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Gingivitis is a condition that can be triggered by several factors, as gingivitis is caused by poor oral hygiene, but also occurs with poor diet or disease. What symptoms does gingivitis cause? Can I cure my condition with home remedies?
Gingivitis – characteristics
Gingivitis is a non-destructive periodontal disease, but if left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. It is much more serious and can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Gingivitis is an increasingly frequently diagnosed dental ailment. It is not an age-related condition, as gingivitis can affect both the elderly and young children. Regardless of age, gingivitis should not be taken lightly and should be consulted with a dentist.
Untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, dentists agree that acute and chronic gingivitis leads to cardiological ailments, and negative respiratory symptoms may also appear. What factors cause gingivitis?
See also: The most common diseases of the teeth and gums
Gingivitis – causes
There are several causes that lead to gingivitis. One of the most important ones mentioned by dentists is improper hygiene of the teeth, tongue and the entire oral cavity. This is due to the fact that The most common cause of gingivitis is a build-up of plaque between and around the teeth.
Plaque triggers an immune response that can eventually destroy gum tissue. It can also eventually lead to further complications, including tooth loss. Dental plaque is a biofilm that naturally builds up on the teeth. It usually results from the colonization of bacteria that try to stick to the smooth surface of the tooth.
These bacteria can help protect your mouth from colonizing harmful microorganisms, but plaque can also cause tooth decay and periodontal problems such as gingivitis and chronic periodontitis, gum infections. If plaque is not properly removed, it can harden, forming tartar at the base of the teeth, near the gums. It is yellow in color and can only be removed by a professional (dentist).
Plaque and tartar eventually irritate the gums, causing inflammation of the gums around the base of the teeth. This means that your gums can bleed easily.
In order to prevent cavities and inflammations within the oral cavity, it is worth taking care of the proper quality of the bacterial flora, so order the LACTIBIANE Buccodental for oral cavity infections and caries today.
You should take care not only of your teeth, it is equally important to care for the gums, i.e. flossing between the teeth, rinsing the mouth after each tooth brushing. There are various types of preparations available on the market, which can be purchased in drugstores, but also in pharmacies. We recommend, for example, Georganics Natural Dental Floss with Activated Carbon, which you can buy at Medonet Market.
Gingivitis can also be the result of an improper diet that is deficient in the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain healthy teeth and, of course, the gums (for example, vitamin C deficiency is linked to gum disease).
Gingivitis can also result from taking certain types of drugs, especially nephrological drugs cause severe drying of the oral mucosa, which unfortunately results in more frequent gum injuries, including gingivitis. Ailment is one of the symptoms of an illness such as stress.
Gingivitis can also result from mechanical trauma, for example from an incorrectly fitted prosthesis, orthodontic appliance. According to some dentists, gingivitis can develop when you brush your teeth too much.
Other causes and risk factors for gingivitis.
- Hormone changes: This can occur during puberty, menopause, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy. The gums may become more sensitive, increasing the risk of inflammation.
- Certain diseases: cancer, diabetes, and HIV are associated with a higher risk of gingivitis.
- Smoking: Gingivitis is more common in regular smokers than in non-smokers.
- Age: The risk of gingivitis increases with age.
- Family history: People whose parent or parents have had gingivitis are also more likely to develop them. This is believed to be due to the type of bacteria we acquire early in life.
Do you want to take care of your gums? Try Wild Rose – YANGO dietary supplement available at an attractive price on Medonet Market.
See also: Oral hygiene is an important component of well-being and health. How to take care of gums at home?
Gingivitis – symptoms
Symptoms of gingivitis include red and swollen gums that bleed easily when you brush your teeth.
Gingivitis often resolves with good oral hygiene, such as longer and more frequent brushing and flossing. Additionally, an antiseptic mouthwash can help.
In mild cases of gingivitis, patients may not even know they have gingivitis because the symptoms are mild. However, the condition must be taken seriously and dealt with immediately.
Other signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:
- bright red or purple gums;
- tender gums that may be painful to touch;
- foul or bad breath;
- swelling of the gums;
- receding gums;
- soft gums.
See also: Swollen gums
Gingivitis – diagnosis
A dentist or dental hygienist will check for symptoms such as plaque and tartar in the mouth.
It may also be advisable to check for symptoms of periodontitis. This can be done with x-rays or periodontal probing using an instrument that measures the depth of the pockets around the tooth.
Gingivitis – treatment
Acute gingivitis is not only a painful ailment, but also a long process. In a situation where gingivitis is at the initial stage, it is worth changing the toothpaste to a specialized one with properties aimed at caring for the gums. It is also worth buying floss and a good mouthwash.
In acute inflammation, the doctor may decide not only to apply a medicine locally, but also to prescribe an antibiotic to the patient. Of course, systematic and proper oral hygiene is necessary, brushing teeth at least twice a day, frequent flossing of the space between the teeth and rinsing the mouth. In the event that gingivitis often returns, it is necessary to discontinue all stimulants at least for the duration of the treatment.
For inflammation of the oral cavity, it is worth using Dentomit®gel for inflammatory conditions of the oral mucosa and gums, which can be purchased at a favorable price at Medonet Market.
If dental inflammation is the result of a disease, the dentist may advise the patient to take medications to increase immunity. It happens that untreated gingivitis leads to the so-called gingival hypertrophy, in such a situation it is necessary to remove them surgically. There are also home remedies for gingivitis, and these are mainly herbal rinses, for example with sage or oak bark.
For people with the problem of gingivitis, dental irrigators are recommended, eg Vitamma Aquarius wireless dental irrigator, which will allow you to take better care of oral hygiene.
See also: How many percent Poles have healthy gums? These statistics are terrifying
Gingivitis – complications
Treating gingivitis and following your dentist’s recommendations can usually prevent complications. However, without treatment, gum disease can spread and affect tissues, teeth, and bones.
Complications include:
- abscess, infection of the gums or jawbone;
- periodontitis, a more serious condition that can lead to loss of bones and teeth;
- recurrent gingivitis in the mouth, where a bacterial infection leads to ulceration of the gums.
To prevent complications, reach for the SeptOral Med Healing Concentrate with a disinfecting effect.
Chronic gingivitis is believed to be associated with certain systemic diseases such as respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies suggest that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis may enter the bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting the heart, lungs, and other parts of the body. However, more research is needed in this area to confirm this link.
Ulcerative necrotizing gingivitis (NUG) is a severe form of gingivitis that causes painful, infected, bleeding gums and sores. The disease is rare today in developed countries, although it is still common in developing countries where citizens have poor nutrition and suffer from poor living conditions.
See also: Do you brush your teeth often in a hurry? You can hurt yourself
Gingivitis – prevention
Good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed – and flossing your teeth at least once a day. It’s even better if you brush your teeth after each meal or snack, or as directed by your dentist. Flossing before brushing removes loose food debris and bacteria.
Regular visits to the dentist. It is worth visiting a dentist or dental hygienist regularly to check our teeth, usually every six to 12 months. If we have risk factors that increase the risk of periodontitis – such as dry mouth, taking certain medications, or smoking – we may need professional dental care more often. Annual dental x-rays can help identify diseases that are not visible on a visual dental examination and monitor changes in the health of your teeth.
Good health practices. Practices such as eating healthily and controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes are also important for keeping your gums healthy. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and starch in food, driving them to release acids that attack tooth enamel. Junk food and sweets contain a lot of extra sugar and starch. It is recommended that you avoid them to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Proper nutrition helps your immune system fight infections. Eating foods that contain antioxidants – such as those containing vitamin E (vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables) and vitamin C (citrus fruits, broccoli, potatoes) – can help your body repair damaged tissue.
In addition, it is recommended to stop smoking. Smoking is not only harmful to your heart and lungs, it can damage your teeth and gums. Smokers are seven times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers, and smoking can reduce the chances of some treatments being successful. Equally important to the health of our gums is stress. It can make it harder for the body’s immune system to fight infection.
Avoiding clenching and grinding of the teeth. These actions may exert excessive force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and may increase the rate of destruction of these tissues.