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Should I brush my teeth if I have gingivitis?

Having healthy gums and teeth is important for your overall health. But if you have gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, you may wonder if you should continue your regular oral hygiene routine. Here’s what you need to know about brushing your teeth with gingivitis.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria. If plaque isn’t removed by brushing and flossing, it can irritate the gums over time and cause them to become inflamed and bleed easily. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease.

Should you brush your teeth if you have gingivitis?

Yes, you should continue brushing and flossing your teeth even if you have gingivitis. While it may seem counterintuitive to brush inflamed or bleeding gums, maintaining your oral hygiene routine is important to prevent your gingivitis from worsening. Here’s why you should keep brushing with gingivitis:

  • Removes plaque – Brushing helps disrupt and remove plaque that irritates the gums. This decreases inflammation.
  • Prevents tartar buildup – Brushing also removes plaque before it hardens into tartar that can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
  • Treats gingivitis – Proper brushing and flossing is usually the first line of treatment for gingivitis along with professional cleanings.
  • Prevents gum disease progression – Keeping up oral hygiene can prevent gingivitis from advancing to periodontitis.
  • Maintains oral health – Brushing maintains oral health while gingivitis heals and keeps other teeth and gum issues at bay.

How to brush your teeth with gingivitis

When you have gingivitis, you’ll need to take some extra care while brushing your teeth. Here are some tips:

Use a soft-bristled brush

A toothbrush with soft or ultra-soft bristles is ideal for brushing inflamed gums. Hard-bristled brushes may irritate and further damage tender gums. Look for a soft brush approved by the American Dental Association.

Brush gently

Apply light pressure and use gentle motions when brushing areas of inflammation or bleeding. Vigorous scrubbing can worsen gingivitis symptoms. Let the bristles glide over gums rather than rubbing harshly.

Focus on gums

Pay close attention to brushing along the gumline and sulcus (groove between gums and teeth). Plaque hides in these areas and needs removed to combat gingivitis.

Use fluoride toothpaste

Brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride strengthens enamel and prevents cavities, which can cause additional gum irritation. ADA-approved fluoride toothpastes help promote healthy teeth and gums.

Brush twice daily

Brush your teeth thoroughly twice per day – morning and night. Set a timer for two minutes to ensure you brush for the full recommended brushing time. Don’t skip brushing sessions.

Floss once daily

Floss gently between teeth once per day. Flossing removes plaque and food particles where your toothbrush can’t reach. Carefully floss inflamed areas but avoid snapping floss forcefully down.

Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash

An antiseptic, alcohol-free mouthwash can help reduce bacteria and soothe gingivitis pain. Swish the mouthwash around for 30-60 seconds after brushing and flossing.

See your dentist

See your dentist right away if you notice gingivitis symptoms like red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Your dentist can provide specialized tools and treatments to properly clean your teeth and reverse gingivitis.

Proper brushing technique

Along with the right brush and toothpaste, using proper technique is key to effectively brushing with gingivitis. Here are some tips for good brushing technique:

Angle the brush

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your teeth and gums. This allows the bristles to clean below the gumline.

Move the brush in short strokes

Gently move the brush back and forth in short (about one tooth wide), gentle strokes. Avoid scrubbing harshly over tender areas.

Brush inside, outside, and chewing surfaces

Brush the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces of all teeth. Spend a few extra seconds brushing areas showing gingivitis signs.

Brush your tongue

Gently brush your tongue to remove odor-causing bacteria. This promotes fresher breath.

Don’t rinse with water after brushing

Avoid rinsing with water right after brushing, which can wash away the fluoride left behind from toothpaste. Fluoride continues protecting teeth after brushing.

What to avoid

Some oral hygiene habits should be avoided when you have gingivitis. Here are some tips:

  • Stop using tobacco products, which irritate gums.
  • Avoid eating hard, crunchy, and sticky foods that may get trapped between teeth.
  • Hold off dental flossing in areas of severe inflammation that bleed easily.
  • Don’t use your teeth to tear open packages or crack hard foods.
  • Limit acidic drinks like sodas, citrus juices, and sports drinks.
  • Don’t brush right after eating acidic foods or drinks.
  • Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol, which can burn and dry out gums.

When to stop brushing

In severe cases of gingivitis or gum pain, your dentist may advise you to temporarily stop brushing areas of major inflammation until they begin to heal. But this break from oral hygiene should be for only a short time period. Follow your dentist’s instructions about when to resume normal brushing of affected areas.

Supportive treatments

Along with proper daily brushing and flossing, there are some additional things you can do to help treat gingivitis:

  • Use an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria
  • Apply over-the-counter gum ointments to soothe pain
  • Rinse daily with warm salt water to promote healing
  • Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed for pain
  • Use interdental brushes to clean between teeth instead of floss
  • Get prescription antimicrobial rinses from your dentist if over-the-counter rinses don’t help

When to see a dentist

It’s important to make an appointment with your dentist if you notice any symptoms of gingivitis. Signs that indicate you should make a dental visit include:

  • Red, swollen, sensitive, or bleeding gums
  • Gums that bleed easily with brushing or flossing
  • Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
  • Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
  • Pus between teeth and gums
  • Change in tooth fit (feeling like teeth are loose or not fitting together properly)

The dentist will examine your gums and determine the extent of inflammation. Based on the severity, the dentist may perform specialized cleaning under the gums or prescribe medicated mouth rinses. Severe cases may require antibiotics or dental surgery. The sooner you get professional treatment, the better your chances of reversing gingivitis.

When to expect improvement

With proper oral hygiene and professional treatment, you should see gradual improvement in gingivitis symptoms over the course of a few weeks. Mild inflammation and bleeding should begin subsiding within days. It may take up to a few months for more severe cases to fully resolve.

Prevention

Preventing gingivitis from recurring once you’ve had it is important. Here are some tips to keep gingivitis at bay:

  • Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing properly each day
  • Have professional teeth cleanings every 6 months
  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco products
  • Monitor gum health and catch problems early
  • Get periodic dental exams to keep gums healthy

The takeaway

Gingivitis is common but can lead to more serious gum disease if neglected. Despite the pain and inflammation of gingivitis, it’s important to continue brushing and flossing properly each day. Proper oral hygiene techniques, specialized toothpastes, antiseptic rinses, and professional treatment can all help overcome gingivitis while preventing it from returning once the inflammation subsides.