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Gum disease is a problem that is more common than you imagine. Even if you take care of your oral health by brushing and flossing every day, doing it poorly can still result in having a problem with gum disease. The early stages are known as gingivitis, and it is important to know the following things about it.

The Signs

There is a lot of bacteria living in your mouth that can cause gingivitis, which is why you need the signs that you could potentially have a problem that needs to be addressed. Pay attention to your gums and see if they look puffy or swollen.

It is possible that only one small portion of your gums look this way rather than all of them. You can also have gums that feel very tender to the touch, especially when brushing. This can even cause you to brush those areas not as good due to the tenderness. Bleeding gums can also happen when brushing, with it happening in specific areas of your mouth. Those same parts of your gums may also be receding as a result.

Some people suffer from halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, as a result of a problem with halitosis.

The Dangers

Gingivitis is not something that should be ignored. The problem may not feel painful right away, but it can lead to several problems that you have to deal with if gingivitis is not treated. Some people actually start losing teeth in extreme cases where there is a lot of bacteria in their mouth. That bacteria can even reach their bloodstream, where it causes diseases in the lungs or cardiovascular problems. For pregnant women, gingivitis has caused problems with a pregnancy and the health of the baby.

The Prevention

One way to prevent gingivitis is to get better about brushing. Switch to using an electric toothbrush that can brush much more effectively than a manual toothbrush, and help motivate you to brush for a full two minutes each time. If you have early signs of gingivitis, it will help to rinse out your mouth by using a simple solution of salt and baking soda mixed in water, which will neutralize the acidic environment in your mouth where gingivitis thrives.

It will also help to meet with a family dentist so that they can officially diagnose and treat the problem. They will have their own recommendations for what you should be doing to deal with gingivitis.