Treatment and Prevention
Thorough flossing and brushing can prevent gingivitis. Tartar control toothpaste, though not scientifically evaluated, may also help with prevention. Some types of antibacterial mouthwash may also be helpful. The most effective ones contain the ingredient chlorhexidine.* Most traditional mouthwashes contain high amounts of alcohol, which may cause alcohol burn. These mouthwashes can be very irritating to already inflamed gums. They also do not get rid of sulfur-containing compounds that cause bad breath. Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or chlorine dioxide will get rid of these substances and also remove bacteria.
Studies have shown that brushing can prevent gingivitis in adults and children. Flossing appears not to help in children, though it's a good habit for them to form. However, people with diseases that make gingivitis more likely (such as diabetes) shouldn't try to prevent it with good oral hygiene alone. Treating the disease itself is very important in preventing gingivitis.
Once plaque has turned to tartar, only a dentist can remove it. Dentists recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned every year or six months. Plaque and tartar removal can also be the treatment for early gingivitis. Once the plaque and tartar are gone, the inflammation tends to subside quickly.
If the disease develops into periodontitis, periodontal surgery may be needed. This involves opening up the gums to get at the infected area. Infected tissue is removed, and the root of the threatened tooth is scaled (the tartar is scraped off). Sometimes this can be done without actually cutting the gum. Really severe disease might even require bone grafts.
Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis can't be cured, but it goes away on its own after about two weeks. Pregnancy tumors can be cut out, but if they're removed before delivery they're liable to return. In all of these infections, the gums can heal quickly if the microbes are removed.
Trench mouth, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), can be treated with appropriate antibiotics. Early treatment by your dentist is recommended.
Postmenopausal women who have desquamative gingivitis may benefit from hormone replacement therapy.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.