Do your gums look red and often bleed when you brush, but aren’t they painful? If so, you could have gingivitis.
Gingivitis is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the mouth. It affects approximately 50-100% of adults and children at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, gingivitis can be treated if caught early. However, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious disease that could mean losing your teeth.
Here are some telltale signs of gingivitis and how you can work with a dentist to treat it.
What does gingivitis look like?
The term gingivitis tells us what to expect. It is when the gums (gums) are inflamed (-itis). It is essentially the body’s immune response to the germs in the sticky biofilm or plaque on the surface of the teeth.
You may notice subtle redness of the gums, near where the teeth meet or the part of the gums between the teeth. You may notice mild to moderate swelling of the gums. Or your gums may bleed when you brush or floss.
It can affect the gums near a few or many teeth. Sometimes, it can lead to bad breath (halitosis).
Gingivitis generally develops over time. And you’ll see the more common form start to develop if you haven’t brushed your teeth well (and removed plaque) for a few days. Gingivitis is painless at first.
But if left untreated, it can lead to a more serious form of the disease called periodontitis. This happens when you also lose some of the bone that holds the teeth in place. If periodontitis is left untreated, your teeth loosen and may fall out.
How did I get it?
Several factors increase the chances and severity of gingivitis, in addition to poor oral hygiene.
For example, changes in sex hormones during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the use of oral contraceptives can increase the severity of gingivitis. This is due to increased blood flow or a change in the microbial composition of the plaque.
Other conditions that can make gingivitis worse include diabetes, leukemia, if you don’t produce much saliva, and certain medications.
An infectious disease could also be behind gingivitis. Bacterial infections (such as strep, syphilis and tuberculosis). viral infections (herpes, human papillomavirus, hand and foot-and-mouth disease). and fungal infections (candida thrush) can all include gingivitis. But unlike the more common type, gingivitis associated with infectious disease can also be accompanied by fever and enlarged lymph nodes.
A new growth – whether benign (non-cancerous), pre-cancerous (could develop into cancer) or cancer – can present as localized lesions with inflamed gums.
Finally, gingivitis can be traumatic. That is, if you brush your teeth too hard, use cocaine or other drugs, or burn your mouth while eating or drinking hot food and drink, you may see acute gum inflammation.
Can I manage it at home?
Only to a limited extent. If you get into an early stage (one to three days of symptoms), brushing your teeth well will help remove plaque, and thus some of the germs that cause the inflammation.
But if you leave it any longer and the plaque starts to calcify, a dentist or dental hygienist will need to remove these hardened, rough surface deposits known as calculus.
They use tools called ultrasonic scalers or manual scalers to remove the calculus and overlying plaque. After this treatment, the signs of gingivitis usually subside.
About the author
Dileep Sharma is Professor and Discipline Leader in Oral Health at the University of Newcastle.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read it original article.
However, if there are underlying health issues contributing to gingivitis, they will need to be addressed to see any improvement.
For example, this could be treating an infection before, during or after the peel. You may also be prescribed a special mouthwash to help heal or relieve symptoms.
If you develop or are diagnosed with periodontitis, you will be referred for specific treatment.
Can mouthwash help?
Mouthwash often helps reduce the bacterial load on plaque. But you can’t rely on it as your sole remedy. Often, however, it is recommended after your gingivitis has been professionally treated, during the healing phase.
Your dental professional may recommend chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily for up to two weeks. You can buy it at the supermarket or pharmacy.
But long-term use of mouthwash to manage gingivitis (or for other reasons) is not recommended. Prolonged use of chlorhexidine mouthwash can lead to side effects such as tooth staining and altered sense of taste.
Some mouthwashes also contain a small percentage of alcohol, which may not be the best choice for people with dry mouth, as alcohol can be dehydrating. You may also want to avoid them on children, who may not like the burning sensation. There are alcohol-free versions that are just as effective.
How can I prevent gingivitis from coming back?
You can prevent gingivitis, and most oral diseases, by brushing your teeth well twice a day and flossing once a day.
Regular dental checkups also give dental professionals the perfect opportunity to detect and manage the majority of gingivitis (and tooth decay) before it progresses.
