How can you get rid of gingivitis?

How severe is my gingivitis (don't worry it's not a photo thing) and is this working to get rid of it?

• Hi, I have gingivitis and braces. I know I have gingivitis because my gums are a little bit puffy and red. My gums will occasionally bleed a little bit when I floss but for the most part they don't. Near the back of my mouth on the top, my gums are almost touching the braces. The bottom gums look fine... Not like they have gingivitis. I want to know how severe this sounds and if it is curable with the routine below. I want to clear up my gingivitis before my next dental appointment in a few months. What I am currently doing in my brushing routine is... 1. Rinse mouth with water until I get most of the food caught out of my teeth. 2. Do a quick 2 minute brush with Crest Total. 3. Floss teeth with Johnson and Johnson Extra-Wide floss really well. 4. Brush teeth with Crest Prohealth for 3-5 minutes well. 5. With a special ended brush, brush around the braces and at the gum line. 6. Brush the tongue and cheeks with water on my regular toothbrush. 7. Rinse mouth with Crest Prohealth Multiprotection rinse for about 30-40 seconds. ...So I will do this 2-3 times a day depending on how much time I have. Between I may also brush my teeth a few extra times. I also have the gum that is "good for your teeth". I chew that insted of regular gum now. I'll rub my gums too because I've heard that that helps from somewhere to increase circulation. Does it work? I want to know if this will clear the gingivitis and how fast it will work if it does. I have been doing this exact routine for about a week and a half. Thankyou so much for your help. It is really appreciated from me. If you need more information about anything, I can post additional details. Again, thankyou :).

• Answer:

  Hmm...getting rid of gum disease isn't necessarily difficult, but it takes a consistent scheduled daily regimen of gum attention. Flossing regularly typically eradicates gingivitis, but your case is a little more unique since you have braces. Did your dentist recommend any specific tools/picks/flossing agents for this type of care? If they did not, why not call the office and ask them directly?