Oral health tips for fighting gingivitis

May 12 2011

Those who faithfully brush their teeth each morning and night might feel as though they're doing enough to achieve a healthy smile. However, even people with good oral care habits may hear from their dentist or hygienist that they have signs of gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.

Arming yourself with a better understanding of gingivitis and tools to help fight it can help improve the health of your mouth and make your next dental visit a more positive experience.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a very common early form of gum disease that causes gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily during brushing or flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious form of gum disease known as periodontitis, which affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth and represents a major cause of tooth loss in adults.

How Can I Fight Gingivitis?

Fortunately, there are several ways you can protect yourself from gingivitis. Try these techniques between dental visits to help improve your chances of acing your next dental check-up.

• Rinse, rinse, rinse! Using a mouth rinse is an important part of your overall oral care routine. Look for a rinse that protects against plaque and gingivitis like Crest® Pro-Health® Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse. Rinsing with Invigorating Clean takes no more than a minute a day, but protects against gingivitis and leaves you with a lasting cool freshness that helps to signal that you are on the path to a healthy mouth. In fact, in a survey of over 100 Women's Health readers selected to receive free samples of a new Crest Pro-Health Rinse, 89 percent felt more confident about their next dental check-up after regular use of Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse.
• Give your mouth the time it deserves. Spending a little more time on your oral health is an easy way to help keep your smile in shape. Make sure to spend at least two minutes brushing, which should include 30 seconds of brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left), both morning and night.
• Get in touch with your toothpaste. Not all toothpastes work the same, so choose one that protects against gingivitis. Unlike ordinary toothpastes, Crest® Pro-Health® Clinical Gum Protection Invigorating Clean Mint Toothpaste helps eliminate plaque at the gum line. In a recent clinical study, 100 percent of people who used Clinical Gum Protection Invigorating Clean Mint Toothpaste together with Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse, Oral-B® CrossAction® Pro-Health® Toothbrush and Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss had reduced gingivitis in just two weeks.