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Gingivitis, a common and mild form of gum disease, leads to irritation, redness, and swelling of the gum tissue that encircles the base of your teeth (gingiva). Addressing gingivitis promptly and with proper attention is essential. Neglecting it can escalate into periodontitis, a more severe gum disease, potentially resulting in tooth loss.
The primary factor behind gingivitis is inadequate oral hygiene. However, this condition can be both prevented and managed by adopting effective oral care habits, such as brushing a minimum of two times a day, flossing daily, and maintaining regular dental check–ups.
Symptoms
Gums that are in good health are tight–fitting around the teeth, firm, and pale pink in color. An example of gingivitis symptoms and signs is:
- Swollen or tender gums
- The gums looks red or dusky
- Bleeding gums when brushing your teeth or flossing
- Gum recession
- Bad breath
If you detect any symptoms or signs of gingivitis, it’s important to arrange a dental visit without delay. Seeking prompt medical attention increases your likelihood of addressing the effects of gingivitis and halting its progression into periodontitis.
Causes
Gingivitis commonly arises due to inadequate oral hygiene, which promotes the buildup of plaque on teeth. This buildup triggers inflammation in the nearby gum tissues. The progression from plaque to gingivitis occurs as follows:
- Plaque forms on your teeth. When the starches and sugars in food mix with the bacteria ordinarily present in your mouth, plaque, an invisible, sticky film primarily made of bacteria, forms on your teeth. Plaque must be removed every day since it quickly reforms.
- Plaque turns into tartar. Remaining plaque on your teeth has the potential to solidify into tartar (calculus), which gathers microorganisms. Tartar acts as a barrier for germs, making it more difficult to eliminate plaque, and irritating the gumline. Tartar removal requires a dental cleaning by a professional.
- Gingiva become inflamed (gingivitis). The gingiva, the area of your gum at the base of your teeth, becomes more irritated and inflamed the longer plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your teeth. Your gums eventually swell up and start to bleed readily. Dental caries, or tooth decay, could also ensue. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and eventually result in tooth loss if it is not treated.
Risk factors
Gingivitis is a condition that can affect anyone. Individuals might have a higher susceptibility to developing gingivitis if they possess:
- Old age
- Heredity
- Poor oral hygiene
- Using tobacco
- Dry mouth
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin C
- Improperly fitting dental implants or difficult–to–clean teeth with crookedness
- Medical conditions that suppress the immune system, like leukemia, HIV/AIDS, or undergoing cancer treatment
- A number of medications, including calcium channel blockers used to treat angina, high blood pressure, and other illnesses, and phenytoin for epileptic seizures
- Health issues such certain viral and fungus infections
- Hormonal alterations brought on by pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, or the use of birth control pills
- People who are uneducated beyond the high school level and those who are in poverty. Many diseases have links to these factors.
Diagnosis
Gingivitis is typically identified by dentists based on:
- An examination of your dental and medical histories, as well as any disorders that might be causing your symptoms.
- Checking your mouth, tongue, teeth, and gums for plaque and inflammation.
- Inserting a dental probe next to your tooth beneath your gum line, typically at numerous locations around your mouth, to measure the depth of the pocket in the groove between your gums and teeth. The pocket depth in a healthy mouth typically ranges from 1 to 3 millimeters (mm). Greater than 4 mm–deep pockets could be a sign of gum disease.
- Dental X–rays to examine any bone loss in regions where your dentist notices greater pockets.
- Additional tests as required. Your dentist could advise getting a medical checkup to rule out any underlying medical concerns if the reason of your gingivitis is unclear. Your dentist might recommend a gum disease expert (periodontist) if your gum disease is advanced.
Treatment
Commencing treatment in its early stages generally alleviates the symptoms of gingivitis and prevents its progression, ultimately averting tooth loss. The optimal likelihood of successful treatment is achieved by quitting smoking and establishing a consistent daily dental hygiene routine.
Professional treatment for gingivitis includes:
- Professional dental cleaning. Scaling and root planing, a process used to remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial products, will be a part of your initial professional cleaning. Tartar and bacteria are removed from tooth surfaces and the gum line during scaling. Root planning eliminates the bacterial byproducts of inflammation, smoothes the root surfaces to prevent future tartar and bacterial formation, and promotes healthy healing. A laser, an ultrasonic device, or equipment may be used to carry out the treatment.
- Dental restoration, if required. Your gums may get irritated by misaligned teeth or poorly fitted crowns, bridges, or other dental restorations, which will make it more difficult to eliminate plaque from your teeth on a daily basis. Your dentist may advise addressing issues with your teeth or dental restorations if they are causing your gingivitis.
- Ongoing care. After a thorough professional cleaning, gingivitis typically goes away as long as you maintain appropriate oral care at home. Your dentist will work with you to develop a home care regimen that works as well as a schedule for routine checkups and cleanings.
By consistently practicing proper oral hygiene at home, you can expect to see the return of healthy, pink gum tissue within a matter of days or weeks.
