read brushing with hydrogen Peroxide helps is that true? And Should I get Listerine? anything else?
    sorry I mean dentist don’t know why I wrote doctor.
    @ Yeeeehaw yeah my whole backyard of my house is practically littered with aloe vera plants…so I definitely will try that unless someone tells me otherwise.

    • ANSWER:
      Do not use Listerine. That would be painful and only irritate your gums more than they already are.

      Hydrogen Peroxide shouldn’t be an idea either.

      Anything to stop the pain, I know.

      Brushing with hot water and allowing the bristles of your toothbrush to “heat up” will soften them, making brushing a less painful event. Brushing just with water may be something you want to look into, toothpaste can sometimes irritate the area. After brushing, ensure that your toothbrush is becoming somewhat sterilized by running it over hot water (for some time). This will prevent the bacteria from hosting on your toothbrush, possibly making this longer than what it should be.

      Aloe vera is amazing. If you haven’t heard about it, let me tell you a bit about it.

      It’s a plant produced gel that aid in the healing of wounds, burns and sores-and fast.

      The best way to get this kinda stuff if through buying and using the plant. Such gel can be bought in any drugstore though, which may be something you could look into.

      Try and get pure gel. Nothing scented. Nothing with alcohol… just good ol’ Aloe.

      If you can get your hands on an aloe plant, more power to you.

      What would you do with it though?

      Take a small bit of aloe gel and place it on your (clean) finger. Gently rub this on your gums, keeping it there as long as you can. This is a healing agent and the longer it has the chance to “sit”, the better it’ll work. Swallowing this type of gel isn’t dangerous but it’s best that you spit it out after letting it sit.

      This stuff is all natural and so you technically don’t have to worry about keeping it on for too long.

      Aloe tastes gross. It’s certainly not appetizing but you’re in a lot of pain. I guess you’re o.k. with lasting out the nastiness to get better. When our oral health is in jeopardy, life becomes pretty miserable.

      Before trying saline solutions (mouth washing with salt) or using anything with alcohol, you need to heal the area some.

      If you decide to use the aloe, keep in mind that you’re going to experience some burning and possibly itchiness. That would be your mouth healing. Hold back on running your tongue over the irritated area, this will only agitate it more.

      When you notice the symptoms easing, buy another toothbrush. Ensuring that your toothbrush is free from the bacteria that causes gingivitis will help you keep this at bay. That would be awesome, eh!?

      If you have any other comments or questions, feel free to ask.

      I hope you feel better real soon!

      Cheers!

39. QUESTION:
    How to treat mild gingivitis and shade anomalies?
    I just got my braces off that I had had on for nearly three years. When the braces came off, my orthodontist told me I had a mild case of gingivitis, and to get my teeth professionally cleaned, and then do some at home treatment. It’s not a bad case, not by what I saw when I looked it up, at least. The gums are slightly enflamed and a little sore.

    I’ve already booked an appointment for my cleaning with my dentist next week, but is there anything I can do now? I don’t understand what he meant by “at home treatment.” What kind of treatment?

    Also, there are spots where my brackets had been on my teeth, like the shading is different from the edges of the tooth to the center. Is there any good at home way to treat this, or will the cleaning take care of it? I use a stain treating toothpaste once a day anyway, will this just go away?

    Thanks in advance!

    • ANSWER:
      home treatment means you will be put on a program of care to make sure that the gingivitis does not re occur after your cleaning. Basically you will be shown how to properly brush and floss., and you will have to follow through with it. As far as the spots, they may be able to be polished off. When you go in for the cleaning, be sure to ask about them.

40. QUESTION:
    Red, easily bleeding gums Gingivitis or worse?
    I’ve been having a lot of dental issues recently and most of them have led to extractions and root canals. I have been told I have gingivitis which has bothered me before a bit, causing my gums to bleed when I brush and whatnot but it’s never been serious. Yesterday however, I noticed bright, dark redness (sounds like an oxymoron but it’s the only way to describe it) around a few of my bottom teeth which bleed very, very easily and it’s actually causing me quite a bit of pain. Another concern is–and it may not even be related, I’m not sure–is that my glands are swollen and I have a sore throat which started at roughly the same time as the redness and pain. My question is, is this just the gingivitis flaring up or is it something more serious? I’m trying to avoid an unnecessary trip to the dentist where he will just tell me to continue my current recommended treatment until it goes away. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      Usually gingivitis will cause your gums to bleed but is painless. The only time it becomes painful is when it becomes very advanced and is called periodontitis. At this stage it needs some treatment by the dentist to try to save your teeth. With swollen glands, this may be what you have causing the infection, or you may have a systemic disease causing these symptoms. If I were you , I’d see a periodontist for a second opinion and definitive diagnosis. Good luck.

41. QUESTION:
    Is my gingivitis healing?
    My dentist told me I have gingivitis in the gum of one of the front tooth and told me it is common among people of my age (im 18). Of course I started treatment, she gave me a transparent cream to do with the gums after washing my teeth. I floss and use mouthwash and also gargle with salt water. During the first week I had a lot of bleeding,the toothpaste was reddish when I brush my teeth but today I brushed my teeth and I did not bleed a lot, just a little and the toothpaste remained pure white. Does this mean its getting better? i still have a bit of a pain in the gum but its better

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, it means your gums are healing. Keep going with the treatment.

42. QUESTION:
    Gum cut flap bottom teeth, bleeding gingivitis for three weeks whats the cure?
    I had gingivitis for about 3 weeks now. I dont drink or smoke.

    Been brushing my teeth and my bottom middle teeth were bleeding. Went to the dentist and said i needed to brush to cure. So i thought right… all i need to do is bursh to cure. So i brushed everyday after every meal and after about a week and a half the pain started to die down. Then after a few days the pain drops down there is a cut in my gum and i can feel its flappy with my tounge. Then cut is below my bottom teeth on the root and everytime i brush it it irritates it and i have bleeding and few amounts of pain.

    So the doctor told me to brush yet nothing is doing good, i even mouthwashed my teeth with anti plaque wash. Does the doctor not do a root gum clean? i had this before but this time they did not give me this treatment.

    Whats wrong with my gums and what treatment would i need?

    • ANSWER:
      I know, seems like a too easy an answer right? but guess what, your dentist is right.
      brush that area real well, meaning well but not abusive. then floss in between the teeth and make sure the floss goes right under the gums and scrape all that crap out.
      Gingivitis is caused by bacteria in your mouth that attaches on your teeth in between and under the gums.
      You will find that it may make it bleed more ( a self defense mechanism that your gums have to flush anything that’s irritating it) but if you do it consistantly, especially before you go to bed, you will see an improvement in one week.

43. QUESTION:
    Do I still have Gingivitis?
    I had braces from 6th to 10 grade I’m now 32. I was told i had gingivitis. I had all the problems swollen gums, bleeding , and the pockets around the teeth. I am deathly afraid of the dentist but went and started treatment this was 4 years ago. All of a sudden my teeth stop bleeding and they aren’t swollen anymore. I notice that while brushing big pieces of hard plaque was coming off my teeth.Sorry to sound gross, but I was told once you have it you always have it. I haven’t built up enough nerve to go back to the dentist.

    • ANSWER:
      From what you have described, you sound like you have periodontitis which is a what gingivitis progresses to become. Like diabetes, there is no cure for periodontitis only treatment. The stuff coming off of your teeth is not plaque but calculus, otherwise known as tartar. If it is coming off of your teeth when you brush, you must have a large amount of it. This is not healthy for your mouth or for your overall health. You may have removed enough tartar to temporarily stop the bleeding and the swelling, but I can assure you it will be back. Have any of your teeth become loose yet? This will be the next stage. Once that starts to happen, you will end up losing your teeth. You need to see a dentist ASAP and continue with any treatment they recommend. Unless of course you are okay with having dentures. Sorry to sound so blunt.

44. QUESTION:
    Is this a sign of gingivitis? Please answer…T.T?
    Okay, so i’m having my braces for more than 2 years….and while i was watching a movie just now….suddenly my teeth started to itch(bear in mind, it was only a single tooth which itches..n that tooth was previously decay but i had treatment n filling before)….i went to check my teeth in the bathroom, there wasn’t anything….so i ignore it…..but after when i had my dinner n before i go to bed(there was nothing wrong with my teeth)…but the minute i went to the bathroom…gugle my mouth, spit it out…there was blood….so i panicked….n my teeth was itching again…so i brush my teeth….it was bleeding excessively( i could taste the blood, ewww)….after i stop brushing…..it stopped bleeding……am i going to get gingivitis??……

    • ANSWER:
      Anytime your gums bleed it is a sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis means “inflammation of the gums”. Having braces makes your gums much more succeptable to gingivitis because it is so hard to brush and floss with braces on. Gingivitis is completely reversable and preventable so there has not been any permanent damage, you just need to brush really well twice a day, and use your floss threaders to floss every day, use mouthwash regularly, and especially after you get your braces off and you can brush a little better it should all clear up! . . . However if Gingivitis is not taken care of soon enough and is just ignored it CAN lead to a more serious problem causing bone loss called Periodontal Disease. Go to your dentist for a cleaning, and do your best!

45. QUESTION:
    At home treatments for Gum Disease or Gingivitis?
    I havent been brushing my teeth on a regular basis, and I have been noticing that my gums have been hurting ans sore and swollen.
    Im ususlly very good at dental hygene, but I have been stressed and busy and just forgot to brush regularly lately.
    I am brushing good now, but my gums bleed a little when I do and even afterwards, they throb and hurt and are swollen.
    I mad an appointment for a teeth cleaning but I cant go for 2 weeks. Im brushing a lot, but What can I do in the meantime to make this Gingivitis go away? are there any mouth rinses I should do, or any home remedies??
    Would a salt water rinse help at all??

    • ANSWER:
      You also need to be flossing. Salt water rinses may help. Just keep brushing and don’t worry about the bleeding. Healthy gums will not bleed . So when the bleeding stops you know you are making progress. You will probably need some professional cleaning to totally clear up your gingivitis, Good luck.

46. QUESTION:
    The toothache pain decreased but do i need antibiotic treatment ( Expert opinion only please )?
    I am an allopathic doctor.I had bad teeth since childhood.So i got multple caries. My second molar became caried. Then i had a filling done but i feel that the tooth was slightly cracked then.After several treatments, I had a metallic crown placed over it. Recently the crown came off, about 5 months ago. But the silver filling is stll there. I havent had a root canal operation done yet.

    Now 4 days before , i had a tooth ache. it was persistent, though not exactly throbbing in nature. I didnt take pain killers to decrease the intensity of pain so that if the pain increased i knew i was dealing with something serious. Also my brother ( who is also an allopathic doctor ) suggested not taking Antibiotics so that i dont form a dental abscess ( due to the pus formed after treatment ). I tolerated the pain and the pain subsided. I used to feel that it was a gingivitis though it used to pain severely when i used to press my tongue on it. I feel the pain was due to the crack in the tooth but i may be wrong here. The pain decreased in intensity everyday since the last 4 days. Today however i have minimal pain on pressing my tongue on the tooth ( which i feel suggests that the nerve is still alive ) but i have a swelling of my gum on the lateral side. I tried pressing it but it doesnt look fluctuant. Pressing on it suggest its firm. The pain has decreased in intensity considerably but this swelling has arose. I am concerned about this swelling.I have a slightly tender submandibular Lymph node ( 1 cm in diameter ) which i feel is only a reaction to the acute inflammation.

    My questions are
    1) Is this dental abscess ( even though pain has decreased and i feel that nerve is still alive , or just a body reaction to an inflammation resulting in swelling )

    2) I know i need to go to a dentist soon but i have an exam in 8 days. And i will be returning to my home country in 2 months. I dont have a insurance here in US. Can i wait for this much time using conservative treatment.

    3.) Can i take antibiotics now ? I am concerned if there is any infection i am overlooking. I dont want a dental abscess at any cost. Also i cant afford to go to a dentist soon enough because of my exam of 2 days and i dont want a nagging dental pain before my exam. ( My pain is already of less intensity ). If i take antibiotics now then will it develop into a dental abscess ? I dont have any fever now.

    4) The swelling wasnt there for 3 days but suddenly when i woke up today, its there. Whats the reason.

    For your reference i am attaching a picture of the swollen gum

    http://i37.tinypic.com/2ztbpq8.jpg

    • ANSWER:
      go to a dentist immediately

47. QUESTION:
    Inflamed gums for 2-3 days and good oral hygeine?
    This happens every couple months. Dentist says it’s not gingivitis and I brush and floss everyday. Any suggestions on prevention and/or treatment?

    • ANSWER:
      could be something your eating . try to see what it is . if you have braces that may be the problem

48. QUESTION:
    My cat has gingivitis and a foul ear odor- possibly a polyp or infection. Please provide helpful information.?
    I got a one yr. old tabby female from the SPCA a few months ago. Took her to the vet for a checkup. She has very foul breath and also a horrible smell in her infected ear. The vet told me to get lysine for the ginigivitis…(he didn’t mention cleaning). Also, he said I could give her antibiotics if the ear was bothering her. He thought the ear problem could be an infection or a polyp. She seems perfectly healthy otherwise. She doesn’t seem to have ear pain…but the odor is awful. Also, I have been doing the lysine but have not noticed a difference. My vet didn’t seem too concerned about this. What should be done for her? She’s a young cat now..but it could get worse as she ages. I feed her only dry food and sometimes tuna juice when we open a can. She also sometimes scoots across the rug. Should I get her worm treatment? How do you know whether it’s worms or just anal glands? Thanks for your help…I have had other cats, but this is the first one I’ve had with these problems. Thanks!
    I think I will get a second opinion from another vet. I don’t think the first was intentionally overlooking concerns. He is older and not sure if he does dental work. Appreciate all the great advice.

    • ANSWER:
      Shame on your vet for not giving a darn about oral and ear infection, simple antibiotics and supplements will do nothing to solve the problem. The infection from her mouth will spread to her heart and kidneys, and she will scratch the heck out of that ear until it blows up into a hematoma.

      My first suggestion is to find a vet with the time and concern to address your cat’s medical needs. My second suggestion is to get proper medication and treatment for the cause of the ear infection, and to have her put under anesthesia to clean the teeth thoroughly before they abscess or kill her.

      As for the scooting, it never hurts to deworm a cat with unknown history. FIRST make sure she’s treated and flea free before deworming. Then deworm with pyrantel pamoate for roundworms, and praziquantel for tapeworms. The p-pam will need to be repeated in 2-3 weeks, but the praziquantel usually takes care of the tapes in one dose. Both of these medications are now available over the counter (at least in the US). And when you have her looked at by your new vet, just make sure they check her glands and empty them if necessary. Tapeworms, fleas, allergies, and inflammatory conditions can all cause occlusion of the gland ducts, making them fill up. Make sure you don’t just treat the full glands, but also resolve the cause.

      And I don’t know why anyone would try to argue that canned cat food is better for dry. Elderly cats with no teeth maybe, but canned food is TERRIBLE for teeth, the syrup contains concentrated sugars that stick to the outside of the teeth where they cannot lick them clean. Chewing dry food keeps the teeth and gums in good health with proper stimulation, and less buildup.

49. QUESTION:
    Treatment of Periodontal disease?
    I went to the dentist today and they said that i had mild periodontal disease and gingivitis. I thought this to be quite impossible considering that i am only 18 years old. Although i suppose it is possible I read on the phamplet’s about that it is incurable and other type things. From how they explained it to me it seemed like it could be easily treated and than prevented from than after. Should i be too terribly worried about this?

    • ANSWER:
      Hi dont listen to these people keep using fluoride toothpaste you need fluoride. I would worry about this but not too much periodontal disease & gingivitis is very common and anyone at any age can get it, it can also be genetic.
      It is also incurrable but prevention is the key! all you need to do is eat a healthy diet with low sugar etc, brush/floss twice a day and use mouthwashes in between. Also regular cleans at your dentist will help. You can loose your teeth through this so plz start today!

      Have a look at this if u wish.

      http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/GumPeriodontalDiseases/PeriodontalDiseases.htm

50. QUESTION:
    Cat gingivitis/stomatitis?
    My cat seems to have major problems with her gums and teeth: before she had them cleaned by a vet but the last time was 3 months ago and now her mouth already looks (and smells) scary. The vet is suggesting to remove almost all of her teeth. Is that like a common practice? Aren’t there less… invasive ways of treatment?

    It’s also impossible to clean her teeth, because she is in pain and she won’t even let me touch her on the outside near the mouth.

    • ANSWER:
      If your vet recommends pulling the teeth and you’re unsure about this, you could always get a second opinion.
      Otherwise, cats do fine without their teeth.
      They don’t really chew their food much anyway.