Gingivitis: Symptoms, Causes, Risk factors, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

 

 Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. It occurs when bacteria and plaque accumulate on teeth, leading to illness. Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are typical signs.

Gingivitis should be treated as soon as possible and with significant consideration. Bone loss is not a result of gingivitis. However, if left untreated, it can result in tooth loss and periodontitis, a much more dangerous gum disease.

The most frequent cause of gingivitis is not maintaining the cleanliness and health of your teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing twice a day and scheduling routine dental examinations, can prevent and reverse gingivitis.

Also Read: Toothache: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is gingivitis. It appears when germs, tartar, and plaque accumulate on your teeth, resulting in bleeding, and swollen, and red gums.

Gingivitis is manageable, especially with a dentist's assistance. However, periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that involves bone loss in your jaw, can develop from gingivitis if treatment is not received.

Symptoms:

Gums that are in good health are firm and pale pink. They round the teeth securely. Gingivitis symptoms include:

• Puffy or swollen gums

• Gums that are darker than normal, or gums that are bright red or dark red

• Gums that bleed readily when flossing or brushing

• Sensitive gums

• Bad breath

Causes:

Poor dental hygiene, which allows plaque to accumulate on teeth, is the most frequent cause of gingivitis. The surrounding gum tissues enlarge as a result.

Gingivitis can result from plaque in the following ways:

• On your teeth, plaque develops. Plaque is a colorless, sticky film. It is mostly composed of bacteria that grow on your teeth after eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Plaque builds quickly, thus it must be removed daily.

• Tartar is formed from plaque. Tartar can form behind your gumline if plaque remains on your teeth. Bacteria are then gathered by this calculus or tartar. Tartar irritates the gumline, making plaque more difficult to remove, and forms a barrier for bacteria. Tartar removal requires a professional dental cleaning.

• Gingiva swells and becomes itchy. The portion of your gums surrounding the bases of your teeth is called the gingiva. The gingiva becomes more irritated the longer plaque and tartar are on your teeth. Your gums swell and bleed readily over time. We call this gingivitis. Tooth decay, periodontitis, and tooth loss can result from untreated gingivitis.

Risk factors:

Anyone can get gingivitis, which is a common condition. The following variables may raise your chance of developing gingivitis:

• Bad dental hygiene practices

• Tobacco chewing or smoking

• Older age

• Dry mouth

• Poor nutrition, especially insufficient vitamin C intake

• Restorations, such as veneers, dental implants, bridges, or fillings, to teeth that are misaligned or in bad shape

• Teeth that are crooked and difficult to clean

• Diseases that impair immunity, such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS, or cancer therapy

• Some medications, such as calcium channel blockers used to treat angina, high blood pressure, and other disorders, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others) for epileptic seizures.

• Changes in hormones, including those brought on by pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, or the use of birth control tablets

• Certain genes

• Illnesses, including certain fungal and viral infections

Complications:

If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a gum disease that extends to the bone and underlying tissue. Tooth loss may result from this even more serious condition.

Chronic gum disease may be linked to conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and respiratory disorders that impact the entire body.

 According to some studies, the bacteria that cause periodontitis may enter your bloodstream through your gums and impact your heart, lungs, and other body parts. However, more study is needed to confirm the link.

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, or trench mouth, is a severe form of gingivitis that results in ulcers and painful, bleeding gums. Although trench mouth is frequent in developing nations with inadequate nutrition and substandard living conditions, it is uncommon in developed countries nowadays.

Diagnosis:

You should schedule a checkup with a dentist if you are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis. Your dentist will examine your oral cavity to check for:

• Bleeding

• Symptoms of infection, like swelling and redness

• Loose teeth

• Gum recession is the term for gums that are receding from your teeth

• Dental X-rays can reveal whether gum disease has impacted the jawbone underlying if your dentist suspects it. You can potentially be sent to a periodontist (a specialist in gum disease) by your dentist.

How is gingivitis treated?

Controlling the infection and restoring healthy teeth and gums are the goals of gingivitis treatment. Your teeth will be meticulously cleaned by your dentist or periodontist to get rid of dangerous bacteria, tartar, and plaque. Other therapies for gingivitis include:

• Scaling and root planing: This process goes deeper under your gums than a standard dental cleaning. Bacteria and tartar are eliminated by scaling. Your teeth's root surfaces are smoothed by planing, which also keeps microorganisms from adhering.

• Improved oral hygiene: A decent dental cleaning usually clears up gingivitis. But when you get back home, you have to maintain the cleanliness. You'll get assistance setting up checkups and learn how to clean your teeth properly.

• Antimicrobial mouthwash: Using an antimicrobial mouthwash to rinse can aid in the destruction of bacteria that cause disease.

• Dental work repair: If any crowns, fillings, or bridges protrude or don't fit properly, your dentist may repair or remove them. Smoother surfaces are simpler to maintain.

Prevention:

Maintaining proper dental hygiene can lower your risk of developing gingivitis:

• Take proper care of your teeth. This entails flossing at least once a day and brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed. Even better, brush as your dentist recommends or after each meal or snack.

• Avoid using tobacco products or smoking

• To get rid of microorganisms in between your teeth, floss daily

• Limit alcohol- and sugar-containing foods and beverages

• Visit a dentist for examinations at least once a year, and more frequently if you experience any symptoms.

• Make an effort to live a healthy life. Gum health is also supported by behaviors like controlling blood sugar levels if you have diabetes and consuming a nutritious diet.

References:

• Periodontal (gum) disease. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease. Accessed May 5, 2023.

• Gum disease. American Dental Association. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/gum-disease/. Accessed May 5, 2023.

• Gingivitis. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dental-disorders/periodontal-disorders/gingivitis#. Accessed May 5, 2023.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Periodontal Disease (https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html). Accessed 1/23/2023.

• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments (https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/periodontal-disease_0.pdf). Accessed 1/23/2023.

• American Dental Association. Gingivitis (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gingivitis). Accessed 1/23/2023.

• Elsevier Point of Care. Gingivitis. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 5, 2023.

• Zhou MX (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 22, 2023.

• Gum disease information. American Academy of Periodontology. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-information. Accessed May 5, 2023.