GINGIVITIS & PERIODONTITIS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

On almost any surface, a thin layer of bacteria known as biofilm can stick. That’s why your gums and teeth feel like they’ve been covered in slime when you wake up in the morning. Biofilm is normal;everyone gets it—even if you brush, floss and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. But if you don’t remove the biofilm on a daily basis, it can build and develop into dental plaque.

Dental plaque, which can contribute to gum problems, is bacterial buildup.

Someone with a healthy oral care routine, who brushes, flosses, and swishes daily, can control and minimize the size of the biofilm, and potentially make it even healthier. But when you clean and rinse your gums and teeth less frequently, biofilm (typically pale yellow in color) can harden and thicken into tartar and requires professional intervention to remove.

There are a lot of medical terms of ‘gum disease’, but what do they mean and how are they connected?

Gum disease is the broad-stroke, general term used to describe an infection in your gums. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are words used to describe gum disease—but they don’t mean the same thing.

Gingivitis describes early, mild (and reversible) gum disease, the kind marked by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed or flossed.

If gingivitis is not addressed by improved mouth care, it can progress and develop into the more serious (non-reversible) stage of gum disease called periodontitis, which attacks gums, bone and the connective tissue that holds teeth in place, eventually loosening them over time to the point that they could fall out.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. That’s why it’s best to address gum issues early by hammering down a foolproof rinse routine.

As we age, it’s increasingly common to see a drop or two of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing. It’s so common that many of us convince ourselves it’s not a big deal. But bleeding gums—even during a dentist cleaning—are not normal and not healthy. They’re a sign—possibly along with other often-missed symptoms like puffy, red, irritated gums—of gingivitis (early gum disease). 90% of the world population suffers from chronic gum disease, gum problems, yet only a very small fraction realizes it. But there is some good news: early-stage gum disease is reversible, through improved daily mouth care and more frequent visits to the dentist for plaque and tartar removal. But left ignored, bleeding gums can progress to serious gum infection (periodontitis) that attacks gums, erodes the jawbone and is the number-one reason for teeth fall out. If you’ve spotted droplets, don’t wait another day to start improving your brush, floss and rinse routine.

You’ve recognized one of the most telltale signs of mid-stage gum problems. And this is not one you want to ignore. When you notice your gum and bone pulling away from your teeth, and more of the lower part of your teeth becomes visible, your gums are receding. Often referred to as shrinking gums. When this happens, the roots of your teeth become exposed to harmful bacteria and your mouth becomes susceptible to a whole host of oral health issues. If accompanied by red, inflamed gums that bleed when brushing, early gum disease is the likely culprit. Left untreated, gum recession can have serious, irreversible consequences, such as loss of dentin (hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel and keeping your teeth firmly in place), and the exposed roots can become tender, sore or infected.

Always check the ingredients on your mouthwash bottle and look for germ-fighting ingredients that prevent gum disease, like LISTERINE^® Teeth & Gum Defence mouthwash (which has eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate and thymol — four essential oils that are clinically proven to fight germs that cause gum problems). It also contains fluoride to prevent cavities. Listerine® Teeth & Gum Defence is clinically proven to give you healthier gums and stronger teeth in 2 weeks! Using antibacterial mouthwash regularly will fight bacteria that can cling to your gums and form plaque. When plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar.

It’s best to use LISTERINE^® mouthwash twice daily, as directed. The combination of ingredients in Listerine® Total Care Gum Protect Milder Taste Mouthwash are effective in fighting bacteria above and below the gum line, helping prevent gum problems Don’t wait for gum disease to strike, take precaution with LISTERINE^® Teeth & Gum Defence mouthwash twice daily for 24-hour protection from gum disease-causing bacteria.