How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Gingivitis?
Dealing with gingivitis is not an enjoyable experience that anyone wants to go through. Your gums are red, swollen, irritated, and sometimes even bleeding. It may hurt to eat or drink certain things and you are tired of it. You might think, “What can I do to get rid of it and how long is that going to take?” Let’s explore what you can do to help gingivitis, its usual timeline, and how Sandcreek Dental can help.
Gingivitis Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Before diving into the timeline of gingivitis, let’s take a look at what could be causing it, what it feels like, and what can be done to treat it.
Causes
The cause of gingivitis is usually a lack of oral hygiene care. The plaque builds up on the teeth, causing inflammation in the gums near the base of the teeth. Though this is the usual cause, it can also stem from fungal, viral or bacterial infections, a hereditary condition, or hormonal changes. It is important to take the cause into account when looking at the potential timeline.
Symptoms
The symptoms are often universal, sometimes more severe in certain cases. These include:
- Redness in gums
- Swelling in gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Gum ulcers
Treatment
Oftentimes, gingivitis can be treated at home. A good oral hygiene routine, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day, can mitigate symptoms and reverse it altogether. In worse cases, seeing a dentist for a full cleaning and following their recommendations can get you on the right track.
Gingivitis Timeline
Once you begin proper treatment, gingivitis can be resolved within 2 weeks. If your gingivitis has developed for a long time and is more severe, it may take longer to be relieved from it.
From around weeks 1 to 2, you will notice that the redness and swelling have gone down. During this time, try to avoid eating certain foods that you know will trigger irritation and make you start all over.
After that, you will see improvement in the overall health of your gums as you continue to take care of them consistently.
What You Can Do To Prevent it From Coming Back
It is important to continue taking care of your oral health even after your gingivitis is gone. If you don’t maintain a good routine, there is a likely chance that it will come back. Here are some simple things you can do to maintain good oral health.
- Brush twice a day: Consider brushing your teeth with Parodontax toothpaste to reverse the effects of gingivitis. You could also consider using an electric toothbrush instead of a manual, as it removes hard-to-reach plaque better.
- Floss every day: Flossing can remove plaque in hard-to-reach places. This can help eliminate bad breath, make gums stronger, and promote overall good oral hygiene.
- Rinse before bed: Consider rinsing using a microbiome mouthwash to get rid of any leftover bacteria in the mouth.
- Frequently visit the dentist: Visit the dentist at least twice a year to get your teeth thoroughly cleaned. If needing extra cleaning while dealing with gingivitis, do not hesitate to visit more often than that.
When treated right away, the effects of gingivitis can be gone relatively quickly. Don’t wait to get your oral health in check. Sandcreek Dental is here to offer support and resources to help you. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!
