Dr.sanaz bellucci
February 7, 2024
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Gingivitis Treatment And Symptoms / With Or Without Gum Pain
Table of Contents
Introduction
Gingivitis in gums is a common and mild disease of the gums (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness, swelling and inflammation in a part of the gums, especially around the base of the teeth.
Bleeding gums may accompany it during brushing. Considering that gingivitis can lead to gum disease called periodontitis and loss of teeth and their health and beauty, we should take it seriously.
The most common cause of gingivitis is improper oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth at least twice daily, flossing daily, using mouthwash, and having regular dental checkups help prevent gingivitis.
Gingivitis can be easily treated at home. The described home remedies are generally safe, but it is better to talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Factors that cause gum inflammation and gingivitis:
Plaque and decay
Most cases of swollen gums are caused by one cause: bacterial plaques; The thin and white layer accumulated in the gum line and on the surface of the teeth causes tooth decay and leads to gum infection.
When plaque builds up in an area and is not entirely cleared, it activates an immune response in the body that causes inflammation of the gums.
Calcified plaque is called a mass that only a dentist can remove.
Abscess
Tooth decay that has reached the dental nerve can lead to gum swelling and gingivitis near the tooth’s root. This problem is caused by the body’s attempt to eliminate the infection.
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Sensitivity and allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to toothpaste ingredients, foods, medicines, and even metal dental fillings can cause gums sensitivity, redness, and swelling.
Old or defective tooth filling
The sharp edges of the teeth are a good place for plaque to grow due to old age or defective fillings, and scaling these areas is very difficult and sometimes impossible.
These areas almost always have swollen gums and gingivitis around them, even in some people who maintain their oral hygiene best. Dental crowns are a clear example of how inflammation can develop around a restored tooth.
Not brushing along the gum line of a veneered tooth usually causes bacteria to build up around the edge of the tooth and quickly leads to gingivitis unless you clean the area regularly.
Related: “What Is The Cause Of Tooth Decay Despite Brushing? Demystifying“
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Hormones
Some women find that the level of hormones in their blood causes inflammation in the gums and gingivitis. These cases are usually temporary, and the longest are pregnancy-related cases.
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Irregular teeth
Crooked and irregular teeth are more at risk of gum inflammation and gingivitis than other teeth. Because it is more challenging to keep these teeth clean, and usually, some parts of them are not cleaned, which causes the accumulation of bacteria around them.
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Medicines
Some medications, such as those used for high blood pressure, cause an overgrowth of gingival fibrosis, which appears to be swollen and diseased gums. Most people who develop this problem see it on their lower front teeth, and the extra tissue is light pink to coral, not red color, which is a sign of infection.
Related “Tooth Infection Swelling“
Food shortages
Lack of vitamin C, B12, zinc, folic acid, and iron can cause painful gums and gingivitis around a tooth.
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Tooth development
Children whose permanent teeth are still growing may experience sore gums around a tooth. People whose wisdom teeth are growing outside the gums may also suffer from a partial infection of the gums.
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Gingivitis symptoms and swelling of the gums
The key to recognizing the symptoms is to know the normal and healthy shape of the gums, and after that, the points where gingivitis has developed should be determined.
Healthy gums:
- Light pink and coral color or the natural color of the gums in the whole mouth
- Smooth and polished gum line
- The sharp edges of the gum between two teeth
- No bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Absence of pain
- No unpleasant smell
Swollen gums:
- Usually dark pink, red, blue, or purple due to lack of oxygen in the blood
- Advancement of the gum margin on the teeth
- The widened edges of the gums between the teeth or the complete absence of the edge (presence of black triangles)
- receding gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Excruciating and severe pain
- Gum swelling
- Gum sensitivity
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
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Related: “How Do I Know What Kind Of Toothache I Have?-“
Gingivitis treatment
Your dentist may prescribe a fluoride mouthwash or an antibiotic to remove swollen gums. In severe cases, these treatment methods may be used:
Professional dental scaling
Suppose the gingival swelling is so severe that it has spread from the target tissue to the tissues around the tooth’s root. In that case, it may be necessary to use treatment methods similar to those used for periodontitis. During professional scaling, your dentist will use conventional tools and an ultrasound scaler to remove plaque, tartar, and decay that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing.
Related: “Timely Intervention/ How Can I Prevent The Spread Of Tooth Decay?“
With a stream of water spray, the ultrasound scaler removes the layers on the teeth and cleans their teeth quickly. This method dramatically reduces the effects of mass removal with conventional tools. Once the scaling is over, developing a strict and regular schedule for oral hygiene at home is still essential.
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surgery
If the patient suffers from advanced stages of gum disease, the dentist may prescribe treatment methods such as gum surgery.
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Care at home
Gingivitis and swollen gums can usually be treated entirely at home. For this, a person must be committed to adequately observing oral and dental hygiene and have a balanced diet.
Brushing and flossing: A suitable toothbrush and the correct brushing techniques are among the most critical factors in treating gum inflammation. Also, cleaning between the teeth and the gum line can only be done using dental floss; if you do not clean under the gums, their inflammation will never disappear.
Electric toothbrushes:
High-quality electric toothbrushes are more capable of removing bacterial plaque than manual toothbrushes, increasing your chances of curing gingivitis.
Topical mouthwashes: Natural essential oils are one of the ingredients of some over-the-counter mouthwashes. Many of these essential oils that are used in mouthwashes or toothpaste can have a destructive effect on bacteria and reduce gingivitis.
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Diet:
Increasing the number of vitamins in your diet, consuming more water and vegetables, and limiting the use of sugar can help your immune system be more effective in fighting infections such as gingivitis and swollen gums.
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How to prevent gingivitis?
Considering that maintaining oral and dental hygiene is very important to prevent gingivitis and other dental problems, before explaining about home remedies, it is better first to make sure that we are doing oral and dental care methods correctly.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily, and if you can, after every meal.
- You can use an electric toothbrush to ensure better teeth cleaning.
- Use a soft or very soft toothbrush and change your toothbrush every three months.
- Use natural dental floss and mouthwash.
- See a dentist at least once a year.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
- Limit sugar intake.
Which specialist treats gum disease?
Periodontists specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal diseases (Gingivitis and gingivitis) and placing dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in this field, including three years of further training beyond dental courses. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating gum diseases and are trained in periodontal cosmetic procedures.
These doctors are also skilled in the gum and bone surgery or gingivectomy, gum plastic surgery or gingivoplasty.
When you have gingivitis, the general dentist will clean the plaque on your teeth surface; if your problem is more acute and severe, he will refer you to a periodontist for specialized treatment
What pills and medicine are suitable for treating gum infections?
Antibiotics should be used to treat gum infections and periodontal diseases. For example, chlorhexidine mouthwash is a type of antibiotic and is very effective for treatment.
Other drugs, such as lidocaine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets, are also effective for inflammation and acute wounds.
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Conclusion
Gingivitis, or inflammation in the gums, is a type of gum disease and occurs when a natural layer containing bacteria (plaque) collects on the teeth and causes inflammation of the tissue around the gums. Plaque produces toxins that irritate the gums and destroy their health.
This can cause the gums to become inflamed, red or swollen, or bleed. This harmful bacterial plaque can lead to problems beyond gingivitis, such as weakened tooth enamel.
In America, 3 out of 4 people may experience gingivitis at least once. However, treatment of gingivitis is easily possible with proper oral and dental health care in the early stages.
If gingivitis is not treated, this disease can manifest in a more severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
Dr.sanaz bellucci
I am Sanaz Bellucci , a dentist. In this electronic magazine, I publish my collection of research and studies on various topics related to health and beauty that you may face with it.
You can also share your questions of interest with me so that I can give them complete and comprehensive answers. stay with me.
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Dr.sanaz bellucci
March 9, 2024