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WHAT'S NEW
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Do your gums bleed? You may have gingivitis
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Almost half of all Canadians are keeping their mouths closed on a potentially serious health problem.
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By Jennifer Melo
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At-home prevention
Regular brushing and flossing are key recommendations for good oral hygiene, but as of June 2006, the CDHA officially added a third level of at-home oral care: Use a mouthwash to kill the plaque-forming bacteria that cause gingivitis. "It's been proven to reduce gingivitis by 34 per cent," say Jesin.
Here are Jesin's tips for mastering mouthwash:
• Rinse with an essential-oil mouth rinse, like Listerine, to break up plaque
• Use 20 mL (about a tablespoon) of mouthwash at each rinse
• Keep swishing for 30 seconds, then spit
• Rinse twice a day
Get help, get it early
While you're doing your best to keep plaque off your teeth and away from your gums at home, remember that your oral care is a shared responsibility between you and your dental hygienist or dentist. When plaque hardens into tartar, only a dental professional can remove its buildup, so remember to make time for regular dental appointments, even if you'd rather be golfing.
If you've been avoiding the hygienist's chair because of fears, don't let your dental phobias worsen matters. Gingivitis is the earliest and most treatable form of gum disease, but it's important to control it in its early stages. "Gingivitis is reversible," assures Jesin, "and prevention is much better than treatment."
The sooner you visit your dental hygienist, the sooner you'll be able to enjoy healthier gums and teeth with confidence -- now, that's something to smile about.
For more information, visit:
Listerine gingivitis week
The Canadian Academy of Periodontology
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
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