How to Treat Gingivitis

a dental hygienist's step by step guide to the best gingivitis home remedy

This gingivitis home remedy works best after your teeth have been cleaned by your hygienist. It is more difficult to improve the health of your gums with dental calculus (tarter) keeping them inflamed.

But don't delay if you have signs of gingivitis your gums will improve even if you need a professional cleaning. Review the gingivitis symptoms if you are not sure.

How to treat gingivitis? Here is my step by step guide to the best gingivitis home remedy:

Week one:

Did I say that out loud?

That's right...you get a one week vacation from flossing! Don't even feel guilty about it:)

Use your toothbrush. Be sure you have a new, soft bristled toothbrush. Don't use your electric toothbrush ...yet. Using good brushing technique, brush for two minutes with your favorite toothpaste as usual. Rinse but don't put your toothbrush away...go get comfortable no need to stand at the sink.....Plop yourself down in front of the TV or in your favorite chair.

Following the instructions for brushing teeth properly, massage your gums. Just like you do with toothpaste only slower and longer. Without a mouth full of foaming toothpaste you can really focus on your gums and give them some much needed attention.

Here is a video showing good brushing technique...

Start with the cheek side of your last molar on the upper right and follow your gumline around to the last molar on the upper left. Now switch to the tongue side massaging your gums on every tooth molar to molar.

Done with the uppers? Do the same on your lower arch. Give yourself a gum massage from molar to molar cheek side then tongue side.

Don't skip any of your gums...especially the ones that are sore and bleed. When you finish, massage your entire gumline again and again.... You should spend five to ten minutes massaging your gums.

They will bleed at first and you may need to rinse your mouth and your toothbrush. That's OK, just rinse and continue for at least five minutes and gradually increase your time to ten minutes.

Use enough pressure so that the bristles spread out along your gum line and extend under your gums. Don't scrub...place the brush at a 45 degree angle toward your gums and gently press in using a circular motion.

After five to ten minutes, feel every surface of every tooth with your tongue. If they feel nice and smooth, you are done brushing. If not, go back to the rough spots. Keep checking and re brushing until they are smooth as glass.

Once you are sure they are all clean, rinse with Listerine mouthwash for 30 seconds. Listerine doesn't taste good but kills the bacteria that cause gingivitis. If you have gingivitis or more advanced gum disease, rinsing with Listerine for 30 seconds twice a day will help.

Week two:

A dental deep cleaning is recommended for gum disease that has progressed beyond gingivitis. Not sure if you need a deep cleaning? Click here.

If you still have gingivitis symptoms your cure for gingivitis may require a look at these contributing factors. A closer look at who is at risk for gingivitis may be helpful as well.

Some cases of gingivitis need professional care. If you don't see improvement in your symptoms after one week, see your dentist or dental hygienist.

Don't let gingivitis come back...

Click here for ways to prevent gingivitis from recurring.

Return to gingivitis treatment.

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