Gingivitis: What Is It? And How to Get Rid of It

We all have been very much aware of the health of our teeth. We quickly point out small cavities and get them restored, don’t we?

But we often forget to pay attention to the gums.

Gums or the tissues around the teeth are equally important for the overall health of the mouth.

Today we will have a look at gum diseases and preventive measures for healthy gums.

Few most common gum diseases are

Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Gingival hyperplasia

Gingivitis :

Gingivitis in simple words is the inflammation of the gums. It can either be localized that is associated with single or few teeth or generalized that is associated with multiple teeth.

A few signs and symptoms of Gingivitis that you can look for include

Redness in gums: if you are noticing a red area around the tooth margin it is a sign of inflammation in the gums.
Swollen gums: Inflammation leads to swelling. Hence swollen gums should not be neglected.
Bleeding gums: spontaneous bleeding or bleeding while brushing is one important sign of gingivitis. You need to visit your dentist if you notice such bleeding.
Bad breath: if you have noticed bad breath or malodor in your mouth, you should look for any of the above-mentioned signs. The Gingival inflammation needs to be taken care of in such situations.

Periodontitis :

Periodontitis is the inflammation of all the surrounding tissues of the tooth which includes the bone, gums, and ligaments that attach the tooth to the bone. Again it can either be localized or generalized involving multiple teeth.

A few signs of Periodontitis include

The recession of gum: if roots of teeth are visible due to the gum margin which is below the usual level, it is known as a recession of gums. It is the sign of inflammation of the underlying bone along with the gums.
Gingival pocket: your dentist will be able to look for a Gingival pocket if it is present associated with your teeth. The gingival pocket is formed because of the loss of attachment of gums to the underlined tooth structure.
Mobility of teeth: if the teeth are moving it suggests inadequate bone support. This loss of bone surrounding the tooth is mainly because of inflammation.

Gingival hyperplasia

Gingival hyperplasia is the overgrowth of the gums. It sometimes covers the majority of the tooth surface.

The Causes of Gingival hyperplasia are

Excessive plaque deposits – local plaque deposition can lead to swelling
Drug-induced Gingival hyperplasia – Certain medicines like phenytoin, cephalosporin certain calcium channel blockers can lead to drug-induced gum overgrowth.
Genetic factors – it could be hereditary which may or may not be detected during childhood. It will be manifested at hereditary Gingival fibromatosis.
Systemic factors – things like hormonal changes or other underlying issues can lead to Gingival overgrowth.

Pregnancy-induced Gingival hyperplasia
Puberty induced Gingival hyperplasia
Gingival hyperplasia associated with chronic diseases

Though the risk of gingival disease includes Systemic factors and other things, the primary aggravating factor is the local plaque deposits and calculus.

Plaque deposits accumulate on the tooth surface after every meal or snack. This thin film is rich in bacteria that lead to gum inflammation. These deposits eventually calcify and harden to form calculus or tartar. This tartar keeps damaging the gums over a period of time.

Prevention and Treatment for Gum disease

Maintaining the utmost oral hygiene is extremely essential to prevent gum disease
Rinse thoroughly after every meal
Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft toothbrush and follow proper brushing technique
Visit your dentist for regular cleaning and scaling treatment.
Your dentist may suggest minor treatments like flap surgery or gingivectomy depending on the situation of your gums.

For appointment you can always contact Microdent Dentistry.

Address: Ground Floor, block 4, Sarvadarshan Housing Society Opposite. Saraswat Bank, Nal Stop, Karve Road, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411004

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