Discovery Health has a great article providing tips about Gingivitis. The great news about Gingivitis is that something can be done to stop it from getting worse and progressing into painful periodontal disease.
(Dr. Clark's comments are inserted in red.)
Gingivitis Tips
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible, and better oral hygiene is the solution. Here are some tips to prevent gingivitis and, if you already have it, to "clean it up."
Use the "three-three" rule. The American Dental Association says that most people spend less than one minute per day on dental hygiene. That's far from adequate, say dentists. Here' s a good rule of thumb: Brush your teeth three times a day for at least three minutes each time. That may seem like a lot of brushing--not to mention the flossing that should follow -- but those nine minutes each day could spare you a great deal of oral distress.
Try brushing dry. "Dry" brushing -- or brushing without toothpaste -- while doing other activities such as watching television can help remove dental plaque.
Be consistent. You will be less likely to miss teeth as you brush if you develop a routine and stick with it. Start with the same part of your mouth every time you brush, always moving from one section to the next in the same order.
Lighten up. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they brush is pushing too hard with the toothbrush. Try the following experiment: Apply the bristles of your toothbrush to the back of your hand. Push as hard as you normally would for toothbrushing, and try to move the brush around. Then apply only a tiny amount of pressure and move the brush. You'll find that the hard pressure doesn't allow the tips of the bristles -- the part of the brush that cleans the teeth -- to move.
In addition, avoid a "traveling" stroke. Instead of moving the brush up and down and traveling rapidly over several teeth, brush a couple of teeth at a time, holding the brush in one place.
Use a softie. Using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can damage the sensitive tissue in your mouth and even cause gingivitis. Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Brush your tongue and palate. Many dentists advise patients to brush the tongue and the roof of the mouth when they clean their teeth, which will cut down on the amount of bacteria present and increase circulation in the tissue.
Electrify 'em. Okay, so you hate to brush. It's awkward and boring, or maybe it's too difficult because you don't have as much dexterity as you used to. Try a "rotary" electric toothbrush. Beware, however, that not all electric toothbrushes are created equal. Ask your dentist for a recommendation. Dr. Clark recommends the Braun OralB rotary brush.
Floss, and floss again. Toothbrush bristles are not designed to clean between teeth. That's a job for dental floss, which -- despite what you might think -- is not optional. Use a waxed floss (it's easier to move between the teeth without getting hung up), and whenever possible, floss at least twice a day. If
flossing is difficult for you, try other tools to clean between the teeth. Any
tool you can easily and effectively use is the best tool for you.
Irrigate it. While water irrigation devices like the Waterpik don't take the place of flossing, they do clean debris out from pockets in the gums and from between teeth. They also massage the gums.
Use tartar-control toothpaste. Tartar is a hardened material that often contains bacterial debris and sometimes even plaque. Brushing with the right toothpaste can help prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. Look for a tartar-control toothpaste with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance or Recognition, an indication that the product has been properly tested.
Dr. Clark also suggests to brush with baking soda. To help
prevent cavities dip your tooth brush in baking
soda and then add tooth paste and brush as usual. Baking
soda will help neutralize acidic foods
and bacterial wastes, deodorize, and polish your teeth.
Which Mouthwash is better? Our
office offers a new no alcohol rinse which is better than
mouthwashes (such as Listerine) which contain
alcohol. Smart Mouth kills bacteria in the mouth, freshens your breath for 12 hours and even has a slight whitening effect.
However, rinsing your mouth is not a substitute for regular, thorough brushing
and flossing.
Bring on the salt water. Try rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (half a teaspoon salt to eight ounces warm water). Swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit (don't swallow). The salty solution will soothe your inflamed gums; as a bonus, it will also wipe out some bacteria.
Try hydrogen peroxide. If the bleeding persists when you brush your teeth, try an oral 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution (not the 20 percent hydrogen peroxide used for cuts). It's available without a prescription at pharmacies and in the dental section of some stores. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water, rinse with it for 30 seconds, then spit (don't swallow).
Eat a carrot. Any time you can't brush after eating, you're giving bacteria in your mouth the opportunity to cause gingivitis. But face it, sometimes you just can't brush. When you can't brush, try to end your meal with an abrasive food, such as a raw carrot or even popcorn, which will scrape some of the plaque from your teeth and stimulate the gums. Dr. Clark suggest any crunchy vegetable or fruit can help in decreasing bacteria in your mouth.
Swish. If you can't brush right after eating, at least rinse your mouth out thoroughly with water. A little H2O therapy can wash away (food) debris dilute bacterial products that can contribute to oral diseases and provide some relief if your gums are inflamed.
