Gingivitis usually develops due to a bacterial infection caused by plaque overgrowth. Other viral or fungal infections can also cause it. Treatment may depend on the severity.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, usually caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can become a more serious infection known as periodontitis.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are leading causes of tooth loss in adults, according to the American Dental Association.
Gingivitis is usually caused by overgrowth of dental plaque. In addition to improper dental hygiene, there can be many contributing factors, including:
There are some types of gum infections that cause gingivitis that are not related to plaque overgrowth. These include:
- certain viral or fungal infections, such as thrush
- an impacted tooth or a tooth that doesn’t fully erupt (if this happens, the gum flap over the tooth can trap debris and cause gingivitis)
Your gums actually attach to the teeth at a lower point than the gum edges we see. This forms a small space called a sulcus. Food and plaque can get trapped in this space and cause gum infection or gingivitis.
Plaque is a thin film of bacteria. It is constantly forming on the surface of your teeth. As the plaque progresses, it hardens and becomes stone. You can develop a gum infection when plaque extends below the gum line.
If left unchecked, gingivitis can cause the gums to separate from the teeth. This can cause:
- injury to the soft tissue and bones that support the teeth
- the tooth to become loose and unstable
- the loss of the tooth if the infection progresses
The following are risk factors for gingivitis and periodontitis:
Many people are unaware that they have gum disease. It is possible to have gingivitis without symptoms. However, the following can be symptoms of gum disease:
- gums that are red, tender, or swollen;
- gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- loose teeth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite (malocclusion)
- pus between your teeth and gums
- pain when chewing
- sensitive teeth
- some dentures that no longer fit
- bad breath that doesn’t go away after you brush your teeth
During a dental exam, your gums will be probed with a small ruler.
- This detection is a way of checking for inflammation.
- It measures any pockets around your teeth. A typical depth is 1 to 3 millimeters.
- Your dentist may also order x-rays to check for bone loss.
Talk to your dentist about your risk factors for gum disease, as well as your symptoms. This can help diagnose gingivitis. If gingivitis is present, you may be referred to a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating gum disease.
You must practice good oral hygiene to treat gingivitis. You should also cut down on smoking if you smoke and manage your diabetes if you live with the condition. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but a doctor can help you create a quit plan that works for you.
Other treatments include:
- deep cleaning of your teeth
- antibiotic drugs
- surgery
Dental cleaning
There are many techniques that can be used to deep clean your teeth without surgery. All remove plaque and tartar to prevent gum irritation:
- Peeling. Dental scaling removes tartar from above and below the gum line.
- Root planing. This smoothes rough spots and removes plaque and calculus from the root surface.
- Laser. This treatment can remove the stone with less pain and bleeding than scaling and root planing.
Medicines
A number of medications can be used to treat gum disease:
- Antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine can be used to disinfect your mouth.
- Timed release antiseptic chips containing chlorhexidine can be inserted into pockets after root planing.
- Antibiotic microspheres made with minocycline can be inserted into pockets after scaling and planing.
- Oral antibiotics can be used to treat stubborn areas of gum inflammation.
- Doxycyclinean antibiotic, can help prevent enzymes from causing damage to teeth.
Surgery
If your gingivitis is severe, especially if it has caused gum or bone loss, surgery may be needed. Types of gum surgery performed by a periodontist include:
- Flap surgery. Flap surgery is a procedure where the gums are lifted back while plaque and calculus are removed from deeper pockets. The gums are then sutured in place to fit snugly around the tooth.
- Bone and tissue grafts. Grafting can be used when the teeth and jaw are too damaged to heal.
- Gum graft surgery uses tissue from the roof of your mouth to cover the exposed tooth root. This helps prevent additional gum and bone loss.
- For a bone graft, your doctor will start with a procedure similar to flap surgery, but place a bone graft to encourage your body to regenerate any lost jawbone.
- Dental crown lengthening. Some people with gingivitis may have excess gum tissue. If this is the case, a periodontist can reshape your gum and bone tissue to expose more of your teeth. This may also be necessary before certain cosmetic or restorative procedures on your teeth.
Proper and consistent oral hygiene can prevent gum disease. This includes:
- they visit the dentist regularly
- brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- flossing your teeth every day
A balanced diet is also important in achieving and maintaining dental health.
