How To Treat Gingivitis

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   How can I treat gingivitis at home?
   Well, I have slight gingivitis, so I would like to know some easy at-home remedies for gums. Today, I’ve tried a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, brushing and flossing teeth more regularly, but are there any others? Is there a recommended toothpaste I can use for it as well?

   • ANSWER:
     I had a problem with gingivitis myself, and the best cure is to use Listerine twice every day. Keep brushing and flossing, of course, but Listerine is what really took care of the gingivitis.

     This also works on early periodontis, but you still need to have your hygenists clean your teeth regularly.

2. QUESTION:
   How do you treat gingivitis?
   I am a teenager with braces, on all my teeth, and I have gingivitis on my lower set of teeth. The places that I have it are on the left and right side of my mouth, facing outward. I also have some on the inside of my gum that is across from the outside part of the gum with gingivitis. My description is a bit confusing so, here is a U and it represents my lower teeth. I have gingivitis on the outside where the u’s rounded corners are. I also have some on the inside of one corner.

   Okay, now I have had gigivitis before, June/July of 2007, I know, bad me. How can I treat my gingivitis without seeing my dentist again. I am using a soft toothbrush and Ultrabrite toothpaste along with Colgate peroxyl after rinse and I floss as well. By the way, I know that you are supposed to floss twice a day, but I only do it once.

   Now you have all the info. Is there any specific brushing techniques I should do? Please give me some advice!

   • ANSWER:
     Get a proxybrush and use it up and down so it passes under your wires. It will probably cause some bleeding due to the gingivitis, but it will also massage the gums causing increased blood flow and therefore a reduction in inflammatory cells. You might also consider getting an electric toothbrush with an orthodontic head on it (Oral B Braun) OR get an oral irrigator (Water Pik).

     See this link with information and photos (esp. of the proxybrush (also called an interdental brush)

     http://www.oralb.com/us/learningcenter/conditions/orthodontics.asp

     Good luck!

     JAMRDH -a dental hygienist

3. QUESTION:
   How do you treat gingivitis at home?
   It’s only in one spot in my gums, between 2 top molars. The gum there is sensitive, painful and itchy. It’s been 2 days, i’ve been brushing and flossing and using listerine. Do I have to go to the dentist? I just don’t have enough time to go, so been trying to get rid of it at home. What should I do?

   Thanks

   • ANSWER:
     Get some mouth rinse specifically for gingivitis, followed up with a dentist appt if symptoms don’t improve.

4. QUESTION:
   How to treat gingivitis?
   Its been a few days that due to some herpes lesions in my mouth i wasnt able to brush properly and now i see that my gums are reddish and swalllen and bleed when i brush…what should i do to bring them back to a healthy state ?

   • ANSWER:
     The best thing to do is keep brushing your teeth and floss regularly. Dentists have proven that if you floss a lot, it gets rid of gingivitis.

     Hope that helps

5. QUESTION:
   How to treat gingivitis once you already have it? My niece is staying with me & she has gingivitis…?
   is there anything I can do until she can see a dentist? She’s complaining of gum & tooth pain?

   • ANSWER:
     It depends on how severe the case is. But the best things are to brush well, floss regularly and use an antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine or hydrogen peroxide.

6. QUESTION:
   how to treat serious gingivitis?
   how can i treat gingivitis. my lower gums curl excelivly low on every tooth and it worries me. is their a way to treat this where my gums will go back to normal.

   • ANSWER:
     In order for you to treat your gingivitis, you need to be flossing several times a day. You should go to the dentist and he might prescribe antibiotics that are put into your gums (Arestin is what the antibiotics are called and they are injected into the sulcus). It depends on how serious your gingivitis really is. You could also get a WaterPik from a pharmacy and use that too.

7. QUESTION:
   how to treat gingivitis?
   today i notice that whenever i put pressure on my upper gum it hurts. and when i looked in the mirror a small part of my gum was red. it wasnt bleeding but it was red. could it be gingivitis? if it is then how can i cure it at home other then visiting the dentist. im using crest 3D moutwash and it really seemed to
   to get rid of the dirty stuff off my gum. what mouthwash can i use to help cure gingivitis. also how can i prevent gingivitis? PS. i dont care how nasy the mouthwash tast like…

   • ANSWER:

8. QUESTION:
   How can I get rid of “Gingivitis” FOREVER?
   I’ve always had gum disease when I was little. Usually, my gums don’t bother me, but it gets enlarged and puffed after I eat beef. AND, I do have gingivitis myself. Do they sell products in the store to treat gingivitis? I want something that is better than Listerine. =( . ANY suggestion?

   • ANSWER:
     Brush and floss at least twice a day. See the dentist every 6 months for exam and cleaning. Do this for the rest of your life. Then you will have no gingivitis.

9. QUESTION:
   How long does it take for the inflammation/redness to go from the gums when treating gingivitis?
   I saw the dentist 2 weeks ago, and have been flossing, brushing my teeth and using the prescribed mouthwash religiously since then. I’m seeing him again tomorrow, but some redness is still there – is this normal. I’m worried that there should have been more of an improvement.

   • ANSWER:
     If you were using as the dentist suggested you should be fine. Depending on the severity of the gingivitis depends on how long it will take your gums to go back to normal. I am assuming that you had a mild case therefore I would say you should be fine within the next 2 – 3 weeks meaning that you would have been doing brushing, flossing and rinsing at least 2 times a day. Good luck and keep it up so it does not happen again.

10. QUESTION:
    How can you treat pregnancy gingivitis?
    I am five months pregnant and my dentist diagnosed me with gingivitis. I am extremely concerned because I heard that it is connected to preterm labor. The only things my dentist suggested were brushing more, flossing more, and rinsing. How else can I protect myself from gingivitis and possible preterm labor?

    • ANSWER:
      Follow his advice and also make sure you are on pre natal vitamins. Much of a pregnancy gingivitis is hormonally related and after the delivery improves drastically. Do an extra special job with home care during the pregnancy. Good luck with the baby.

11. QUESTION:
    Treating gingivitis for children?
    My little sister has gingivitis and how do I treat it or cure it? The dentist didn’t give us anything! So I’m just wondering how to treat it for her. She’s 9 years old. I’ve googled yahoo answer about how to treat gingivitis but she’s to young to use Listerine. So what should I do?

    • ANSWER:
      LD – Try calling your little sister’s dentist or office dental assistant, asking what you can do to help your sister. Chronic gingivitis is common in children. It usually causes gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily. Gingivitis is both preventable and treatable with a regular routine of brushing, flossing and professional dental care. However, left untreated, it can eventually advance to more serious forms of periodontal disease.

12. QUESTION:
    When do kittens lose thier front little tiny nub teeth? Treating gingivitis in kittens…?
    My kitten is about 8 and a half months old. She lost her fang teeth and back molors a few months ago. I have now noticed some of the tiny tiny little nubby teeth on the top and bottom of the front of her mouth missing. Is this normal at 8.5 months old? She has really bad gingivitis that we are treating-could these be permanent teeth coming out?

    The gingivitis was found in the whole litter of feral kittens that we got her from. We are using some gel on her gums we started yesterday. If that doesn’t work the vet wanted to try antibiotics next…and tips on how to treat this?

    • ANSWER:
      According to the link below, they get adult teeth at month eight or nine, so I’d say your kitten is right on schedule.

13. QUESTION:
    Gingivitis + Braces!?
    I get my braces off next month and have realized that I have a gum infection (red, swollen and shiny). I am trying my best to take care of my teeth until I see my dentist again but should I make an emergency appointment? ..

    I do not know how to floss WITH braces on. I use a ‘brush-up’ that goes between the bracets to clean any plague that may be there. I also use mouth wash after every meal. I do brush under them as well and have noticed I have some Tatar stains–Is there a way I can get rid of them?

    I find it difficult to treat gingivitis when you have braces. Any suggestions? ..

    • ANSWER:
      Go buy super floss, it has a tip that can slide through the wires, you can’t get all of the back teeth but do what you can with it. I have some gingivitis right now and braces I’ve been using it off and on but If you are motivated you should be able to rid yourself of it.

14. QUESTION:
    Best toothpaste to use when you have Gingivitis?
    Hello, i have a serious case of gingivitis my dentist said because i never brushed my teeth (I know, please don’t tell me!) he also said if i don’t start brushing them everyday i’ll end up loosing my teeth when i’m older (I’m 16). I also have cavities on my top teeth which needs to be fixed as well. I’m wondering what type of toothpaste is the best for this? do i need to use mouth wash as well? and when i go to the dentist (I need to go for a cleaning first, then they’ll fix the other problems in different visits *I think*) what will happen after? and how does a dentist treat gingivitis? Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      alright, well first off a certain type of toothpaste won’t help gingivitis. gingivitis is caused by not flossing and brushing. if you aren’t brushing away the plaque that accumulates on your teeth you will get gingivitis which can later lead to periodontal problems which is bone resorption. so again a certain type of toothpaste won’t help you, any kind will do.. crest,colgate,sensodyne..etc. as far as mouthwash’s go, yes use one, listerine is one of the best ones out there..get their fluoridated rinse.. if you can’t find that, just use any listerine you prefer. after you go for a cleaning they will then start on your treatment. and fyi a dentist doesn’t “treat” gingivitis.. its all you. you need to floss and brush your own teeth PROPERLY. don’t snap the floss down… c-saw it down Between your teeth and make a C shape around each tooth. do it everyday religiously for 2 weeks and your gingivitis will clear up.. but after 2 weeks you can’t just stop or else obviously the gingivitis will come back.

15. QUESTION:
    treating gingivitis *dentists please*?
    i have a little gingivitis above a front tooth. so i’ve decided to really focus on my flossing which i guess ive been doing wrong before. i’m now making sure to go under the gum line and i’m brushing my gums too. so i’ve noticed tonight my gums look more red and a little swollen. this was my first night of extensive care is that why? how long before they calm down? i know my gums needed that care so i’m assuming getting the floss underneath them would do this since they’ve been neglected. when i flossed before i just went between the teeth.
    i do have a wonderful oral b electric toothbrush. it has a great setting on it that wont let you brush your gums too hard. thanks for all the advice

    • ANSWER:
      Your gums are just irritated from all the brushing. They weren’t used to it. If you keep up your routine, they’ll get used to it and heal in a few weeks.

16. 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.

17. QUESTION:
    Gingivitis?
    Will people’s teeth with gingivitis go back to normal before they had gingivitis, when treated???
    How to treat fast?

    • ANSWER:
      Gingivitis is an infection of the gums. If you have ANY metal in your mouth, you need to get rid of that first, including Amalgam fillings, etc. If you have ANY root canals done by typical dental procedures being used in so called “modern dentistry” today, there will be Cavitations under those canal roots in 100% of the cases. These infections from the cavitations will promote bacterial growth in the mouth, especially in the bones of the jaw. In 1915, the father of modern dentistry recognized the cavitation problem and it has been talked about, but so called “modern dentistry” seems to just ignore it and the problems it is causing so many people today with their health.

      To clear up gingivitis, this can be done with NO chemicals and NO medicines being used. Get some Neem Oil and Neem Bark from: (800) 370 – 3447. When they send it to you, mix a little of each of these things together to form a paste. Apply that to the gums morning and night. In a day or two, there will be NO more bleeding and the healing will be very fast.

      This mixture can clear up the so called “dental pockets” that form in badly cared for teeth. The worst cases I’ve seen have been cleared in about 2 months with this product. It is really quite spectacular.

      good luck to you

18. QUESTION:
    my toddler is only 16 months old, the pedia said she has gingivitis. How to treat this?
    6 teeth are about to grow, and her gums are swollen, the pedia said that my 16 month toddler has gingivitis? Is this possible at a very young age? How to avoid this? She loves to play the pacifier in her mouth.

    • ANSWER:
      My son about that age had gingivitis because of the pacifier. When I wanted to break him from the bottle I thought the pacifier would be the lesser of two evils (since I didn’t think the pacifier would rot his teeth). He never took the pacifier till I broke him from the bottle. When I took him to the doctor after him waking up with blood around his mouth 2 mornings in a row she told me to take him to the denist. They had me take gauze and push it against his gums to force the blood and infection out and put him on an antibiotic. As far as avoiding this I had to take all of his pacifiers away which he was ok with cause he understood that it was what was causing the pain! Good luck!

19. QUESTION:
    How is Gingivitis treated?
    I went to the dentist the other, knowing that I have a lot of visits ahead of me. I went in for a check-up…and left with an unexpected (but awesome) cleaning that a dental assistant did with a Cavitron, manual metal scraper of some sort, and a polisher. Though that cleaning with the Cavitron was freaking painful at times…I’m thrilled at how white my teeth are now.

    I mentioned to her that it hurts when I floss…she said it’s because I have Gingivitis. I wasn’t given any mouthwash or anything (though I use Listerine now). I also floss at least once a day now and brush at least two times a day. But what about the Gingivitis? How do I get rid of what is there? Is the flossing and mouthwash going to work by themselves? Also, is using Listerine every single day one or two times a day bad for the teeth? It seems to be kind of sketchy getting a direct answer…some say it’s bad, others say it’s good and kills germs. But the question is…does it hurt my teeth and gums doing that?

    • ANSWER:
      Find another dentist, get a second opinions. I have worked with dentists and they call will tell a person that has the beginning stage of perio. disease which is “gingivitis” to take a special kind of mouth wash. That mouth wash will help the swelling and bleeding of the gums. Also they would recommend for you to get a deep cleaning which is for a severe plaque/calculus build up. Most likely you have gingivitis is because of pretty much crappy flossing and brushing so it builds up underneath your teeth (in your gums) so a regular cleaning won’t do much help. Brushing is important, but flossing is much more important. Try to floss more like every time you eat. carry some floss. Flossing isnt much fun but it makes a big difference and it helps A LOT. If i was stranded on an island and had only one choice of a dental hygiene product it would be floss. Its that important. Listerine is good,but its not a need. I can’t tellyou enough but floss floss floss. it gets the build up food particals that get stuck in your teeth that your BRUSH can’t reach and leads to perio. disease.

      anyways i am only a dental assistant wanting a career in dental hygiene so I make sure I really listen when i am with dentist or hygienist. And what You are saying that the dentist had told is not right. please go to a GOOD office. Dont go to monarch,jefferson. stuff like that.

      if you have any questions please email me.

20. QUESTION:
    Amoxocillin + Gingivitis. Doctors help?
    I have Gingivitis and swollen lymph nodes. I went to the doctors and he put me on Amoxicillin, I just looked through the leaflet and it says how it’s used to treat a number of infections including throat ones. But it doesn’t mention anything about Gingivitis. Is this going to treat my Gingivitis?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes it will. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic. Be patient (excuse the pun) all antibiotics take a few days to work. Be sure to take the whole course too.

21. QUESTION:
    How should I order my brushing of teeth, rinsing/gargling with salt water, and use of Listerine?
    I know Listerine should be used at the end, but I hope it’s fine to use a little bit before brushing? I have braces and need also to treat my gingivitis.

    Should I use salt water before and/or after brushing? What is the most logical order?

    • ANSWER:
      I have dont some research over the internet and the information about listerine is false.

      Listerine:
      (1) has adverse effects on the the lining of the mouth
      (2) dries out the mouth, thus increasing risk of developing decay
      (3) kills good bacteria as well as bad ones
      (4) does nothing to help freshen breath
      It has something to do with the alcohol and the combination of chemicals it contains…

      The best way to go is natural, using the salt water rinse. However, you could try some of the newer mouthwashes containing no alcohol. Kids mouthwashes are a good option to look at, even for adults.

      Anyway, back to the real question. There is little information out there on which way to order the salt rinse and brushing teeth, but I found on a wisdom teeth removal help site that it was best to rinse with the salt water first, followed by brushing teeth. However, I am unsure to weather or not that applies to everyone. Maybe try that arrangement first and consult your dentist at your next check up.

      Hope this helps!

22. QUESTION:
    GINGIVITIS????PLEASE HELP..?
    I went to the dentist yesterday and was told that I had gingivitis,needed a tooth pulled and had 8 cavities..so now I am trying to take better care of my teeth because I dont ever want to have to be told anything like this again…
    i get my tooth pulled tomorrow.not really sure what to expect,if u ever had had a tooth pulled how was itt?
    ive decided to get 4 cavities filled at a time,,,
    but i HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE GINGIVITIS?,the dentist didnt tell me
    i now use colgate total toothpaste,reach floss,listerine total mouthwash….the plan is to do all after each meal and i will also have one of each n my purseso i can do this while out,i believe that may have been one of the majorproblems..

    i know i wrote alot but if u have any other suggestions…or know what to do to clear up or treat my gingivitis please let me know??

    • ANSWER:
      relax, the tooth will be taken out under anesthesia…so, it won;t hurt.

      …follow all of the instructions given afterwards….get a prescription for pain medication for the first 3/4 days and make sure to apply a lot of ice to reduce the swelling, pain and bleeding.

      ….for gingivitis you need to get the professional cleaning done, and then you can maintain with regular brushing and flossing and 6 month maintenance visits.

23. QUESTION:
    How can I treat my cat’s gingivitis at home?
    He got a check up at the vet yesterday and has a mild case of gingivitis. The vet said it can be treated at home. What should I use to brush his teeth with or treat it with?

    • ANSWER:
      You can find dental products for cats at Petsmart, Petco and probably any other place that would sell pet supplies. Usually a dental kit comes with a toothbrush and toothpaste specially designed for cats.

      I try and brush my cats teeth once a week, but they really hate it. I have heard of tartar control cat treats by Temptations but I can’t say whether they work or not as I haven’t tried them. I have seen Feline Greenies which are supposed to be good for cats teeth and help eliminate bad breath, but I again, haven’t tried these.

24. 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.

25. QUESTION:
    How can I treat my cat’s gingivitis?
    My 2 year old cat (Doodle) was diagnosed with kidney failure 3 months ago. Recently I have noticed sever bad breath and opened his mouth to check his teeth. His gums were bright red around his teeth. My 12 year old cat (Tinker) has FIV and he also has the same problem. The vet said gingivitis is just one of the many side effects that come with his disease. I was sent home with a mouthwash kinda thing but it is IMPOSSIBLE to use on either cat, especially twice a day! Anything that I can administer to him in his food? Suggestions? Please help. Thanks
    I have had their teeth cleaned a dental work done before. Yes, Doodle is on sub-q fluids and predisone for his cancer and he does not have FIV. Anything easier than brushing teeth?

    • ANSWER:
      The treatment for gingivitis in cats is to have the cat’s teeth professionally cleaned. In addition to cleaning above the gum line, a vet surgeon will do ultrasonic scaling or cleaning below the cat’s gum line. Cats are typically put under anesthetic for this procedure because it can be very painful. Your veterinarian may also choose to put your cat on antibiotics if an infection in the gums is present.

      Of course, the best treatment for gingivitis is prevention. It is best to begin a home dental care routine with your cat when he or she is young, if at all possible. Brushing your cat’s teeth will take time and patience. You need to slowly acclimate your cat to having his or her teeth brushed. To do this, make teeth brushing sessions short and positive and praise your feline throughout each session.

      First, set aside some time everyday to brush your cat’s teeth. Sit down with your cat on your lap and gently stroke your kitty’s cheek. After a few sessions of that, you can progress to the next step. Get your kitty used to having things placed into his or her mouth by dipping your finger into some tuna water and allow your cat to lick it off your finger. Next, gently rub your finger over your feline’s gums. Repeat these steps for a few sessions before moving on to the next step.

      Doctors Foster and Smith recommend wrapping some gauze around your finger, dipping it into some tuna juice or other liquid your cat may enjoy, and massaging your cat’s gums in a circular motion. Again, wait until your cat is comfortable with this procedure before you move on to the next step.

      To get your cat used to the texture and consistency of a toothbrush, put something tasty onto the toothbrush and allow your cat to lick it off. You can purchase a toothbrush from the cat section of your local pet store or you can purchase a child’s size toothbrush for your kitty.

      Next, get your cat used to pet toothpaste by putting some on your finger and allowing your feline to lick it off. Rub toothpaste gently over your cat’s gums. You may purchase pet toothpaste in beef, poultry, or other flavors your cat may like in the cat section of your local pet store.

      Finally, you are ready to begin brushing your cat’s teeth with the toothbrush and toothpaste. Put some pet toothpaste onto the toothbrush and begin to brush your cat’s teeth. Pay special attention to your cat’s gums and his or her gum line. Start by brushing one or two of your cat’s teeth and progress slowly to brushing more teeth in future sessions. Remember to praise your cat for being good throughout the sessions and talk to him or her in a happy and soothing voice.

      Gingivitis can be a serious problem for your cat. Taking your cat to regular checkups at the vet as well as using home dental care practices, you will be able to catch and treat feline gingivitis early so that it doesn’t develop into anything more severe.

      Good luck.

26. QUESTION:
    22/m Gingivitis from HSV-1 Primary: How to treat?
    The cold-sores are getting much better, but the gingivitis seems to stay the same.

    I am brushing/flossing twice daily and rinsing with salt water ~4.
    I am taking 800mg ibeuprofen twice daily.

    How long does does the Gingivitis typically take to clear up in a primary hsv 1 case?

    Is there anything I can do to relieve the pain or expedite the process?

    THANK YOU!

    • ANSWER:

27. QUESTION:
    How do you treat and eventually get rid of gingivitis?
    I’m a 17 year old boy, and..Well, I’ve been getting lots and lots of sugar..And I never really flossed because it’s irritating as hell. My mouth are smaller then my hands, so its hard to get in there with the floss. Maybe you could give me some advice on that?

    Anyways, to the point..I’ve started flossing, but I doubt I’m doing a very good job at it. My gums are inflamed, and swollen..What’s stupid though is that I don’t think nothing is wrong with them because I don’t have anything to compare my gums too, you know? I’ve never looked at peoples mouths before -_-. I mean, I didn’t think that was something I should observe.

    My dentist gave me PerioMed for my gingivitis. Um..Its antimicrobial Oral Rinse. It’s for my gums, and just a tiny few cavities. But I gotta be honest, I don’t trust my dentists. Not after what they did to my dad. I mean, albeit, my dad is very old, but um..You know what, I’m getting off topic here.

    Meh…So I swish this crap around in my mouth everynight for 1 minute after brushing and flossing my teeth. And I cal it crap because I can’t drink anything afterwards when i go to bed and..I need water for- GOD! I’m doing it again, damnit.

    Does this stuff really help gingivitis? I started last week and..I’m not noticing any physical changes. My teeth feel a bit shinier though..Like..Clean, slippery.

    What else could I do to treat it? You know what? Screw treating it..

    The more important question to me is..

    WILL IT GET RID OF IT IF I KEEP DOING IT EVERYNIGHT?

    • ANSWER:
      Your dentist is taking a slow, conservative approach, which is the right thing to do in your case. However, the reality is that it is too soon to tell whether what you are doing will get rid of the gingivitis. Flossing and the PerioMed might or might not be enough. But it is worth doing anyway, for two reasons

      1) for some people, that’s all they need; and
      2) even if it turns out you need more aggressive treatment, you will STILL need to follow up, especially with the flossing.

      It really depends how bad your gingivitis is. In many (maybe most) cases, people need a deep cleaning to get under the gums. Root planing and scaling is what the procedure is called. If your gums do not get back to normal with just flossing and the PerioMed, that’s what you are facing. The good news is that with the root planing and continued flossing, almost everyone can get back to healthy gums. So, there is definitely hope. The only question is how much treatment you will need, and only time will tell that.

      Now, about your flossing. If you are going through the hassle of doing it, you might as well do it right. Put the floss between each two teeth, then bring it as far into the gum as you can. Bend the floss slightly, so that is is shaping around one of the teeth, and then “saw” back and forth, starting from the gum and then moving gradually to the edge of the tooth. Then, to it a second time, bending the floss around the other tooth. In other words, go over each space twice, once on each side. Use that back and forth sawing motion to make sure you scrape out whatever is there.

      Bottom line: if you keep flossing, eventually the gingivitis will go away, but you might need root planing and scaling to get a jump start.

      Good luck!!

28. QUESTION:
    I’m pretty sure I have gingivitis. How can I help treat it at home before seeing a dentist?
    I have experienced signs of gingivitis, if not the more serious form (starts with a “P” I forgot the word) and it’s really starting to make me paranoid. I thought I was taking pretty good care of my teeth. I absolutely can not see a dentist at this time due to my current insurance situation, but hopefully I can within the next month/month in a half. I bought Listerine because it says it helps fight it and I’ve been brushing and flossing even more, but what else can I do to stop the situation from getting worse until I see a dentist?

    • ANSWER:
      Listerine, brushing and flossing will all be very good. You might also try using a mouthwash called Closys before you brush, floss and finish with the Listerine. If you really want to help your teeth, you’ll also start using xylitol every day. It’s a natural sugar that helps kill bad mouth bacteria (like the stuff that is infecting your gum). You need about 6.5 or more grams spread throughout the day, especially after you eat. It comes in mints, gums, and granulated sugar. After 6 months you’ll eliminate the bad bacteria. Just be sure to keep it away from dogs as it will kill them.

29. QUESTION:
    I have bad gingivitis and need advice? Plz read?
    I have had bad teeth for as far back as i can rememeber because my mom never made me visit a dentist. So about 3 years back I went and found out that I needed filling and that I have gingivitis. The dentist office told me that they cannot do anything with me until I get rid of the gingivitis because me teeth would bleed to bad to even do a feeling. So over the last three years I never even cared about my teeth I brushed only once a day and now its come back to haunt me. My teeth are killing me, well i think it may be my gums too. I need some advice on what I should do to cure/help my teeth. I have not even bothered to call the dentist because i already know they will tell me the same thing that they wont be able to help me. I know that your thinking go get a different dentist cuz I know there are some out there that will treat me and my gingivitis but the thing is I am on medicade and this is the only dentist within 100 miles who takes that insurance. So my plan is to get serious and take care of my teeth and I would like to get rid of the gingivitis so I can eventually get my teeth worked on. What should i do? I know brush, floss, mouth wash and gargle salt water. Do you know of anything else? How long will it take until you think I would be well enough to see the dentist.

    • ANSWER:
      Ok, first of all, you need to calm down. There is no way your dentist can turn you away if you are in pain, even if they told you before that they couldn’t help until you got the gingivitis under control. I’m going to give you some advice for immediate care, but you need to call your dentist as soon as the office opens up tomorrow and schedule yourself in right away. Tell them that you are in pain, and they will schedule you in right away – you may need some extensive work done.

      Your problems are multiple, so I’ll address them one by one.

      1. Gingivitis. You need to, as the above poster mentioned, buy a soft-bristled tooth brush. Also, if you can find it at your pharmacy, a toothpaste that caters to gingivitis-infected mouths. Brush three times a day, not once, and brush especially long and good along the gum line, top and bottom, front and back of the teeth. The first day, brush three or four times in a row on the first brush of the day, rinsing the mouth in between with a salt water rinse. It will hurt, and your gums will bleed, but its a necessary treatment for the gum disease. Your case is likely very advanced, if it was that bad three years ago and you’ve been lax about dental hygiene since.

      2. Teeth. I’m sorry to tell you this, but if you haven’t been to the dentist in three years and you have at least one cavity that hasn’t been filled, your pain is definitely not only from gingivitis. You have some serious issues going on in your mouth. The tooth that had the original cavity will still need treatment. After three years, the tooth likely needs a root canal, as the cavity will have advanced to the nerve root of the tooth. This is likely causing some of the pain. If the tooth is badly infected, you may need an extraction.
      Lax brushing habits have probably given you other problems as well. Since you describe your pain as in “teeth” rather than a localized tooth, my guess would be that other teeth may need similar treatment: possibly root canals or extractions, definitely fillings. Tooth pain never gets better on its own, problems just intensify. If left untreated, infections can lead to abscess and infection of the bloodstream, jawbone, and numerous other problems. You need to see a dentist ASAP to deal with the problem teeth, regardless of your concerns about the gingivitis.

      3. Dental Hygiene. I’m sorry to lecture, but your dental hygiene has been extremely poor. You need to begin brushing three times a day, and FLOSSING on a daily basis as well. The leading cause of gingivitis is not flossing – plaque then builds up on the gums and causes deep infection of the tissue. That’s why your gums are bothering you. Flossing also prevents cavities between the teeth, which brushing alone can not. You also need to see a dentist every SIX MONTHS. Don’t not go back just because they told you to deal with your gum disease or because you are scared. Regular visits to the dentist are as important as trips to your doctor. They catch problems at the start – so small cavities or tooth weakness doesn’t turn into root canals and extractions. You need to start a good regimen of daily health and biannual visits to get your teeth back up to speed, or you will end up without them.

      Please make an appointment ASAP. You need to deal with this before the problem gets bigger.

30. QUESTION:
    does this sound like gingivitis?
    my gums have been kind of stinging when i brush my teeth and today they were really hurting. So I looked at them and up at the top my gums are really red and the same with the bottom gums, but right above the tooth my gums look pretty normal. They didn’t really bother me that much until today. Should I go to the dentist? I’m really scared of the dentist but i will go if I have to. Also, if it is gingivitis, how will he treat it? thank you to anyone who knows.
    oh and also…i’ve been eating a lot of pineapple lately, could that have anything to do with it?

    • ANSWER:
      It does sound like gingivitis. There are no special treatments a dentist can do for you. You still have time to reverse the process. You need to learn how to properly brush and floss correctly. Brushing alone will not stop it from developing into something more serious. You should be going to the dentist every 6 months. A dental assistant or hygienist can show you the proper techniques for brushing and flossing. Go make an appointment.

31. QUESTION:
    What happens if you have the start or half the way of gingivitis and have you ever had it and how it treated?
    I have a nice teeth colour and three fillings I got years ago on my molars and I have straight teeth and my breath doesn’t stink bt I do forget to brush sometimes and I don’t floss or use mouthwash not once in my life but I have sore bleeding gums and I’m really scared I may have gingivitis and I’m only 15
    =( HELP!!!

    • ANSWER:
      Eventually you will lose gum tissue and bone around the tooth root and then the tooth if it isn’t treated and kept under control.

32. QUESTION:
    How do you cure gingivitis?
    I have a small case of gingivitis, and I wanted to know what it took to get rid of or treat it. Thanks so much! (;

    • ANSWER:
      Listerine and baking soda continuously at least twice a day

33. QUESTION:
    How can you treat possible gum disease?
    I’ve had strong teeth for most of my life but am noticing my teeth being very slightly loose and aching. My gums are receding sightly as well and am pretty sure this is gingivitis or something like it.

    I will be going to a dentist, but what can I do to help my teeth feel tighter or keep my gums healthier?

    • ANSWER:
      DO NOT brush your teeth with lemon or orange zest. These are acidic and not good for your teeth. Have you ever eaten too many oranges and noticed your teeth being really sensitive? That’s from the acidity of the fruit.

      DO rinse with warm salt water as suggested by another poster. The warm salt water helps heal the tissue and resolve the pain. The recession could be attributed to a number of things including brushing too hard or periodontal disease. Gingivitis is typically redness and inflammation of the gums that occurs when your immune system tries to fight off the infection starting in your gums caused by plaque. Gingivitis is reversible. Periodontitis is the next step after gingivitis when your bodies immune system actually begins to break down bone while trying to destroy the infection in your gums, which leads to recession. Periodontitis is irreversible. If you have periodontitis, it is important to get your mouth to a healthier state and then maintain that status. If you have bone loss, the bone won’t grow back, but you can stop the progression of the disease to prevent more bone loss.

      It is important to brush your teeth twice a day, every morning and especially every night. You should be flossing every night as well. After speaking with your hygienist, you may want to start using a Waterpik water flosser. They actually remove more plaque from below the gum line than traditional floss and are great for periodontal patients. The bacteria involved in periodontal disease are anaerobic, which means they don’t like oxygen. The water flosser pushes water beneath the gumline, which helps remove plaque and delivers oxygen to those areas as well. You can get them for -50 from Walmart.com and sometimes they have free shipping. They’re also available in stores at a slightly higher price.

34. QUESTION:
    How can non-plaque-induced gingivitis be cured?
    My oral hygiene is excellent, I do not have any sign of plaque. However, I have sensitive gums with significant gum haemorrhage. The dentist told me this is probably caused by genetics, since my dad has also the same problem. I am not convinced that this is the case, is there any other way to treat this annoying disease?

    • ANSWER:
      Sensitive gums can also be a result abusing the gums during routine cleaning – you are brushing to hard. Try using a softer tooth brush. I have heard that diet can cause a condition that is often confused with gingivitis. Genetics is always a possibility.

35. QUESTION:
    How can I treat swollen gums?
    I floss every other day, but after I glossed last night, I woke up this morning to find that my gums were slightly swollen in between my teeth. This is a problem because I have a dentist appointment today, and one time I came in with swollen gums and the dentist said I had gingivitis. I know that’s not the case, so how can I reduce the swelling?

    • ANSWER:
      Buy listerine antibacterial mouthwash. If I wake up in the morning and my gums are slightly red after using that they are back to pink.

36. QUESTION:
    How to calculate epi rates?
    Here is a question that is from the textbook. Its driving me crazy!!! if anyone can show HOW they got the answers-that would be most helpful.

    We undertook a concurrent cohort study with intervention to determine the association between periodontal disease
    and preterm low birth weight. Two groups of pregnant women were used. The first group was women with periodontal disease who received no periodontal treatment during pregnancy. The second group was women with gingivitis or mild periodontitis who received periodontal treatment before 28 weeks’ gestation. For the objective of the current study, to determine the relationship between periodontal disease and adverse delivery outcomes, women with gingivitis or mild periodontitis treated before 28 weeks’ gestation were considered periodontally healthy and without periodontal infection, and were used as the comparison group.

    Although 722 women were initially enrolled in the study, 83 (11.5%) were excluded for various reasons. Of these, 53 (11.5%) were in the group of periodontally healthy women and 30 (11.2%) in the group with periodontal disease. Of the excluded women, 60 were lost to follow-up, 14 had a spontaneous abortion, and nine had medically indicated preterm delivery due to pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or polyhydroamnios. Because on the exclusions, 639 women finished the study. Of these study participants, 406 were in the group of periodontally healthy women and 233 in the group with periodontal disease.
    The total number of preterm births was 18 and the total number of low birth weight cases was 12. The number of preterm births was 6 among periodontally healthy women and 12 among women with periodontal disease. The number of low birth weight cases was 4 among periodontally healthy women and 8 among women with periodontal disease. Overall, the total number of preterm low-birth-weight (PLBW) cases identified in the study was 30. Of these, 18 were preterm births and 12 were low-birth-weight infants. The number of PLBW cases was 10 among periodontally healthy women and 20 among women with periodontal disease.

    here are the questions:
    7. Calculate the incidence of PLBW in the exposed group -
    8. Calculate the incidence of PLBW in the non-exposed group -
    9. Calculate the relative risk -

    it seems like it too much info in the problem so I just want to make sure I did it correctly. Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      #7. I(exposed)=20/233

      #8. I(non-exposed)=10/406

      #9 RR=(20/233)/(10/406)

37. 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.

38. QUESTION:
    I have got gingivitis,would i be able to have braces?
    My dentist told me that i have gingivitis 3 months ago n told me to come back later on,as the three months have passed i have booked an appointment later this week.I just want to know that would i be able to know would it be possible to fit braces and how it could be treated because i spend a lot of time on brushing my teeth but they still bleed for some stupid reason.Don’t know why.
    Help someone

    • ANSWER:
      I had gingivitis quite a few times and the best treatment I have found is brush your teeth at least twice a day & also use CORSODYL mouth wash. It clears up most oral infections & should clear your gingivitis quickly.
      Corsodyl is quite strong (hence clears infection quickly)& can be expensive so shop around.

39. QUESTION:
    My cat has gingivitis. Can anyone give me a rough estimate of how much it will cost for me to get it treated?

    • ANSWER:
      It really depends where you live. The best plan is to call the vets in your area and ask for an estimate, so you would have a good idea.
      I work at a vet in west TN and we charge anywhere from to 0 depending on how bad the teeth/gums are and how many teeth need to be pulled.
      On the flip side, a vet in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area is almost twice as expensive–so it really just depends.

40. QUESTION:
    what is happening to my gums? how can i fix it?
    right about one of my front upper teeth, there is what appears to be a core sore of some type and is it distorting my gum.
    whenever i touch it with my tongue it’s sensitive. it’s light white and as it moves up in the direction of my nose and ‘under’ my upper lip, the gums look a little dark red. they are not bleeding and i can still floss.

    i’ve been rinsing my mouth with salt water for the past 3 nights but i dont know it if is helping.

    i’m wondering, is this just a cold sore on my gums? or could it be something more serious like gum disease, gingivitis?

    how can i treat this sore and make it go away?? i can’t see the dentist for another week and i dont want it to get any worse
    over the course of today, my “gum infection”..(or whatever the thing is on my gum which looks like a sore).. has gotten worse.
    I think it may have somethign to do with the vein? because it hurts all the way up to my nose when i touch it.

    • ANSWER:
      Obviously I can’t tell you what it is but until you can get to the dentist use Corsodyl, it’s a mouthwash, you can get it from the chemist. It will help either gum disease or ulcers.

41. QUESTION:
    How to treat fresh water lake/stream for parasites?Do you think Salt,Lemons,Blue and Garlic will do the trick?
    How to treat fresh water lake/stream for parasites? Do you think Salt, Lemons, Blue and Garlic will do the trick?

    Also, I was wondering if there was free way to get snails and more catfish for the algae issue, Barley straw is scarce. I was wondering if a couple boxes of iodized salt. Lemons and Garlic will work to kill off all the parasite which seems to be taking over the small mouth bass population and could spread to the other fish if nothing is done soon…
    Salt, lemons, blue and garlic is a great remedy for pinworms, gingivitis and trush which come from bacteria buildup I treat folks and toddlers with it all the time. However, before I put these natural composites in the lake without knowing the adverse affect since I am not a biologist I was wondering if anyone out there has a better remedy or knows something that can fix the parasite and algae issue in lakes/Streams surrounding Boca Raton fl

    Due to the upscale in landscaping and trash from storm debris like from screen porches, chair metals, trampolines etc. This may have something to do with parasite developing in the some fish in the last few months as well, murky water and now a smelly scent in some of the areas. (you can see worm swimming around the eyes of some small mouth bass)
    Although I am nurse/caregiver as well as a business owner, I love the water, I grew up in Jamaican Indian, Jewish, Arab and Chinese community in Jamaica and so appreciate the wonders of nature. It’s all I have ever known.
    Anyway, I have pulled out trampolines, metal chairs, and parts of washing machines, stop signs and even 1 entire screen patio this past year from one of these lakes/streams. All I have for aiding me with this matter was a large tree, a pulley and some rope. (Thank goodness for trees!) . I was wondering why the fish and wild life don’t do this. (Clean lakes and streams after storms) I have never seen then do it and I have been working with my two employers since 2000. (Both live in nearby communities in Boca. ) Only one in a blue moon does those in the association surrounded areas really get done but can take up to 4 years if you leave it up to them. I just don’t depend on them to do anything. I am getting ready to relocate because and hope the community as well as fish and wildlife conservation would become more active in dragging lakes and streams in Florida saving numerous fish species. I constantly find myself scooping out algae from the lake/stream neared to one employer almost every week at least.
    These bodies of water consisting of lakes/stream are filled with lovely fish such as Large mouth Bass, Peacock Bass, White Bass, Bluegill, Minnow, Parrot fish, spotted flat fish, eels, fresh water mullet, black, bull headed and spotted blue cat fish, fresh water doctor fish, pike, exotic fish some species of musky an other pan fish and trout, and Alligators as well, where I work in Boca Raton Fl.
    I am concerned because after the last storm lots of debris has entered these bodies of water and no one is cleaning them ad also because landscapers are cutting lawns and not recycling the grass, for compost reasons. (Great hummus). Instead landscapers are allowing the large amounts of grass to get into the lake/streams, which is causing significant algae, build up which can harm the fish. People from all walks of life enjoy these bodies of water.
    I just spoke to Fish wild life of PBC and the curator assured me there is nothing illegal about what I suggested and also stated you may use any natural agent such as a plants etc to treat issues such as these on you own if your in the location of private water bodies or you can call in a Professional applicators who holds a permit for chemical agents to treat the issues but it could turn out expensive. However, suggested to talk to the home owners association who may Hire someone to come out to lakes community and address specific problems. However, that takes too long! Once a year just is not enough. This is the reason I posted the issue on yahoo to begin with seeking help from the community as there a people out there who just knows thing not written in books!:). Fishermen just can’t depend on associations. Especially those who depend on the land and natural resources for survival. I just have to find a natural remedy to these issues naturally(no license needed) Any Idea people?

    • ANSWER:

42. QUESTION:
    **Gingivitis Questions ?**?
    I have a couple questions about gingivtis:

    - I just turned 13 and my dentist told me I have gingivitis. Is that normal for people my age ? Because I always thought it was what old people get, lol. !
    - How can I get rid of my gingivitis? I brush twice a day, and floss once a day. Is there anything else that I could do to treat it ?
    - How long will it take to get rid of my gingivitis, if I’m just brushing and flossing daily ?

    Please reply !

    • ANSWER:

43. QUESTION:
    14 and have Gingivitis dentist said so !?
    I have had gum problems for years I have gingivitis ( ill call it GIN ) well what can I do to cure ? the dentist said come back in 6 month for more cleaning it hurt a little bit ( I had a cleaning today ) anyway How can I treat it ? and what can GIN do ? like worse case seno ? TY !!!
    and when I floss they bleed !

    • ANSWER:
      First of all, Gingivitis is best treated now, before it turns into gum disease.

      Gingivitis can cause swelling and bleeding of the gums. It can also cause your gums to recede and it can cause you to have chronic bad breath. Also, in the later years (generally, you won’t get it until your around 20).

      Not to worry though, just go get your teeth cleaned by your dentist, and be sure yo brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, a be sure to do the same with flossing! After you do this (with the cleaning already done), one to two weeks later, your gum swelling and gingivitis should get better.

      The worst case scenario? Like I said, gum disease, but this normally only occurs in people older than 20, unless in extreme cases.

44. QUESTION:
    My gums are swollen, & after checking on webmd.com it appears that I have the early signs of gingivitis?
    this has never happened to me before and I am very worried. I can’t get to the dentist right away because of the hours I work. I do brush my teeth everyday, so I don’t know what to make of it. Has this ever happened to you, or do you know how they treat this? Help!

    • ANSWER:
      Ask your doctor about it as soon as you can. It may or may not be gingivitis, but you have to be sure to protect not only your dental health but also your overall health as well. Know that gingivitis can get complications. Try http://www.oramd.com/gingivitis-home-remedies.htm for some cures, and keep track of your dental health.

45. QUESTION:
    Gingivitis Help?
    I had a fever. my braces cut the inside of my cheek without me noticing it, so i couldn’t really open my mouth big. As i was brushing my teeth, I noticed that my gums were redder(which was wierd because i always take good care of them. except the past 4 days that i’ve been sick) When i was brushing, my gums starting bleeding and were really puffy. I started panicking. this has never happened before. and now after research, i figured it was gingivitis that formed from my fever that made my mouth warm and populated bacteria. but now, I need to know how to treat it. I’m really scared. nothing like this has happened before. Any ideas on how to treat it without making an emergency trip to the dentist?

    • ANSWER:
      Gingivitis is a leading contributor of halitosis, and by eliminating the bacteria in your mouth that causes gingivitis and periodontal disease, you can stop halitosis too. OraMD is a natural product and an outstanding solution for gum disease, gingivitis and bleeding gums as it actively eliminates the problem bacteria that cause plaque buildup and it also gives way to a fresher and healthier mouth.

      Source: http://www.themouthdoctor.co.uk/

46. QUESTION:
    Dental questions: gingivitis and wisdom teeth?
    Okay well I went to the dentist today and the assistant was cleaning my teeth and said I had “gingivitis”. Yes I’ve heard of it but what is it and how do I treat this???
    also,
    The dentist said I would have my wisdom teeth in in about 2.5-3 years. I’m only 14!!! But my dad got his very early too. EEK! But I looked at an x ray they took of my mouth and all my wisdom look perfectly straight? None of them are sideways or whacky. And I looked in the way back of my mouth and it seems like their is PLENTY of room. I’ve got kind of a big mouth and jaw. But my question is: I won’t need to have them removed if their perfectly okay will I? I mean I know most people do, but that’s only if they are messed and crooked right?

    thanks in advance to anybody who knows anything about my questions

    • ANSWER:
      Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue (due to build up of plaque). If the gingivitis isn’t taken care of it can turn into periodontitis (this is bad and can cause premature tooth loss). You will need to up your oral hygiene to take care of this. Your Dentist/Hygienist should have really advised you on how to clean your teeth from now on! Anyway, the best thing to do is brush at least twice a day (I also recommend you buy an electric toothbrush as they are good at cleaning better than manual toothbrushes), also FLOSS! Flossing is VERY important to everyone, but even more so if you have gingivitis! You need to floss at least once a day. The reason your gums are upset and you have gingivitis is because you have plaque and bacteria just below the gum line that isn’t getting removed, this can only be removed by flossing… brushing alone wont work.

      Remember, floss!!!

      With regards to your wisdom teeth, there is nothing to be worried about. If they come through straight and with enough room, you will likely keep them and not have them removed. Mine were impacted/growing crooked so I had 3 of them removed, I have one left under the gum, but on the x-ray it is growing sideways and because I am soon to have a brace I will have to have that wisdom tooth removed too.

47. QUESTION:
    How to treath gingivitis???
    I figured out I have gingivitis, and it’s been giving me a lot of stress.
    I’m really scared that it might cause tooth loss and because of stressing, I couldn’t go to sleep last night.
    Is gingivitis bad??
    Can it get better by just brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash??
    I also have a permanent retainer behind my lower teeth, is that okay??
    Do I need to be stressed out??
    I think my dentist appointment is next month, and I don’t think I can wait then.
    It’s really making me scared and worried.
    My gums are a little receding, swollen, and red, and my bottom teeth are itching.
    Can I treat it fast???
    I’m really scared….

    • ANSWER:
      using hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of water to swish will help, and what i would suggest instead of flossing is a waterpik water pressure flosser. You can get one for about , and they work 3x better than regular flossing, it’s faster and easier, and with a permanent retainer (i have one too, this is why i got a waterpik), this makes flossing SOOO much easier! Plus you can add the peroxide to your waterpik and really get it into your gums to get rid of the bacteria.

      Keep doing that along with regular brushing and within a week or two your gums will start to get healthier, but you should really keep it up constantly and you should be rid of gingivitis permanently.

      Gingivitis isn’t a huge deal right now. If you never did anything about it for a long time then you might want to stress. But as long as you start a good gum cleaning regimen now, you’ll be fine.

48. QUESTION:
    How can I treat gum disease?
    Well, I know I have gingivitis like a month ago, and yes, I went to the dentist… He said that it doesn’t look that bad, all I need is a cleaning… (I was thinking deep clean or normal clean?) But when they do it, I don’t even see that they touch my swallow part… They only do the other places, which is really odds. And now 2 week later, the red part haven’t heal yet. Even when I floss everyday, brush my teeth and used Listerine twice a day, also salt water…

    And I TOTALLY can able to see that my teeth are a little bit longer, and the lines between my gum and teeth. I told my mom and she was like, we already went to a doctor, cost too much… Stop worry about it…
    I told her, how can I not worry about it, when my teeth are longer and I can see a big whole between 2 of my teeth. My mom is too cheap, help!

    How can I treat this at home? My mom keep saying it looks fine even though I show her all the things that are different. how can I tell my mom, so she can take me to a dentist? But right now, what can I do, is there any product that treat gum disease out there?

    • ANSWER:
      BRUSH AT LEAST TWICE A DAY AND USE A WATERPIK DAILY

49. QUESTION:
    Ways to treat periodontal disease, without going to the dentist?
    I think I have periodontal disease because i’ve had gingivitis and my gums have gotten more soft. I used to drink alot of sugar drinks, so I have cut them down nowadays, so my teeth feel a little better. I have also began to eat more apples regularly.

    Yet, I don’t think I have enough money for the dentist.

    I want to know if theres ways to treat this at home, and somehow make it better without spending money at dentist???

    I hear from various people that it is possible, so i want to know how.

    Please help…thanks.
    Well, my symptoms are that my gums on my top and bottom teeth are reddish, soft and sort of puffy. Sometimes when I eat I feel like a tooth has moved or feel loose. However, when I drink less sugarly drinks, my gums feel a little better.
    well, mostly my front and bottom gums feel soft and I feel like the gums make my teeth feel loose…

    • ANSWER:

50. QUESTION:
    A Gingivitis Question?
    Well I’m 15 and I guess I’ve had it for a while now. My teeth are pretty loose but I don’t know how to treat it? I don’t really want to go to the dentist and have them treat it. Is there something I can buy that will make my teeth normal again?

    • ANSWER:
      No. If they’re permanent teeth and loose you have problems that only a dentist can solve.

      In the meantime you might want to mix some hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a paste and start brushing your gums with it once a day.
      Both are cheap and obtainable at any drug store.