Gingivitis: What is It and How is it Treated?

Gingivitis is one of the mildest gum diseases. It is an inflammation of the gums which if left untreated can develop into periodontitis. 

Keep reading and find out more about the most common dental condition of people’s gums.

What is Gingivitis?

When we refer to a condition called gingivitis, we mean the pathological conditions of the gums which are characterized by inflammation and bleeding. Healthy gums are tight, have a light pink color and do not bleed at all. In gingivitis the gums are swollen, red and commonly bleed, either spontaneously or during tooth brushing.

Gingivitis symptoms and signs to watch out for | parodontax

Gingivitis is a dental disease for which there is a cure available. However, if left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis which slowly destroys the bone that surrounds the teeth and finally leads to their loss. Someone can have gingivitis without knowing because it is rarely painful.

How Can Gingivitis Be Detected?

With the condition of gingivitis, due to the dental plaque, the gums commonly turn bright red, swell and finally might bleed, either spontaneously or during brushing. 

Which are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

Both caries and gingivitis are conditions which are caused by bacterial plaque, a set of deposits that start their accumulation on the surface of the tooth, even minutes after you complete your brushing. This dental plaque contains many germs which produce acids and at the same time irritate the gums, which means that they definitely cause gingivitis.

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The symptoms of gingivitis have to do with the dark red color of the gums, the slight swelling (in contrast to the light pink color and its solid texture in a state of health) as well as the simple bleeding. Although, the main symptoms of gingivitis, include the following ones:

  • The gums lose their characteristic pink color and become red, swollen, with an irregular shape and cause pain. 
  • There is blood when brushing the teeth or even by the time you floss them.
  • The gums recede from the teeth which means that they become hollow. Spaces are created between the teeth and gums as well. The tooth’s root might also be revealed. 
  • Bad breath, pus between the gums and teeth.
  • Changes in the patient’s teeth, modifications of their position, removal of the teeth between them, tooth loss. 

The initial symptoms of gingivitis are mild and do not cause any pain or discomfort to the patient. Lack of pain as well as very slow progression of the symptoms are the reasons why a large number of patients ignore the symptoms of gingivitis and do not seek any treatment before the disease progresses to the dental condition of periodontitis.

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Which are the Causes of Gingivitis?

Bacterial plaque is a sticky, soft, white coating, which mainly consists of a large number of bacteria that are normally detected in the patient’s mouth and affected by eating habits, such as sugars. With regular brushing after the consumption of every meal, the bacterial plaque is removed before it becomes dangerous. If dental plaque remains on the teeth, without frequent and suitable brushing, it can harden. Plaque has the ability to absorb calcium ions from the saliva, when it hardens, therefore creating the tartar.

Tartar is the yellowish or dark coating which forms on the surface of the teeth and around or even under the gums. Thus, a dentist is required to remove the tartar. The surface of the tartar or plaque is rough, resulting in further retention of microbial plaque and therefore difficulty in applying the suitable physical hygiene. As a result, Harmful products which are called toxins, are derived from microbial bacterial plaque, initially causing inflammation in the gums which means the condition of gingivitis.

The cause of gingivitis is the bacterial plaque which has now turned to tartar. Factors that lead to gingivitis are all those which favor the accumulation of dental plaque, with the most fundamental of them being poor oral hygiene. Other causes of gingivitis are crooked teeth, poor fillings, sealants, dental bridges and so on. Improper prostheses keep food between the teeth making it difficult to brush properly as well as remove germs from the patient’s mouth.

gingivitis | Britannica

You should also note that diet has a significant role in the genesis and maintenance of gingivitis. A diet rich in sugar or acidic substances assists the growth of bacteria if the mouth is not thoroughly cleaned after consuming food and drinks.

If the microbial plaque is minimal, so as not to justify the existence of gingivitis, then gingivitis is caused due to other factors and thus they should be identified and in continuity treated. There are some other causes of gingivitis, which are as follows: diabetes, pregnancy, leukemia, taking certain medications, lack of vitamins, and so on. People who have reduced vitamin C in their diet have an increased risk of gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis from intense mental stimuli and stress are also observed.

We need to make a unique reference to gingivitis in pregnancy. Changes in a woman’s hormones during this period can cause severe gingivitis with symptoms of heavy bleeding, an increase in gum volume and sometimes even small abscesses. For this reason, pregnant women should practice exceptional oral hygiene and visit the dentist from the second trimester onwards.

Gingivitis is fortunately a reversible dental condition. This means that there is the possibility of treatment and return of the gums to a healthy condition. Therefore, if you detect that you have any red, swollen or bleeding gums then you must definitely visit a dentist in order to clean your teeth from dental plaque and tartar. If gingivitis continues untreated, then it is likely to develop into periodontitis.

Prevention of Gingivitis

The “key” to the prevention of gingivitis is proper and regular brushing, which means the timely and successful removal of all food debris from the dental surfaces, after the consumption of every meal. The movements that someone follows when brushing teeth should not be hasty or violent. The toothbrush must have a really small head. Brushing movements should be gentle, reciprocating (back and forth) and limited to two (or at most three) teeth. In this manner, one brushes every surface of the teeth, inside-out, front-back, but those of the back teeth, the chewing gums which means those that look like grooves – holes and slits.

Flossing is an equally essential means for the protection of the teeth in the majority of people. It is also fundamental to brush the back of our tongue, in which huge amounts of germs accumulate, causing a strong bad breath. Finally, interdental brushes that are specially designed to clean between the teeth are sometimes useful, especially when there are dental bridges.

To Conclude

Gingivitis is one of the most common types of periodontal disease, which can affect both children and adults. It is caused by bacterial plaque buildup due to poor oral hygiene, and in continuity can lead to the spread of dental bacteria in the patient’s gums.

Although experts generally agree that gingivitis itself is not contagious, people with gingivitis can spread the bacteria through contact with saliva.

Good oral hygiene habits – including frequent brushing, flossing and professional cleaning – are the first line of defense against the development and spread of gingivitis.

If you need to learn more about the condition of gingivitis and schedule a general checkup of your gums, contact the professional and experienced staff of City Dental Clinic. We are here to solve every dental problem that you are experiencing!

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