Gum pain got you down?
I understand…
I’ve heard many people complain that their gums hurt and bleed. The first thing you need to know is that you should see a dentist as soon as possible for a professional evaluation of your problem.
Gum pain is common and can have several causes. Some of these are more serious than others. One of the most common causes is gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology there are two major kinds of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the milder form and can be treated to prevent the more serious periodontitis. The pain with gingivitis is usually mild and accompanied by redness and slight swelling of the gums. You could find some good mouthwashes for gingivitis that really helps.
So what exactly is going on in the gums around your teeth to cause gum pain? It occurs when plaque is allowed to accumulate below the gum line due to inadequate brushing and flossing. Plaque contains toxin-producing bacteria that irritate the gums and cause inflammation. If this inflammation isn’t eliminated it can result in an infection in the gums that may result in eventual tooth loss.
How do you keep your gums healthy and prevent gingivitis and gum pain?
Regular brushing and flossing. It really is that simple. You can’t count on a yearly cleaning at your dentist’s office to keep your gums healthy. You must assume responsibility for this part of your health.
You can actually do this very inexpensively with a manual toothbrush and a container of dental floss. With dedication and commitment you can keep your teeth and gums very clean with this minimal investment.
However, technology in the field of dentistry has brought advancements that make it easier and more effective.
Here are some of the features I particularly enjoy:
- UV toothbrush sanitizer. This is one great feature. I like keeping germs off my toothbrush head. In the old days I would put my manual toothbrush in the dishwasher or soak it in alcohol. That was a hassle and I knew from my microbiology classes that neither of these methods really killed all the germs. A UV sanitizer kills all kinds of germs like Herpes Simplex virus, E.coli, and a whole bunch of other nasty bacteria. Read our review of the best UV toothbrush sanitizer.
- Two size brush heads. I have both the large and small and use them both. I alternate them. This isn’t a big deal but I just feel like there are advantages in using both. If I had to choose just one it would be the small one.
- Rechargeable. I just wouldn’t use one of the battery-operated power toothbrushes. I don’t have the time to hassle with batteries. I’d rather just leave it plugged in and forget about it. Here’s our review of best rechargeable Sonicare toothbrush.
- Beeping timer. Research has shown that the average adult brushes their teeth for 45 seconds instead of the minimum 2 minutes required for adequate oral hygiene. The timer beeps and makes sure you brush long enough.
- It’s just more fun. Let’s face it, brushing your teeth is no fun. That’s why we only brush for a few seconds with a manual toothbrush.
- Clean.Clean.Clean. Your teeth just feel cleaner just like when you’ve had a professional cleaning.
- Whiter. Surface stains are removed with the Sonicare. You can’t whiten severely discolored teeth but it helps me keep the coffee stains off for a brighter smile.
- Pinker. My gums stay pink instead of red. I don’t want red and inflamed gums. I want them pink and healthy.
- Less pressure. I personally have a problem with what is called toothbrush abrasion. That means I brushed too hard for years with my manual toothbrush and actually brushed the gums away from my tooth. This is the exact reason I started using a Sonicare several year ago when they first came on the market. You don’t need to brush with much pressure to get your teeth and gums clean.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Let us know in the comment section about what you think.
