Description

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Causes irritation, redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums, which is the part of the rubber around the base of the teeth. It is important to take gingivitis seriously and treat immediately. Gingivitis does not cause bone loss. But it is not treated, it can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.

The most common cause of gingivitis is not to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent and reverse gingivitis.

Symptoms

Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. They fit tightly around the teeth. The symptoms of gingivitis include:

  • Inflamed or swollen gums.
  • Bright red or dark red gums, or gums that are darker than usual.
  • Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
  • Sensitivity in the gums.
  • The bad breath.

When to see a dentist

If you notice any of the symptoms of gum disease, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing the damage of gingivitis and the non-achievement of periodontitis. Your dentist may recommend that you see a periodontist if your symptoms are not improving. This is a dentist with advanced training who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the gums.

Causes

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor, care of teeth and gums, allowing the buildup of plaque on teeth. This causes inflammation of the surrounding gum tissues.

Here's how plaque can lead to gingivitis:

  • Formation of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that has no color. It is composed mainly of bacteria that form on the teeth after eating starches and sugars in food. The plate should be removed every day because it is way quickly.
  • Plaque turns into tartar. The plaque that remains on the teeth can harden under your gumline into tartar. This scale is also known as calculus, then picks up the bacteria. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove, it creates a protective shield for the bacteria and irritates the gums. Need professional dental cleaning to remove tartar.
  • The gums become irritated and inflamed. The gingiva is the part of your gum around the base of the teeth. The longer plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, the more they irritate the gums. At the time, the gums swell and bleed easily. This is known as gingivitis. If not treated, gingivitis can lead to dental caries, periodontitis, and tooth loss.

Risk factors

Gingivitis is common, and anyone can develop. Factors that may increase your risk of gingivitis include:

  • Good oral care habits.
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco.
  • Advanced age.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Poor nutrition, including not getting enough vitamin C.
  • Repairs to teeth that do not fit properly or are in poor condition, such as fillings, bridges, dental implants or veneers.
  • Crooked teeth that are difficult to clean.
  • Conditions that lower immunity, such as leukemia, HIV / AIDS or cancer treatment.
  • Certain medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, other) for epileptic seizures and some calcium channel blockers used for angina, high blood pressure and other conditions.
  • Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy, the menstrual cycle or the use of birth control pills.
  • Certain genes.
  • Medical conditions, such as certain viral and fungal infections.

Complications

Gingivitis is not treated it can lead to gum disease that is spread to the underlying tissue and bone, called periodontitis. This is a much more serious condition that may lead to the loss of teeth.

Course of the disease of the gums may be related to some of the diseases that affect the entire body, such as respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis. Some research suggests that the bacteria responsible for gum disease can enter the bloodstream through the tissue of the gums, it can affect the heart, lungs, and other parts of your body. But more studies are needed to confirm a link.

Trench mouth, also known as ulcerative necrotizing gingivitis, or NUG, it is a severe form of gingivitis that causes painful, infection, bleeding gums and ulcers. Trench mouth is rare today in developed countries, although it is common in developing countries that have poor nutrition and poor living conditions.

Prevention

To prevent gingivitis:

  • Practice good oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day — in the morning and before going to bed and floss at least once a day. Better yet, brush after every meal or snack or as your dentist recommends. The use of dental floss before you brush to clean away loose food particles and bacteria.
  • Go to the dentist regularly. Consult your dentist or dental hygienist regularly for cleanings, usually every 6 to 12 months. If you have risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis — such as dryness of the mouth, taking certain medications, or smoking, you may also need a professional cleaning more often. Annual dental X-rays can help to identify the diseases that are not seen by a visual dental exam and monitor the changes in your dental health.
  • Take steps to lead a healthy lifestyle. Practices such as healthy eating and managing your blood sugar if you have diabetes, for example, are also important to support the health of the gums.

Diagnosis

Dentists usually diagnose gingivitis based on:

  • Review your dental and medical history and conditions that may contribute to your symptoms.
  • Looking at the teeth, gums, mouth and tongue are signs of the plate, irritation, or swelling.
  • The measurement of the pocket depth of the groove between your gums and teeth. A dental probe is inserted at the side of the tooth below the gum line, usually in multiple sites in your mouth. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). Pockets deeper than 4 mm, it may mean that the disease of the gums.
  • Dental X-rays to check for bone loss in the areas where your dentist sees pockets.
  • Other tests as needed. If it is not clear what has caused your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that you get a medical evaluation to rule out other health conditions. If the gum disease is more, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist. This is a dentist with advanced training who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the gums.

Treatment

Prompt treatment usually reverses the symptoms of gingivitis and prevents that leads to more severe disease of the gums and loss of teeth. You have the best chance for successful treatment when also practicing good oral care daily, and to stop using tobacco.

Professional gingivitis care includes:

  • Dental Cleaning. His first professional cleaning includes the removal of all traces of plaque, tartar and bacterial products. This procedure is known as scaling and root planing. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the surface of the teeth and under the gums. Root planing removes the bacteria which occur by the inflammation and irritation, and softens the surface of the root. This is discouraged to a greater accumulation of plaque and bacteria, and allows for adequate healing. The procedure can be done using the instrument, a laser or an ultrasonic device.
  • Any necessary dental repairs. Crooked teeth or poorly fitting crowns, bridges, or other repairs dental can irritate the gums and make it harder to remove plaque during daily oral care. If the problems with your teeth or dental repairs play a part in gingivitis, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems.
  • Permanent care. Gingivitis usually disappear after a thorough professional cleaning — as long as you follow a good oral care at home. Your dentist will help you plan an effective at-home program and a schedule for regular checkups and cleaning.

If you follow your dentist's suggestions and regularly brushing and flossing your teeth healthy gum tissue should return within days or weeks.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Steps you can take at home to prevent and reverse gingivitis include:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day or, even better, after every meal or snack.
  • The use of a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three months.
  • Think of the use of an electric toothbrush, which can remove the plaque and tartar best.
  • Floss daily. If you have a hard time handling dental floss, try a floss holder. Or use dental floss with a toothpick, a brush or a stick designed to clean between the teeth. Work with your dentist or dental hygienist to determine the best dental tool that suits your needs.
  • The use of a mouth rinse to reduce plaque between teeth.
  • Get regular professional dental cleanings on a schedule recommended by your dentist.
  • Not smoking or chewing tobacco.

Preparing for your appointment

Follow your dentist's recommended schedule for regular check-ups. If you notice any of the symptoms of gum disease, make an appointment with your dentist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to do to prepare.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms you have, including those that do not seem to be related to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, such as any medical conditions you may have.
  • All the medicines you take, including vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, and dosage.
  • Questions to ask your dentist to make the most of your time together.

Some questions to ask your dentist may include:

  • Do you think that gum disease is the cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Does my dental insurance cover the treatment you are recommending?
  • What are the options for the approach that you're suggesting?
  • What steps can I take at home to keep your gums and teeth healthy?
  • What type of toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss recommend?
  • Do you recommend the use of mouth rinses?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your dentist

Your dentist may ask you questions about your symptoms, such as:

  • When do they begin to feel the symptoms?
  • Have you been feeling these symptoms all the time or only once in a while?
  • How often do you brush your teeth?
  • How often do you floss your teeth?
  • How often do you see a dentist?
  • What medical conditions do you have?
  • What medications do you take?

Preparing and hoping questions will help you make the most of your time.

Symptoms and treatment of Gingivitis