This oral disease must be treated in time to avoid complications.
Many times, leading a busy life and not eating at home can cause us to neglect good oral habits. If unhealthy habits such as smoking are added to this , the result can be the appearance of gingivitis .
In this article we will learn what this gum disease consists of, as well as its causes, symptoms and possible treatment which, as we will see, will be based especially on prevention.
- It may interest you: “Bleeding gums: causes, symptoms and solutions”
Gingivitis: what is it?
Gingivitis is a disease of the gums that causes irritation, redness, and swelling or inflammation , specifically in the part of the gums that surrounds the base of the teeth.
It is a mild and frequent disease, but it must be treated quickly to avoid complications, since gingivitis can lead to a more serious disease, called “periodontitis”, as well as tooth loss.
Causes
The most frequent cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene , that is, poor oral hygiene that favors the formation of plaque on the teeth, which causes inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds them. This is how plaque can cause gingivitis.
Plaque that forms on teeth is an invisible sticky film made up mostly of bacteria that forms on teeth when starches and sugars from food interact with bacteria normally found in the mouth. Plaque needs to be removed daily as it reforms very quickly.
1. Tartar
If we do not maintain good oral hygiene, the plaque ends up turning into tartar . As it does? Plaque left on your teeth can harden below the gum line and turn into tartar, which collects bacteria.
Tartar makes it harder to remove plaque, creates a shield for bacteria, and causes irritation along the gum line . It is necessary to carry out a good dental cleaning with a professional to remove tartar.
2. inflammation
If the problem continues, the gums become inflamed and cause gingivitis . There will be more irritation the longer plaque and tartar remain on the teeth. This irritation will involve the part of the gum that surrounds the base of the teeth, causing inflammation.
If left untreated, over time, the gums will swell and bleed more and more easily. In addition, dental caries may appear. Finally, and if the problem worsens, as we have seen, gingivitis can become periodontitis and, over time, cause tooth loss.
Symptoms
The symptoms (and signs) that gingivitis includes are:
- Inflamed, swollen, red, or tender gums
- Dark red or purplish gums
- Gums that recede or pull away from the tooth
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Permanent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- loose teeth
- receding gums
- sensitive gums
- Visible pus around the teeth and gums
- Also, it should be noted that gingivitis can sometimes be painless. That’s why it’s important to look at these signs and symptoms.
Healthy gums, on the other hand, are firm and pale pink, and are well supported around the teeth.
Treatments
The most important treatment for gingivitis is prevention , that is, preventing it from appearing.
1. Prevention
One habit that can help prevent or reverse gingivitis is good oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and getting regular dental checkups .
Thus, broadly speaking, there are three healthy habits that will help prevent gingivitis.
1.1. good oral hygiene
This involves brushing your teeth at least twice a day (in the morning and before going to sleep), although preferably three times. The duration of brushing should be at least two minutes. Flossing can also help, at least once a day. If the floss is used before brushing, it will remove loose food particles and bacteria.
1. 2. Regular dental visits
It is advisable to visit the dentist or dental hygienist periodically, to get a cleaning. You should generally visit every 6 to 12 months.
If you also have risk factors that increase your chance of getting gingivitis, you may need more frequent professional cleaning. Some of the risk factors are: having a dry mouth, the consumption of certain medications and smoking.
In addition, another good preventive measure can be to have a dental x-ray once a year, which allows identifying diseases that are not detected with a visual examination of the teeth.
1. 3. Good health practices
Some healthy practices such as healthy eating help maintain good oral health. On the other hand, if you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar level will also be important to maintain good gum health.
2. Treatment
If gingivitis develops, the dentist’s mission will be to reduce the inflammation of the gums. To do this, he will carry out a professional oral cleaning to remove tartar . This cleaning will include:
- Ultrasound to remove tartar.
- Prophylaxis paste to increase fluoride levels, improve cleaning and remove stains.
- Interproximal strips to improve hygiene in interdental spaces.
In addition, the treatment can be complemented with antibacterial mouthwashes and mouthwashes with chlorhexidine for a week. If necessary, misaligned teeth can also be repaired or dental appliances replaced in subsequent sessions, with the aim of avoiding predisposition to gingivitis.
Bibliographic references
- Doncel, C., Vidal, M., & Del Valle, M.C. (2011). Relationship between oral hygiene and gingivitis in young people. Rev Cub Med Mil 40(1), Havana City.
- Mayo Clinic. (2017). Gingivitis.
- Parra, S. (2016). What is gingivitis: how to cure inflammation of the gums. Healthy, Very Healthy.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
