At Burg Children’s Dentistry, our periodontal disease-fighting superheroes battle day and night against villains like Ginger Vitis. She fights against healthy teeth by helping fellow villain Professor Plaque pile plaque on top of your gum line. You might be thinking, “What’s a little plaque and how can this possibly be dangerous?” This accumulation of plaque is actually a very serious issue. In fact, it can cause you to get a gum disease called gingivitis.
Before we go any further teaching you how to defeat Ms. Ginger Vitis, there is one thing you have to learn: what exactly is gingivitis? The term gingivitis comes from the word “gingiva” which refers to the part of your gums that are around the baseline of your teeth. When this part of your gums get infected due to being exposed to too much bacteria and plaque, they may start to swell or show other signs of irritation. Keep reading to learn more about gingivitis and what to do if you get this gum disease.
How Do You Know if Ginger Vitis Has Been Around?
Wherever Ginger Vitis goes, she brings her rage. Anybody who crosses her path is sure to feel her wrath—or a painful punch. As mentioned above, she gathers plaque and piles it on top of your gums. She then stands guard and makes sure it hardens into tartar which can’t be removed easily by normal brushing or flossing routines. So how do you know she’s fighting against your teeth?
Here are the signs of gingivitis:
- Swollen gums
- Dark red gums
- Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
Who is Ginger Vitis’s Archnemesis?
Like any true villain, Ginger Vitis has her enemies. They are a few of our very own Burg Children’s Dentistry superheroes—Incisor Girl, The Bristler, and Flosser. At the first sign of Ginger Vitis’s presence, you’ll need to call your dentist. They’ll contact Incisor Girl who will fly to the scene with scraper in hand. She’ll carefully, but powerfully, scrape at the tartar that keeps bacteria trapped against your teeth.
The Bristler will be close by her side, throwing paste punches at Ginger Vitis. Her punch may be painful, but its power is nothing compared to The Bristlers. He works hard to make sure your teeth get brushed properly and that toothpaste reaches every part of your exposed teeth. After he’s done fighting the good fight, his good friend Flosser shoots floss webbing around your mouth. She’ll make sure that all of the plaque and food bits hiding in between your teeth gets flossed out. Together, they’ll kick Ginger Vitis out and gingivitis won’t be able to find a home in your mouth.
How to Win the Battle Against Ginger Vitis
Our superheroes need your help getting rid of Ginger Vitis, so grab your toothbrush and floss! Brush your teeth for at least two minutes after you eat breakfast and dinner. These two minutes are very important, because they give Incisor Girl, The Bristler, and Flosser enough time to do their part in battling Ginger Vitis. With your help, they’ll be able to defeat her and make sure every tooth is cleaned properly and that plaque doesn’t pile up on your gums.
Remember, Burg Children’s Dentistry’s superheroes will be right by your side every step of the way! We believe in you and know you’re going to do a great job brushing and flossing your teeth. To help you remember when to brush and floss your teeth, check out our brushing punch cards. Also, don’t forget to schedule your next dental visit with us so that your gums can stay as healthy as possible.