If you've been diagnosed with periodontitis, your dentist may recommend a cleaning every 3 months. Adding LISTERINE® to your daily oral care routine can help reduce early gum disease.
Mouthwash Use, Along With Brushing & Flossing, Can Help Prevent Gum Disease. In clinical studies, it's been shown that antibacterial mouthwashes can reduce plaque biofilm, kill bacteria in hard-to-reach places below the gums, and eliminate bacteria on non-tooth oral surfaces including the cheeks, tongue, and more.
Chlorhexidine is the most often prescribed oral mouth rinse, used to reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Used as directed by your dentist, Chlorhexidine can reduce certain gum disease-causing bacteria to an almost undetectable level.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or putting gel containing an antibiotic into gum pockets. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to get of bacteria that cause infections.
Saltwater rinses help with treating gum disease but are not capable of fixing the problem by themselves. You require help from a professional periodontist and maintain good oral hygiene habits if you intend to get over periodontal disease.
Foods such as pickled vegetables, citrus fruits, black coffee, and tea can enhance inflammation, aggravate your condition, and slow down the effects of treatment.
Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth. Or, you can use a device such as an interdental (between-the-teeth) brush , a wooden or plastic pick, or a “water flosser” recommended by a dental professional.
Use a fluoride toothpaste. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly, and gently rock the brush back and forth using small circular movements. Brush chewing surfaces vigorously with short back-and-forth strokes.
For example, patients with conditions that affect the efficiency of the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV, Down syndrome, leukemia, etc., can make periodontal disease worse. Those who smoke, use tobacco products, are malnourished, and/or are highly stressed are also at an increased risk.
Alcohol-based mouthwashes (read: the vast majority of them) have a habit of drying out the tissue in your mouth. As alcohol evaporates, it takes saliva and other moisture with it, worsening cases of dry mouth. Not to mention, mouthwash stings, meaning it can aggravate ulcers and sores.
Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented. It's often the result of not taking care of your mouth and teeth. To help prevent periodontitis or improve your chance of successful treatment, brush at least twice a day, floss daily and get regular dental checkups.
You can only stop periodontitis from returning if you also take good care of your teeth and gums at home. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and cleaning the gaps between them with an interdental brush or dental floss.
If you have periodontitis, your teeth start moving in the mouth, making tooth loss a reality. However, if you receive gum disease treatment early, you can preserve your natural teeth and prevent the need to search for replacement options.
You will need a deep cleaning (scaling & root planing) from Dr. Merguerian. Antibiotics may also be recommended. Along with good at-home oral hygiene and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and eating a healthier diet, this is usually enough to reverse and eliminate gingivitis entirely.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Prevention and treatment
To help prevent or control periodontal diseases, it is important to: Brush and floss every day to remove the bacteria that cause gum disease. See a dentist at least once a year for checkups, or more frequently if you have any of the warning signs or risk factors mentioned above.
You should rinse with salt water between 15-30 seconds, and you're not supposed to swallow it. When you're done, spit the water out and repeat this process at least three times a day. However, you're not supposed to rinse more than a few times a day. You should do that until your gums are healed.
Epsom salt in warm water soothes the swollen gums and alleviates the inflammation and pain. It is also an antibacterial agent that can treat the infection causing the problem.
The research study showed that sea salt eradicated bacteria that causes periodontal gum disease. In my practice, I advise my patients to rinse with sea salt every time they experience acute flare-ups of gum disease, which show up as bleeding gums.