Signs Of Gingivitis

The problems of receding gums can happen gradually until symptoms and dental problems require therapeutic treatment. Commonly occurring in adults over the age of 40, untreated problems of dental health become progressively worse. Most treatment is sought out to counteract the effects to exposed roots of teeth caused by gum tissue loss. Recession of tissue does affects one’s appearance and overall health.

There are numerous factors which lead to the underlying and treatable problems of gum recession. Overaggressive and/or inadequate brushing of teeth combined with excessive/or improper flossing technique can be culprits for eroding tissue. Persons affected by the onset of periodontal disease and various heredity factors will experience tissue loss. Other kinds of behaviors such as eating disorders, extended oral tobacco use, as well as jewelry piercings on the lip or tongue can contribute to the loss of gum tissues.

Painful teeth are an early sign of unhealthy receding gums. Most often, pain and teeth contribute to the problems and symptoms of living with gingivitis. In addition to pain, visible signs of gingivitis are the appearance of red and puffy or swollen gums. A physical symptom of damaged tissues from gingivitis infection occurs daily with bleeding during brushing and flossing routines. Treating gingivitis may improve the health of your mouth.

Tooth pain in women can be caused hormonal changes. In the natural cycles of life, the body produces chemicals as it moves through stages of maturity. These natural chemicals can cause changes in the mouth and creates unexpected tooth pain in the maturation process. Fluctuations of increasing and decreasing hormones during stages of puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can cause episodes of minor pain and discomfort.

If a person regularly experiences regular sensitive tooth pain, tooth roots may be the problem. As we enjoy daily meals, teeth may become affected by exposure to temperature, sugar or acidity. Delicate roots can create undesirable reactions when exposed to hot, cold, spicy, sweet or sour foods.

Tooth sensitivity most often occurs when discomfort is experienced in the nerve endings of one’s teeth. Pain triggers may cause sensations of a sharp and intense feeling throughout the affected tooth. Irritated nerves may produce constant or intermittent cycles of sudden and shooting pain located deep inside the painful tooth.

Sensitive teeth occur when underlying layers of the gum tissue, which acts like a covering blanket, becomes exposed. The tooth roots are vulnerable beneath enamel and repeatedly experiences many environmental and dietary elements daily. Effective tooth brushing and flossing techniques help retain viable gum tissue. Healthy tissues work as a barrier to protect roots and teeth.

Receding gums and teeth sensitive to many conditions can develop from the accumulation of bacteria. Unhealthy gums create pockets for bacteria to form between the teeth and tissues. Combinations of bacteria and overaggressive brushing will contribute to further erosion. Inadequate flossing with excess force will also develop sensitivity and tissue damage. A daily brushing routine and flossing will remove the particles from being lodged and bring relief from unsuccessful dental hygiene.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
What are the signs that gingivitis has become severe?
What are the signs that a case of gingivitis has gone from a moderate case to a severe case?
If I could find it on Google I wouldn’t have asked. Also, I can’t get to a dentist right now. It’s not for me, so I’m not going to try and find one at 4AM in a state I don’t live in.
- ANSWER:
  There are several signs but you don’t necessarily have to have all the signs:
  1. Spontaneous bleeding or upon touch.
  2. Loss of the knife edge appearance of the interdental papllae (the triangular gum tissue between the teeth) & the gums become more retracted.
  3. Loss of the gum contour & festooning as it becomes mor swollen & flat.
  4. Loss of stippling (Normally, the gums texture is like the orange peel appearance which is lost due to inflammation)
  5. Bad taste & foul odour.
  6. Sometimes the color of the gums become redder.
  7. Due to severe inflammation, the teeth might feel a bit mobile.
QUESTION:
Would it be possible to get a gap closed in my bottom front teeth even if I have signs of gingivitis?
Going to the dentist soon and I want the gap between my two bottom front teeth closed, but I have some signs of gingivitis that I intend to get treated. Would it be possible for him to close the gap (using whatever method available) if I have that?
- ANSWER:
  Hello…Ok let me state my answer this way…Would you ask a doctor to perform a face lift if you had a serious infection that covered at least one cheek?…Of course you wouldn’t, you would first deal with the infection so as to make sure the face lift didn’t turn out bad when you did get it done…You need to first get the gum issue taken care of before you attempt to get the gap closed between the teeth…You don’t want to risk getting the gap closed and then lose some of the teeth due to gum infection you ignored. Good luck and I wish you well.
  The Denture Pro.
QUESTION:
What are the first signs of gingivitis?
I already know your gums bleed and my do and my mouth has these gum boils in them really stings when i brush them and my gums are really red.
I am going to see the dentist as soon as i can.
Patrick M. I do not have bad breath my advice to you is to keep your rude comments to yourself.
- ANSWER:
  Might I suggest a much needed dental visit? It may be wise before it worsens.
QUESTION:
What are the signs of gingivitis and if you have it how do you get rid of it?
- ANSWER:
  Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis are:
  Swelling, redness, pain, and bleeding of the gums are signs of gingivitis.
  The breath begins to take on a foul odor.
  The gums begin to lose their normal structure and color. The gums, which were once strong and pink, begin to recede and take on a beefy red, inflamed color.
  Inflammation—a complex system by which bacteria-fighting cells of the body are recruited to an area of bacterial infection—plays a major role in gingivitis. It is this inflammation of the gums that accounts for most of the symptoms of gingivitis.
  When bacteria first begin to invade the gums, proteins present in the saliva and soft tissues called antibodies coat the bacteria and weaken it making it an easy target for the body’s immune system. The cells that encounter the bacteria first attempt to kill it and, in the mean time, release chemicals into the bloodstream to call other cells to their aid.
  One particular cell called a macrophage is responsible for ingesting the bacteria and dissolving it with chemicals. This system works nicely, but it is not terribly efficient. While the invading bacteria are destroyed, chemicals used by the immune system cells to kill them are spilled into the surrounding tissues. This not only kills the bacteria but damages the nearby connective tissues and cells of the gums as well.
  The body sees this inflammation as a small price to pay for stopping the bacteria. This process will continue until the source of the infection is removed.
  
  The best home care for gingivitis is prevention.
  
  Regular dental visits to remove plaque build-up are necessary to combat gingivitis.
  Once a dentist removes plaque, regular brushing and flossing will minimize plaque formation. Even with good dental hygiene, plaque will begin to accumulate again.
  
  When to call the Doctor:
  For simple gingivitis, work with your dentist. A concerted effort between good home dental hygiene and regular dental visits should be all that is required to treat and prevent gingivitis. If gingivitis continues despite the effort to prevent it, contact your doctor to investigate the possibility of an underlying illness.
QUESTION:
my gum bleed ever-time i brush but the is no inflammation or signs of Gingivitis and Periodontitis.?
anyone tell me how to cure this
any other symptoms i should look out for?
- ANSWER:
  Bleeding gums is in itself a sign of gum disease….Just because there is no inflammation doesn’t mean everything is good. Get a professional cleaning and let them inspect for disease.
  
  **What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
  Gum disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease.
  
  The symptoms of gum disease include:
  
  Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
  Red, swollen, or tender gums
  Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
  Receding gums
  Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
  Loose or shifting teeth
  Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures.
  
  Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. In some people, gum disease may affect only certain teeth, such as the molars. Only a dentist or a periodontist can recognize and determine the progression of gum disease.
QUESTION:
How do I get rid of the signs of gingivitis?
- ANSWER:
  brush your teeth go to the dentist and keep good care of yourself =)
QUESTION:
Gingivitis?
The last time I went to the dentist, they told me that I was beginning to have signs of gingivitis. I always brush twice a day and use mouthwash usually once a day. They told me not flossing was the problem. I’m a little worried because I’m going back to see the dentist on Thursday and I don’t want to go in there and get yelled at again. I’ve been flossing whenever I remember (it’s hard to remember when you haven’t been brought up with that habit), but I’d kind of like to be prepared for an angry lecture or not. My gums don’t bleed when I floss anymore. The only symptoms I had last time was bleeding when flossing. Can anyone give any other symptoms or suggestions for making sure I don’t have gingivitis? I’ve looked at pictures, but all I’ve really been able to find is very badly onset gingivitis, which doesn’t help except to terrify me. The area where the gums cover my teeth is a lighter shade of pink than the area that surrounds that area… is that bad?
I think I saw the dentist six months ago… should the gingivitis have gone away since then?

…and the dentist didn’t “yell” yell at me…it was mainly the dental assistant… and she acted as though I didn’t deserve to have teeth.
- ANSWER:
  Years ago, when they used to sell horses, they’d look at their teeth to see how healthy they were, hence the saying “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”. One can tell a person’s overall health by what goes on in the mouth.
  
  That being said, you can ask yourself what your diet is like? Is it rich in vitamin C? How about other valuable nutrients? You need to take in healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. I get this feeling you may be going too high on the sugars and other artificial stuff, and poor food choices.
  
  Eating healthy may not totally cure your gingivitis, but I bet it would reduce it considering that bacteria seems to thrive where there is a poor diet, and a better diet will build up your body enough to fight it off.
QUESTION:
what is gingivitis? signs of it and what does it look like????? HELP PLEASE??!?
- ANSWER:
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.
QUESTION:
infected wisdom teeth extracted 3 days ago now suddenly showing signs of gingivitis?
I’m desperate for a peace of mind! I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted on Saturday morning. I suffered excruciating pain from thurs-sat and knew there was an infection when i started developing lesions on my hard palate on the left side and lesions on my tongue. The top and bottom left wisdom teeth were infected, however both top ones were partially emerged and both bottom ones were fully covered by jawbone so they decided to remove all four at once. Needless to say i am significantly swollen and bruised, more so on the infected side. I am taking penicillin but seeing NO improvement in the infection. The flap of gum that was previously covering my lower left wisdom tooth is now covering my lower left molar. The lesion on the palate is painful as ever, extending from the empty area where the wisdom tooth once sat to the tooth second to my front! I am continuing to develop painful lesions on my tongue. And NOW, I have suddenly developed gingivitis/peritonitis symptoms! Painful to brush my teeth/gums, super swollen gums over alll my teeth, bleeding when i brush any teeth/gums (though i fight through the pain and still do, hoping the good hygiene will be worth the pain). DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THIS COULD BE A RESULT OF? please, please,help..

p.s: i am taking tylenol w/ codeine 3 for pain, ibuprofen for inflammation, penicillin for infection.
also rinsing A LOT with water and table salt and also a sage/sea salt home remedy mixture. also topical arnica for the severe bruising. this has been a NIGHTMARE
- ANSWER:
QUESTION:
Cure gingivitis without seeing dentist?
Today I woke up and my gums ACHED. I decided to let it go, but after school I looked in the mirror. My lower gums were swollen and red. When I brushed my teeth the bled. I researched signs of gingivitis and it all matched up. Is there anyway I can get rid of this gingivitis without consulting my dentist? Thank you!
- ANSWER:
  you need scaling and u must see a dentist for that.
  but if u dont then do the followings:
  - rinse your mouth with a mouth wash which contains povidon iodin
  - take a medicine: tab. metronidazole 200 mg (2wice a day)
QUESTION:
Do you still have gingivitis even if your teeth doesn’t bleed?
Swelling, redness, pain, and bleeding are signs of gingivitis, but what if it doesn’t bleed…Does it still count as gingivitis?

Plus, my bottom teeth are shifting a bit… and they are extremly sensitive…

Is there anyway of fixing all the problems without going to a dentist. I don’t have insurance so, sadly i don’t go to the dentist.
- ANSWER:
  If you floss and have any blood when you spit in the sink you have gingivitis. The more bleeding the worse the case of gingivitis is. The best home care in the world can not compete with what the hygienists do, the person that cleans your teeth. If you want to save your teeth into your old age then preventive care is much cheaper in the long run.
QUESTION:
What is gingivitis/what are the signs of it?
- ANSWER:
  Gingivitis is inflammation or swelling of the gums.
  
  Some signs include:
  *Mouth sores
  *Bleeding gums (when you brush or floss)
  *Gums turn a bright-red or purple-ish red color
QUESTION:
I’ve sticky & dry feeling on upper lip soon after bushing. Is this a pre-sign of gingivitis or plague ?
Although I brush my teeth 2 to 3 times a day and floss once every evening, I’ve sticky and dry feeling around upper lip soon after bushing. Is this a pre-sign of gingivitis or plague bulit-up? Will vigorous brushing and flossing caused more plague? Is deficiency in calcium leads to gingivitis? I saw a new product for gum with baking soda in the store the other day. The price is 3 to 4 times our normal toothpaste. What’s baking soda? Is this product good for those who had gingivitis and sensitive teeth? I don’t remember the brand, but starting with “S… “. How can I use it?? Any side effect? Can it be used in lieu of our regular toothpaste. Can it prevent cavity, remove plague, and protect our gum??

Can anyone pls advise and recommend. Thank you very much.
- ANSWER:
  That ‘stickiness’ you are feeling is because you are probably both brushing your teeth for too long, and it could also be from ANYTHING that you take into your body (eat, drink, and ‘brushing’) … it’s a ‘sign’ that there is ‘something wrong’ but not necessarily a sign of ‘gingivitis’ or ‘plaque.’ Plaque is formed from the ‘tiny bits of food you eat’ that break up and don’t get swallowed … they ‘stick to your teeth’ and can form a ‘cementlike barrier’ that germs can get into … while ‘gingivitis’ is a ‘disease’ that you can get when your ‘immune system’ is ‘down’ (low) and your gums BLEED, turn lighter, and ‘recede from the teeth’ … and both can be ‘cured’ if you have a good dentist. Baking soda is actually in most of the ‘tootpastes’ sold today, but you can’t ‘taste it’ because it tastes ‘salty’ and not ‘clean’ (which is why most toothpaste is ‘minty’) … and if you are truly ‘worried’ about this ‘sticky and dry’ feeling you have after brushing, you should try brushing with JUST ‘baking soda’ and water for awhile (not a paste … just dip your brush into some water and then ‘dab it’ onto some of the ‘baking soda powder’ from the kitchen. Rinse your mouth REALLY WELL after you brush with plain cool (not COLD) water at least ‘four times’ and don’t ‘swallow’ when you are brushing/rinsing … and if your mouth still has that ‘sticky, dry’ feeling you might want to see your dentist and tell him/her EVERYTHING that you eat and drink or ‘take’ every day … because that ‘sticky feeling’ is probably coming from some ‘other source’ and the only way to ‘identify that’ is by ‘consulting’ with a professional.
QUESTION:
Gingivitis????…. help?
ok well idk i think i have very early signs of gingivitis… ok well first off my gums are pink and healthy but they look like they have receded some… and my gums bleed only when i floss.. i do have alot of tatar on only my front four bottom teeth (like tatar thats noticable) my mouth never hurts and my breath is starting to stink a lil… whats up? any home remedies for this? help thanks
- ANSWER:
  Time for a cleaning? Pink is a healthy gum color. Need to floss more to help get rid of the tarter build-up and the bleeding will stop.
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.
QUESTION:
Gingivitis help please!!!?
I want to know, say you have gingivitis, so you go to your dentist regularly to get it all taken it out. when all signs of gingivitis is gone, do you still have to go to the dentist often or do you just take good care of your teeth at home (brushing,flossing,mouth wash, etc.) and go back to having your normal once a year check up with your dentist again?
- ANSWER:
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.
QUESTION:
how can i protect my gums from worsening gingivitis?
i haven’t been taking the best care of my teeth recently. though i still have no cavities, my gums are extremely sensitive and bleed any time i brush vigorously or floss or even poke them with a hint of pressure. my dentist says that i’m showing early signs of gingivitis but doesn’t seem very concerned about it. they just tell me “make sure you’re brushing and flossing everyday!” and i want to do that because i want to change this but every time i try to go gangbusters on my mouth, there’s so much blood. what can i do to be more gentle on my mouth but see the results i need to keep my gums healthy?
- ANSWER:
  Flossing is the key. It may bleed a lot at first but it will get better with time. The more you floss the less it will bleed. Floss gently but thoroughly, to the gum and scrape the sides of the teeth, don’t just put the floss in and out real quick. Its just going to take some extra time and patience, its worth it though.
QUESTION:
Are bleeding gums really a sign of Gingivitis?
I know that bleeding gums are a sign of Gingivitis.
But, are there any other things it could related to?
Because my gums have been bleeding for quite a while now.
I don’t know why it happens, but it’s usually when I brush my teeth or when there is pressure on the gum.
Even a small push on the gum will make it bleed.
I’ve done regular visits to the dentist, but he has not mentioned anything about it.
If at all possible, could someone please tell me if this is serious and what I should do?
No, I am not currently pregnant.
And what if I don’t have any floss to use?
- ANSWER:
  If you’re pregnant it could be the reason why this is going on. I had “pregnancy gingivitis” with both my pregnancies… I did go into the dentist to get it checked out and it seemed that a really good cleaning seemed to clear it up some but it completely went away after I gave birth.
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!
QUESTION:
Gingivitis/Teeth Whitening questions?
My teeth are really yellow. I have braces; but I DO brush my teeth THREE times everyday. What can I do to whiten my teeth?

My teeth bleed a LOT. If I barely touch them they start bleeding. My gums and teeth are always sore and everything in my mouth hurts. This went on before I got my braces. Is this a sign of gingivitis? If not, what is this/what can I do to get rid of it?
- ANSWER:
  Start taking cod liver oil – it really helps your teeth. I was taking it after surgery (it’s supposed to help you heal faster) and my dentist was really happy with my gums – she said that cod liver oil is really great for your gums.
  
  As for the tenderness/ bleeding – you’ve got braces. They hurt (a lot sometimes!). Try not to over-brush (that’ll make the gums more sensitive) and try Sensodyne with Whitening. It takes a while, but you’ll start to see a difference.
QUESTION:
How do you get rid of Gingivitis with out seeing a dental hygienest?
These recent 2 weeks I have been having pain in my upper and lower gums on the right side of my mouth, it’s not the whole gum line though, only the top cainine and the bottom one, I noticed that my gum line on the top and bottom tooth was lower than the gum line on the top and bottom tooth on the left side, so my gums were receding. I saw this as a sign of Gingivitis, I asked my mom about it and she said to increase my brushing, so I made sure that I didn’t ever forget to brush my teeth at night and i’d brush after lunch as well, following my brushing i’d flush my mouth out with mouth wash. Now the bottom cainine has stopped hurting and bleeding and the top doesn’t bleed anymore either, but it still hurts. Currently both of my top cainines are swelling and hurting, right side and left side, it also looks like part of the gum around the tooth is raw, gum lines on are still continuing to recede on both sides, but they no longer bleed. So is there a way i can kill it with out a dentist?
- ANSWER:
  First of all- you must floss your teeth twice a day- Everyday! And brush twice a day or more. Then, buy some Colgate Peroxyl Mouthwash and after brushing and flossing rinse your mouth with this excellent mouthwash. It contains peroxide and will kill bacteria. Do this every day and I’m sure you’ll see an improvement. And Don’t forget to brush you tongue- lots of bacteria collect there!
QUESTION:
My 5 year old seems to have “loose” gums. Is this normal?
Her teeth are not loose, her gums are not puffy, bleeding, or exhibiting any signs of gingivitis. They appear normal and healthy visually. They just seem to move around very easily when they are touched. She sometimes complains they hurt. We do not have dental insurance so I cant easily take her to the dentist, but I will if its a real problem. Any input?
- ANSWER:
  If the teeth are firmly seated, and the gums appear visually healthy, any normal person would assume they’re healthy.
  
  The fact that they’re soft is not a good sign, but it’s far too difficult to know what it might signal without a chance to examine her.
  
  The problem is, she says they hurt. “Gums” are not a common thing for a 5-year old to complain about, so you should be concerned. Pain is the most significant symptom in this case, so I’d suggest you try, at the very least, to get a basic dental examination done. They may or may not suggest any kind of treatment, but that way you will know if it is serious. If it’s minor, you won’t pay anything more than the exam fee. If it’s something that needs attention, you’ll be glad you got it checked.
  
  She needs to get many a few more years out of those teeth, and a lot more out of her gums and jaw.
  
  PS – you might be avoiding taking her to the dentist because your somewhat worried about what it could cost if something’s wrong. You should get over this. It’s like someone who doesn’t want to take their car to a mechanic – they might find something broken that needs fixing, which will cost money. So, they leave the probem, and in the end they need to spend 20 times as much to replace the whole engine.
QUESTION:
Teeth pain when drinking cold water?
There is pain on one side of upper and lower teeth when cold water is being drunk. There is no lack of hygienic care of teeth like brushing twice daily. I don’t think it is a sign of gingivitis. What could be the problem? Greatly appreciate if you could advice.
- ANSWER:
  Everyone’s teeth are sensitive to a certain extent. I don’t think you should be worried. Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth is great advice. If this continues for at least a week, consider this:
  
  Usually tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity) presents as temporary tooth discomfort or pain after eating cold food, drinking cold liquids, or breathing cold air. ( If the pain is very high in intensity and prolonged, see your dentist because this may be a sign of an unhealthy tooth nerve )The key to preventing tooth sensitivity is to keep the gums from receding. Reducing the pressure we use to brush our teeth helps tremendously. The problem with this is that our tooth brushing is an unconsciously ingrained habit reinforced after decades of brushing and therefore nearly impossible to change. I advise people to use an advanced electric toothbrushes (plaque remover) like the Braun 3D Excel or Sonicare. These toothbrushes feature pressure sensors that stop the brush when you apply too much pressure
QUESTION:
if your gums are swollen and bleeding…is this a sign of “gingivitis”?
what is “gingivitas” and how common is it?

what causes it?

and how do you fix it?

does mouthwash help a lot?

what causes it?

please explain

thanks for your answers!
- ANSWER:
  Gingivitis is “inflammation of the ginigival tissue” (ginigival tissue is your gums)
  
  It is very common
  It is caused by bad oral hygiene (not brushing properly or enough and not flossing daily)
  You fix it by having a professional cleaning and keeping up with your home care of brushing after meals, and at bedtime, and flossing at least once a day.
  Mouthwash helps very little and is not necessary if you brush and floss regularly. Mouthwash can actually be drying, and when your mouth is dry, you tend to have more problems with both decay and gingivitis
  
  Once gingivitis advances to periodontal decease, it is irreversible and a person starts losing bone, then teeth.
  
  Hope this helps you
QUESTION:
How Long Does It Take….?
How long does it take to get rid of gingivitis? My dentist told me I have signs of gingivitis starting, because when he was picking at my teeth they started to bleed a bit. Anyways, I need to get braces and he told me they wont do it till the gingivitis is gone. So I am wondering how to get rid of it (what to do and what to use, how often) and how long should it take? Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  I had that too when I was about 13.
  
  What you do is brush 3 times a day, floss 2 times a day and use mouth wash once a day.
  
  Do this for 1 month and I pretty much guarantee that it’ll be gone.
QUESTION:
Do I need to get fluoride?
I’m 23 and my dentist said I needed fluoride. My insurance doesn’t cover fluoride over the age of 15. The cost would be .

My teeth are not amazing but they are not terrible. I do not floss (out of laziness) and was told I have minor signs of gingivitis. I have never had a cavity and never needed other dental work.

Should I get fluoride or is it pretty much worthless at my age?
- ANSWER:
  FYI,
  at 23 you get all the fluoride your body needs from municipal water and toothpaste.
QUESTION:
Any tips or warning signs with very sensitive gums?
Even brushing my teeth lately causes the gums near my front teeth to bleed. Is this a warning of gingivitis (sp?)? Any tips on getting this to stop?
- ANSWER:
  Floss and mouthwash daily , along with brushing. If it doesn’t stop in a week or so, see a dentist
QUESTION:
The gums on both sides of my canine teeth hurt when I brush them?
The gums just above my upper canine teeth hurt pretty bad when I brush them, and they tend to bleed – is this a sign of gingivitis and what can I do?
- ANSWER:
  Bleeding is a bad sign. See a dentist.
QUESTION:
is gingivitis a first sign of tooth decay?
- ANSWER:
  Nope. It’s a sign of gum disease. This can lead to tooth decay but not necessarily. In principle if you have bad enough gum disease your teeth could fall out even if they were completely healthy. Don’t panic. This would take a long time. It’s important to floss regularly, but if you think you have gingivitis you should see your dentist.
QUESTION:
What type of disease is this?
Small wound in gums.
Is this a sign of gingivitis? And what are the best cures for this kind of disease? Thanks in advance
- ANSWER:
  If you don’t remember injuring your gums, then yes. This could be gum disease. Best thing to do is get it check out by your dentist as soon as you can.:)
QUESTION:
Would really like to know ?
I’m 14 and have a big fear about the dentist. In my last appointment my dentist said she would take one of my baby teeth out and told me i had some signs of gingivitis. So i was just wondering if the gingivitis could be fixed and over how long it would take on average ? And any tips on trying to calm myself down a little bit before my appointment ?
- ANSWER:
QUESTION:
my bottom teeth are a bit loose?
i have no clue why, but when i take my fingers and wiggle my bottom teeth they’re a tiny bit shaky

NOT alot, but i can feel that they are loose…

how can i treat this without spending a ton of money? is this a sign of gingivitis?

thats not likely because only my bottom teeth are loose

is it because i brush to hard? or maybe because i chew food to hard?
- ANSWER:
  You are past gingivitis, you have periodontal disease. You need to see a periodontist right away because you are experiencing bone loss. You can have localized periodontal disease so don’t discount that it’s only the bottom teeth. It can be reversed, but don’t wait too long to act.
QUESTION:
Why do my bottom gums hurt?
Last week I went to the dentist and got my teeth cleaned.
Now whenever I brush my bottom teeth my gums feel sore and swollen.
I know it’s a sign of gingivitis, but they didn’t hurt like this before the dentist.
Why do they hurt and how long is this going to last?
- ANSWER:
  Gingivitis usually seems like it gets worse before it gets better. When your gums are swollen and infected, brushing and flossing can cause them to bleed and feel sore. This can last for a while until your gums completely heal. If you are not consistent with regular brushing and flossing you will never get to that point and it may always be irritating the few times you do manage to brush. Be sure to be consistent and not brush your gums too hard. You can also try warm salt water rinses to help speed up the process.
QUESTION:
Gingivitis and heart?
Is it true that gingivitis is a sign of heart problems?
- ANSWER:
  Poor dental health i.e. periodontal disease causes plaque in the blood stream. Plaque in the bloodstream, or narrowing of the arteries, causes heart disease.
QUESTION:
swollen gums question?
i had a dentist appt. for a cleaning today. i brush them three times a day and there are no signs or tartar or gingivitis or anything like that. the appointment was about 8 hours ago and i haven’t brushed my teeth since, because i haven’t gotten ready for bed yet and i was at work, but about half an hour ago my bottom right gums became swollen and are kind of bleeding a tiny bit. like i said, no signs of gingivitis or anything, and it isn’t irritated from brushing since i haven’t done it yet. what could be wrong?
it’s also painful.
- ANSWER:
  It sounds like they cleaned a bit deep and there is just some gum irritation. Rinse your mouth with salt water tonight and a few times tomorrow. If the pain or swelling is intense, contact your dentist.
QUESTION:
receding gumline?
the hygienist at the dentist said i had gingivitis and practically scraped my gums off. i worked very hard to get rid of it, and noticed that on one of my front canines, the gum was scarily low. the next day i asked my orthodontist about it, and he said it was from brushing too vigorously and that i had no signs of gingivitis. so which is it? gingivitis or tooth cleaning zeal?
- ANSWER:
  Well, brushing is of course a definite 1. When you have a hard or medium bristle tooth-brush and you brush back and forth, that irritates the gums causing them to receed. Try getting a soft bristle Oral B electronic tooth-brush. They only cost around 20 to 30 bucks. The one that spins and goes up and down. All you have to do is glide it from tooth to tooth. And you can at least stop your gums from receeding. As far as gingivitis…start flossing more. With those two things I’ve mentioned combined, you should be able to stop your gingivitis and your receeding gum line problem.
QUESTION:
How do I know if my gingivitis is gone?
I’ve been so crazy trying to get rid of it that my mouth is probably the most sanitized place in the entire world now.

It’s been a week, and my gums have stopped bleeding when I floss, but now my back gums reeeeeeeeally hurt after I floss. Like, I don’t think they’ve ever hurt this bad before after flossing.

Is this a good sign or bad sign? If its going away, when will I know its completely gone?
- ANSWER:
  Gingivitis DOES go away. It’s periodontitis that doesn’t.
  
  Bleeding is the most reliable predictor of gingivitis/periodontitis and since the bleeding has stopped, I’d say you’re well on your way. The pain should go away…you may have just inserted the floss incorrectly or done it a little too vigorously.
  
  When your gums aren’t puffy/swollen anymore and you don’t bleed at all when flossing/brushing, you should go when it’s gone.
  
  Congratulations on wanting to fix your gums!!! If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the bone support around your teeth.
  
  Keep up the good work!!!! : )
QUESTION:
what would be a good conclusion for this essay?
Without proper care of the teeth and the gingiva, periodontal disease could easily take over anyone’s mouth and could possibly mean the end to the teeth. This serious disease can be prevented or treated at an early stage by simply brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures that surround the teeth. It begins with food debris and plaque not being brushed or flossed off and they turn into bacteria that worsens and leads to puffiness in the gingiva. Plaque must be taken off the teeth by brushing and flossing twice a day to prevent infection, but it only takes 24 hours for plaque to build up again. A few things that can lower your defenses, and help cause some form of periodontal disease, are: smoking, diabetes, stress, medicine, pregnancy, puberty, AIDS, HIV, cancer, and even diet, to name a few. Soda and certain types of food can also affect the teeth.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Most people do not find out they have this condition until a dentist advises them of it. Signs of gingivitis are: red gums, inflamed gums, bleeding while brushing and/or flossing, sensitive gums, possible bad breath, or bad taste. Gingivitis can easily be treated by brushing, flossing and using a mouth wash and no real pain is usually associated with gingivitis, which means that gingivitis is easily reversible with good oral home care and professional treatment.

After gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into mild periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and finally advanced periodontitis. With time, plaque can build under the gum line and toxins can spread. The bacteria causes puffiness and redness, which is the body’s way of warning you something is wrong. Signs of these forms of periodontitis are: more pronounced bleeding, longer looking teeth, gum boils, abscesses, periodontal pockets, and mobility of the teeth. When some of these signs are reached, there might still be a chance of keeping the teeth if the person see’s a dentist as soon as possible and gets treatment, but this is when the structures that support the teeth are broken down and pretty much destroyed. After the disease is continually untreated, the teeth may become so mobile that they might have to be removed. This disease can affect anywhere from one tooth to all thirty-two teeth. After the age of 35, three out of four adults have some form of periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss.

If treatment is needed, a root planing or a scaling might be the procedures to be considered. Scaling is a procedure to remove plaque and calculus around the tooth surfaces and root planing is the smoothing of the tooth surfaces to promote re-growth and reattachment of the gingiva to the tooth.
- ANSWER:
  It is quite evident that taking good care of one’s teeth by routine brushing and flossing will prove to be beneficial to him or her in the long run. By taking pride in the teeth at an early age, tooth loss and other unpleasant, unhealthy situations of the mouth can be deterred.
QUESTION:
is this good so far for my essay? be honest please.?
Without proper care of the teeth and the gingiva, periodontal disease could easily take over anyone’s mouth and could possibly mean the end to the teeth. This serious disease can be prevented or treated at an early stage by simply brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures that surround the teeth. It begins with food debris and plaque not being brushed or flossed off and they turn into bacteria that worsens and leads to puffiness in the gingiva. Plaque must be taken off the teeth by brushing and flossing twice a day to prevent infection, but it only takes 24 hours for plaque to build up again. A few things that can lower your defenses, and help cause some form of periodontal disease, are: smoking, diabetes, stress, medicine, pregnancy, puberty, AIDS, HIV, cancer, and even diet, to name a few. Soda and certain types of food can also affect the teeth.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Most people do not find out they have this condition until a dentist advises them of it. Signs of gingivitis are: red gums, inflamed gums, bleeding while brushing and/or flossing, sensitive gums, possible bad breath, or bad taste. Gingivitis can easily be treated by brushing, flossing and using a mouth wash and no real pain is usually associated with gingivitis, which means that gingivitis is easily reversible with good oral home care and professional treatment.

After gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into mild periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and finally advanced periodontitis. With time, plaque can build under the gum line and toxins can spread. The bacteria causes puffiness and redness, which is the body’s way of warning you something is wrong. Signs of these forms of periodontitis are: more pronounced bleeding, longer looking teeth, gum boils, abscesses, periodontal pockets, and mobility of the teeth. When some of these signs are reached, there might still be a chance of keeping the teeth if the person see’s a dentist as soon as possible and gets treatment, but this is when the structures that support the teeth are broken down and pretty much destroyed. After the disease is continually untreated, the teeth may become so mobile that they might have to be removed. This disease can affect anywhere from one tooth to all thirty-two teeth. After the age of 35, three out of four adults have some form of periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss.

If treatment is needed, a root planing or a scaling might be the procedures to be considered. Scaling is a procedure to remove plaque and calculus around the tooth surfaces and root planing is the smoothing of the tooth surfaces to promote re-growth and reattachment of the gingiva to the tooth.
- ANSWER:
  Nicely done. I’m guessing you are in upper-level high school or possibly in junior college, from the quality of the writing.
  
  One suggestion, though. The expression “longer looking teeth” comes across as awkward. I’d recommend rewording the phrase.
  
  Best of luck with the remainder of the essay.
QUESTION:
good conclusion for this essay?
Without proper care of the teeth and the gingiva, periodontal disease could easily take over anyone’s mouth and could possibly mean the end to the teeth. This serious disease can be prevented or treated at an early stage by simply brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures that surround the teeth. It begins with food debris and plaque not being brushed or flossed off and they turn into bacteria that worsens and leads to puffiness in the gingiva. Plaque must be taken off the teeth by brushing and flossing twice a day to prevent infection, but it only takes 24 hours for plaque to build up again. A few things that can lower your defenses, and help cause some form of periodontal disease, are: smoking, diabetes, stress, medicine, pregnancy, puberty, AIDS, HIV, cancer, and even diet, to name a few. Soda and certain types of food can also affect the teeth.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Most people do not find out they have this condition until a dentist advises them of it. Signs of gingivitis are: red gums, inflamed gums, bleeding while brushing and/or flossing, sensitive gums, possible bad breath, or bad taste. Gingivitis can easily be treated by brushing, flossing and using a mouth wash and no real pain is usually associated with gingivitis, which means that gingivitis is easily reversible with good oral home care and professional treatment.

After gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into mild periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and finally advanced periodontitis. With time, plaque can build under the gum line and toxins can spread. The bacteria causes puffiness and redness, which is the body’s way of warning you something is wrong. Signs of these forms of periodontitis are: more pronounced bleeding, longer looking teeth, gum boils, abscesses, periodontal pockets, and mobility of the teeth. When some of these signs are reached, there might still be a chance of keeping the teeth if the person see’s a dentist as soon as possible and gets treatment, but this is when the structures that support the teeth are broken down and pretty much destroyed. After the disease is continually untreated, the teeth may become so mobile that they might have to be removed. This disease can affect anywhere from one tooth to all thirty-two teeth. After the age of 35, three out of four adults have some form of periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss.

If treatment is needed, a root planing or a scaling might be the procedures to be considered. Scaling is a procedure to remove plaque and calculus around the tooth surfaces and root planing is the smoothing of the tooth surfaces to promote re-growth and reattachment of the gingiva to the tooth.
- ANSWER:
  Gingivitis and periodontitis are potentially serious diseases that are easily preventable. Patients/students/people should be aware that these diseases could result in tooth loss. With simple dental care, including brushing and flossing regularly, periodontal disease is easily preventable, and mouths and teeth everywhere are happier.
QUESTION:
is this essay about periodontal disease good so far?
Without proper care of the teeth and the gingiva, periodontal disease could easily take over anyone’s mouth and could possibly mean the end to the teeth. This serious disease can be prevented or treated at an early stage by simply brushing and flossing.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures that surround the teeth. It begins with food debris and plaque not being brushed or flossed off and they turn into bacteria that worsens and leads to puffiness in the gingiva. Plaque must be taken off the teeth by brushing and flossing twice a day to prevent infection., but it only takes 24 hours for plaque to build up again. A few things that can lower your defenses, and help cause some form of periodontal disease, are: smoking, diabetes, stress, medicine, pregnancy, puberty, AIDS, HIV, cancer, and even diet, to name a few.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Most people do not find out they have this condition until a dentist advises them of it. Signs of gingivitis are: red gums, inflamed gums, bleeding while brushing and/or flossing, sensitive gums, possible bad breath, or bad taste. Gingivitis can easily be treated by brushing, flossing and using a mouth wash and no real pain is usually associated with gingivitis.

After gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into mild periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and finally advanced periodontitis. Signs of these forms of periodontitis are: more pronounced bleeding, longer looking teeth, gum boils, abscesses, periodontal pockets, and mobility of the teeth. When these signs are reached
After the age of 35, 3 out of 4 adults have some form of periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
- ANSWER:
  that is really really good! and scary.. i am going to brush and floss everyday now!
QUESTION:
my gums are swollen..?
part of my gums randomly swelled up about half an hour ago and they’re bleeding.
i had a cleaning at the dentist’s office today and they said there are no signs of gingivitis or tartar or anything because i take good care of my teeth.
i haven’t brushed my teeth for bed yet, so it couldn’t have been irritated by that.
any ideas? =/
my cleaning was about eight hours ago though.
so i don’t see why it would just begin to be irritated.
- ANSWER:
  Cleanings can cause gums to swell. That in itself is perfectly normal. Did the hygienist or dentist mention anything out of the ordinary for you? Did you eat something, chew gum or something to maybe further irritate an area to cause it to bleed? If so, it should only bleed a minute or so. If your mouth is tender you can take an over the counter pain reliever with anti-inflammatory properties like aleve or aspirin. Tylenol does not help w/inflammation, so it wouldn’t be a good choice in this case.
QUESTION:
My gums are receding.. HELP?!?
I live in a fairly poor family and we don’t have the money to go see a dentist. I’ve seen a couple of dentists when I was younger. The last dentist I went to say that I had the beginning signs of gingivitis.

Of course, I began flossing and brushing more so than I use too but that doesn’t seem to be helping. I’ve googled how to “grow gums back” and “how to reverse gingivitis” but those never seem to be helpful for a 13 year old girl.

My family doesn’t have the money to buy a product and/or take me to the dentist, again. So I need some kind of home remedy, etc. With products that are easy to find in a house – that a little girl could find without having to address her parents to much.

Because I know that their upset with themselves that they don’t have the money to take me.

So let’s recap. Please, don’t comment with the basic “you should go the dentist.” I can’t, my parents don’t have insurance or medical help so saying that won’t help me.

I need home remedies, etc. Below, I will let you know what I’ve already tried and am currently doing. Most of these tricks don’t seem to be helping.

1) Salt water.
2) Baking soda and peroxide.
3) Brushing gently.
4) Flossing twice a day.

None of those things are helping me. I really need some help!

Let me know if you have any trips to help my gums and make gingivitis go away, it would be very appreciated. Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  Get a paper route or something, babysit. And then buy some products that will help deal with your gums
  
  And even save up for a visit to the hygienist, or see if any relatives might be able to help you
QUESTION:
HELP! My cat won’t eat any food but his – need help!?
Hi guys, I’ve been really concerned for my cat as he’s quite the picky little one(he’s 4yrs old, we’ve had him since he was 2months, he is a Himalayan). He is currently eating Royal Canine’s ‘Persian’ dry food and I’m trying to switch him onto a vet perscription diet t/d i believe, his gums are a little inflammed and so we were told this will help prevent growth of a more serious gingivitis. SO here is my problem – maybe a year ago I found it odd that he’s tiny, for a Persian cat he is skinny – he’s not under weight, the vet said he’s just fine, but I just want him to put on maybe 1-2 more pounds so you actually feel him there, you pick him up and he is just as light as a feather(weighed in at the vet today at 4kgs, lost .2 pounds since last time) to the point where you feel bad for him, as if we’re depriving him of food or something of the sort. About a year and a half ago, I bought maybe every canned food available at our local pet store Petsmart, he wouldn’t even bother! He’d smell it, and go away, even if it was the only food I’d offer the entire day, he wouldn’t even take a lick.. Canned Tuna(for humans), cooked salmon(my lunch), he’ll sniff it – but again, he sniffs and goes away, he won’t eat it.
Why in the world won’t he eat anything but his darn RC dry food? I’m offering him TUNA and SALMON, grade A human food other cats would go insane for, and it doesn’t even phase him… =/
He didn’t touch the t/d dry food today either, if he doesn’t eat in the morning I have no choice but to give him his RC dry food as obviously, he’s tiny enough, I’m not about to push him more than a day and half of not eating anything.
I’m concerned, I’m not sure what to do – before even being told he’s showing signs of gingivitis I was planning on switching both him and my dog to a Wellnes dry food (my 12mnth old kitten passed away after surgery for an ulcer, so I’ve become paranoid and trying to give my other two animals the best I possibly can) but now I realize he probably won’t touch any darn food other than that RC which he already doesn’t eat enough of…
Has anyone had this problem and overcame it somehow? I’m running out of ideas, is there a canned food you have yet to hear a cat say no to? I mean, if im offering him tuna and cooked salmon i’m eating myself and he doesn’t want it – what are the chances of him saying okay to any food but his own? Help, please, I’m not sure if this is normal behaviour…my animals are my life and this little guy has got me so darn frustrated that I’ve even forced a piece of tuna into his mouth to have him spit it right back out! lol
The RC dry food is obviously mixed in with the new T/D dry food, I wouldn’t dare just ‘switch’ foods on him in a day, that would upset my poor little guys stomach, such a big nono, every animal owner should know this! But he won’t eat it, there’s 75% RC and 25% T/D he won’t touch it…
But is it normal that he won’t even eat tuna/salmon? Seriously?
And to the 1′st lady, thank you for your advice, but to the ppl who truely don’t see the their animals as their children, walmart and grocery food store is YUK, human dumpster food…probably even worse! Even this petstore food he has now isn’t ‘good’ thats why i was planning on switching him onto Wellness – but thank you, appreciate your response!!! =)
- ANSWER:
  Wellness would be great for them, much better than k/d. One way to prevent gingivitis is to get the cat to exercise his teeth, gums and jaws the way it’s meant to – by tearing up chinks of meat and crushing bones. Most cat’s teeth improve once they are fed either supplement or entirely raw diet www.rawfedcats.org
  
  But I understand he won’t eat anything else. Well, here is a great transition guide for kibble junkies. It will be hard to transition him, but you can make it with a lot of patience. http://www.catinfo.org/docs/TipsforTransitioningPDF12-18-09.pdf
  
  By all means I would try to get him on wet and partially raw food to improve his condition, the dry k/d won’t do anything for him. Unfortunately this whole prescription business is just a way to sell us pricey low quality junk food:-(
  
  You probably will be aware of most of what I have to say, I wouldn‘t really recommend feeding any dry food. Cats are designed to get their water from food. That’s the way nature designed them, they have low thirst drive. When fed dry, they won’t drink enough to compensate for the lack of moisture. They will only consume about 50% of the water they should be having. This can lead to kidney disease, UTI, crystals, blockage, renal failure and more. Especially since you have a tom, this is crucial. Male cats have a narrower urethra than female cats and are more prone to blockage from the crystals.
  
  Free feeding also contributes to obesity. And the fact that dry food is over-processed means, that most of it’s little nutrition has been already destroyed, leaving almost no nutrients for your cat. It needs to eat more to meet it’s needs, and in the process consumes more calories from the fillers.
  
  Btw wetting the dry food will not help. There’s bacteria on the kibble and the water would just allow it to grow.
  
  The only way to give the cat it’s natural hydration is to feed it wet food only.
  
  But some wet foods are not of a very high quality, either. That goes for most commercial foods. Just like the dry, they are often made with cheap fillers such as corn, wheat, soy, rice etc. These are not a part of cat’s natural diet (it’s an obligate carnivore – it eats meat) and they are not designed to digest it. Grain is carbohydrate which the cats can’t process and it turns into blood sugar and fat, causing diabetes and obesity. In the wild, where cats only hunt for meat, diabetes and obesity are unheard of. It’s us who cause these by feeding a species inappropriate food.
  
  We usually read labels on our food, but rarely on the food for our cats. Learn to read the label and understand the ingredients. The healthiest food to feed apart from raw feeding is grain-free wet food with no by-product. Some good brands are Wellness CORE, EVO, Merrick, Nature’s Variety, Blue Buffalo Wilderness and more. These will give your cat the proper hydration and nutrition it’s designed to get and it will be strong and healthy.
  
  If you switch it’s diet, do it gradually, by mixing the current food with the new one over couple of weeks until there’s only the new. This will prevent diarrhea and upset stomach.
  
  You will probably get a lot of different answers, so google feline nutrition or look at the links below, and do the research for yourself. I personally wasn’t able to find one reliable source (besides the pet food industry) that would say grain is beneficial for cats or that dry is beneficial for them.
  
  More on cat nutrition below,
  
  Good luck!
QUESTION:
Teeth problems? Help!?
Okay, I don’t brush my teeth as often as I should, but I am as of today.

The signs of gingivitis are swollen, red, & bleeding gums after brushing.

I sometimes have a little bleeding after brushing & some redness.
Do I likely have ginigivitis, or are these only because of my poor brushing habits?

Today when I used the yellow Listerine mouthwash, it burned my gums. Is that because its just too strong?

&& If I had gingivitis, how would it be treated?

Is there anything else it could be? & Im only 13, is this very likely?

Also; Im going to a dentist as soon as I can. So don’t comment on that please. (:
- ANSWER:
  Normal healthy gums do not bleed from brushing or flossing. If your hands bleed while washing them you’d go to the doctor if not the emergency room. Just because it doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean it’s not serious. Brush and floss and rinse with a salt water solution while you wait for your appointment. It can happen to a 13 year old with poor dental hygiene. You probably just need a good cleaning by a professional to take care of the problem.
QUESTION:
2 Black spots on my gum tip?
Between Second molar and first molar its on my left and right side of teeth…i am concerned about it because its black spot on tip…doesn’t bleed…doesn’t hurt… I have been brushing and flossing my teeth for after last dentist appoint, which was in march 09′

( had wisdom tooth removed, previously was told to brush and floss daily more, and what i’ve been doing because said signs that gingivitis was near developing, i brush 2x a day, floss 1′s a day more after that dentist appoinment, except forget 1 or 2 times a week SOMETIMES )
- ANSWER:
  HOw long has it been there for? sometiems the gums have pigmentation marks, if its the same size and not becoming bigger nothing to worry about, if it is see a dentist asap
QUESTION:
Slight discoloration in gum line– very bothered. Help!?
I take somewhat decent care of my teeth. I brush at night, sometimes brush after breakfast (I’m trying to make it a habit, but I haven’t lately).

To make up for it I brushed my teeth, flossed, and used Listerine tonight. While I flossed, I was bleeding frequently –not profusely, but enough to make my spit red–, and once I finished, I checked my teeth. I noticed a slight light-pink color at my gum line compared to the rest of my gums. I don’t look at my gums much frankly, and I don’t know if it’s ALWAYS that color, but it caught my eye due to the bleeding.

Are these signs of gingivitis? If so, what dental products should I search for? (Other than the obvious floss and mouthwash.)

I also plan on visiting the dentist in the next few days.
- ANSWER:
  Healthy gums should be light pink. The fact that you’re bleeding from flossing is a typical sign of gingivitis. If you’ve spotted a lighter spot in just one area, it may be that you’ve been a bit too keen in that area with the flossing and you’ve now got the beginnings of an ulcer.
  Gentle flossing and interdental brushes are good. Listerine and similar mouthwashes, don’t really do much and are just a marketing scam. Remember that in order to get the benefits out of your toothpaste, you must brush for at least 2 mins. Corsodyl mouthwash is one that has been specifically developed for gingivitis. You might get benefit from using that for a short period of time.
  
  Always keep in the back of you head that gums are actually more important than your teeth. Your gums are what keeps your teeth in place. If you don’t brush your gums gently everyday and floss, you could end up with pockets around your teeth with age. In severe cases this can lead to teeth falling out, because the gums have receeded so much that they’re not able to hold on to your teeth. So to make a long story short, you could have perfect teeth but still lose them if you neglect your gums.
QUESTION:
Cavity, Gum Problems, or Am I just overthinking the entire situation? Pls help?
Ok, I am 15 years old and I have had braces on for about a year and a half now. Although in the first seven months or so I wasn’t taking the best care of my teeth, I started much better habits for the later part of my orthodontic treatment. This month, I have been brushing after every meal, flossing after every meal, and using a fluoride rinse in the morning and at night. For the record, my gums have never been and still aren’t “good”. I’ve had early signs of gingivitis for as long as I can remember. Now, a few days ago, I started to have slight dull pain in between the molar with the orthodontic band on it and the tooth in front of it. The pain is not throbbing, it is not constant, it is a dull very easily ignored pain and it lasts for about a minute or two tops, but occurs several times a day. Unfortunately, I’m very melodramatic when it comes to this kinda stuff, and I have been extremely worried about whether it is decay on the side of my tooth even though I have developed these better habits. Also, I will sometimes have pain on other teeth, very similar to the one I experience between my molar. The very astonishing part is, it doesn’t hurt AT ALL when eating. I’m so confused and kinda worried. With braces on, will they be able to do a filling if I need it. Overall, I have no other symptoms besides that, my breath has been smelling better with my new brushing habits, but it’s still not top-notch, but then again I’ve had pretty bad breath for a long time (gross, I know, mints ftw ^.^) Maybe it is because of my excessive flossing, but I cannot really determine if the pain is from my gum or from my tooth. Thanks for reading my long story and pls help me out. Thank you!

P.S. I do not understand another thing, although it feels the pain is almost leaning a little more towards my molar, how can there be decay from the side of the tooth considering there are orthodontic bands encircling the tooth?
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