Do your gums hurt? Do they bleed when you brush your teeth at night? Are they puffy and red? If you answered yes to any of these questions you probably have gingivitis.  Gingivitis is a term used to describe non-destructive periodontal disease.  The most common form of gingivitis is plaque where is adherent to the tooth; however, there numerous other factors that can contribute to gingivitis.

Not brushing regularly or well enough:

The most common reason for the development of gingivitis is not brushing your teeth regularly or well enough.  It is recommended that you brush your teeth two-three times a day.  You should brush in a circular pattern and always gently brush your gums.  Flossing is another strongly recommended way to maintain a healthy mouth and avoid gingivitis.

Hormone changes:

When the body goes through tribulations such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, menstruation hormones in the body change and can make the gums more sensitive.  Sensitive gums make it significantly easier for you to develop gingivitis.

Medications:

The drugs your doctor prescribes to you is another factor that could lead to gingivitis.  Medications such as Dilantin, Procardia, and Adalat can cause the gum tissue to grow abnormally.  Other drugs reduce the amount of saliva produced which is the first shield for plague and other mouth bacteria.

Other causes:

There are countless other causes of gingivitis; however, some of the other major causes for the disease are bad habits, such as smoking, family history of gingivitis, or illnesses.

REMEMBER TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND HAVE A HEALTHY HAPPY SMILE!

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