Gingivitis: Know the main treatments

The mouth can be a great access for the entrance of bacteria. And if the hygiene of the place is not performed correctly, these microorganisms create a bacterial plaque that lodges in the teeth, near the gingiva, to cause a picture of inflammation: gingivitis. The problem has been increasingly present in dentistry and calls attention of health professionals. "Usually the patient does not do proper brushing, flossing or going to the dentist, so there is an accumulation of plaque on the site, which hardens and evolves into the dental calculus (popularly known as tartar)," describes dentistry Deborah Lee, technical manager of Odontoclinic Vila Mariana (SP). Tartar can not be removed just by brushing, and it builds up, irritating the gums and causing them to swell.

The picture of gingivitis itself is simple. However, if inflammation is not treated, it can progress to a more serious situation: periodontitis and spread to other structures, such as the periodontal tissues, which bind the tooth to the bones, even leading to the fall of the teeth. It is worth remembering that periodontitis is the main cause of dental loss in adults. Therefore the ideal is to prevent it by avoiding gingivitis and treating it when it appears.

The main symptoms of gingivitis are bleeding during brushing and flossing, swelling and tenderness. But if you realize this, do not worry: the treatment of gingivitis is very simple! "Gingivitis is reversible and punctual, but it needs the collaboration of the patient to be treated," points out the dentist Nathalia Moraes specialization in Periodontics by the Brazilian Association of Dentistry (ABO-RJ). See below for the treatment steps.

1. Cleaning the Dentist

The first step in detecting gingivitis is to look for your dentist, after all when the plaque hardens and tartar forms, the toothbrush and dental floss do not take care of removing it. "So, a process called scraping is done, which can be done with ultrasound devices or manually with periodontal curettes," says Deborah Lee.

Scraping is a process that usually gives a little distress, but is usually painless , not requiring anesthesia.

The patient may often appear in the office with only plaque, something quite common in children. In these cases the cleaning is simpler, using only the common brush.

2. Correct daily oral hygiene

After that, the patient must return to a more careful dental hygiene routine as directed by the dentist. "It's important to brush your teeth three times a day and floss twice, especially those who have had gingivitis," explains Deborah Lee. Pre-sleeping brushing is the most important, as saliva flow is lower when we sleep, making it an environment conducive to bacterial proliferation.

Careful brushing is necessary. "The important thing is not the strength, but to pass the bristles of the brush on all the faces of the tooth, ensuring that the plaque is removed from all of them," describes Nathalia Moares. Antiseptic rinse

Often the use of mouthwash may be indicated. "There are mouthwashes with chlorhexidine, which should be prescribed by the dentist because their use is indicated for between seven and 15 days, because they can cause stains on the teeth, among other problems," explains Nathalia. this period is also interesting, since they also act in the reduction of microbes in the mouth. "In addition to helping with cleansing, they contain fluoride, which helps prevent cavities, but in those cases, they do not need to be used on a daily basis," says Deborah.4. Use of Medications

The use of medications for gingivitis is actually quite uncommon, and may only be needed in more advanced cases in which the patient already has periodontitis. "In these cases they may enter with antibiotics, but they are administered more punctually, usually in patients with other disorders," says Nathalia. Alignment of teeth

An indirect treatment for gingivitis may be to invest in alignment of teeth. "Bent or loosened teeth are harder to floss or brush, making it an ideal environment for bacteria and later tartar," says Deborah Lee.

However, great care must be taken with the use of orthodontic appliances, since they may also favor gingivitis. "The brackets can accumulate plaque, in addition to making sanitation more difficult, and sometimes negligent," says Nathalia Moares. In these cases, close follow-up of the orthodontist is necessary.

The increasingly common problem, as recurrent in dentists' offices as cavities or bad breath. "It is an inflammation in the gingiva, supportive tissue located around the tooth," explains dentistry Nathalia Moraes specialization in Periodontics by the Brazilian Association of Dentistry (ABO-RJ).

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