What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a minor form of periodontal disease (gum disease) which causes swelling, redness and irritation of the gums. Since gingivitis tends to mild, one may not know that he or she is suffering from the condition. However, gingivitis must be taken seriously while prompt actions for its treatment are also important, as the condition can lead periodontitis, a serious disease of gum. Periodontitis can later cause tooth loss. Poor oral hygiene is a common trigger of gingivitis. Good dental hygiene can help prevent the condition.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
In case your gums bleed easily, are dusky red or puffy, then chances are that you have the condition. Since gingivitis is rarely painful, as mentioned earlier, one may not even know he or she has gingivitis.
Few of its common symptoms are:
- Puffy, soft gums.
- Swollen gums.
- Tender gums (sometimes).
- Receding gums.
- Bad breath.
- Gums of dusky red color.
- Gums that tend to bleed easily.
What causes gingivitis?
Poor oral hygiene, as mentioned earlier is the common reason that leads gingivitis. It encourages the formation of plaque.
What are the risk factors of gingivitis?
We all can experience gingivitis. However certain factors that make you more likely to develop gingivitis include:
- Older age.
- Diabetes.
- Tobacco use.
- Decreased immunity.
- Some medications.
- Poor oral health.
- Dry mouth.
- Certain fungal and viral infections.
- Substance abuse.
- Poor nutrition.
- Ill-fitting dental restorations.
- Hormonal changes.
What are the potential complications of gingivitis?
In case gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to serious gum disease which tends to spread to the underlying bone and tissue, such a serious condition can then cause tooth loss.
How is gingivitis diagnosed?
Usually, the dentists diagnose the condition on the basis of the patient’s symptoms and thorough physical examination of the tongue, mouth, gums and teeth. Moreover, the dentist will check for tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth whilst check the gums for easy bleeding, puffiness and redness.
How is gingivitis treated?
Usually, prompt treatment tends to prevent the progression of gingivitis and reverses its symptoms. Moreover, effective treatment tends to need professional care which is followed by good oral hygiene.
Furthermore, professional care includes:
- Dental cleaning in order to remove entire traces of tartar and plaque through a procedure called scaling.
- Teaching on effective flossing techniques and home brushing.
- Frequent professional cleaning and checkups.
- Possibly fixing fillings or crowns which make good oral hygiene a problem.
Badly fitting crowns, misaligned teeth or bridges can irritate the gums whilst causing difficulty to get rid of plaque during your personal home care. In case such problems lead to gingivitis, then a dentist can suggest fixing such problems. Furthermore, in most cases, gingivitis resolves after professional cleaning, however continuation of personal oral hygiene also plays a vital role. Ask your dentist to help prepare an effective program for you.
By : Natural Health News
