Gingivitis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Gingivitis
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Gingivitis

• Gingivitis is a gum disease caused by bacterial
  infection of the tissues surrounding the gums and
  teeth. The growth of bacteria in these areas is
  mainly triggered by the lack of proper oral
  hygiene. The sugary and starchy components
  present in our food react with the bacteria
  present inside the mouth to form a soft, sticky,
  colourless film, known as plaque. Regular
  brushing and flossing helps to eliminate this
  plaque. In case it is not cleaned properly, it
  hardens to form tartar, which becomes a breeding
  ground for bacteria. Hormonal changes can also
  be responsible for gingivitis during pregnancy.
  Other factors that can contribute towards
  gingivitis are poor nutrition and side effects of
  medicines. Early signs of this disease are not
  painful, but as it progresses, the gums may hurt
  a lot.

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Causes of Gingivitis

• Aggressive tooth brushing
• Blood disorders like leukaemia
• Deficiency in vitamins especially Vitamin C
• Dry mouth
• Formation of plaque that can cause tooth decay
  and gum infection
• Hormonal changes (especially during
  pregnancy, puberty, and menopause) which makes
  the blood tissues in the gums to be more
  vulnerable to bacterial infection
• Incorrect dental prosthetic
• Malocclusion (improper positioning of the upper
  and lower teeth when the jaw is closed)
• Medications that can cause gum disease such as
  anti-seizure drugs

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Causes of Gingivitis
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• Mouth breathing that leaves the gums unprotected
  and can cause irritation and inflammation
• Overlapping, crooked, or rotated teeth
• Poor dental hygiene
• Poor nutrition and eating habits that increase
  plaque formation
• Stress that can cause damage to the immune system
• Smoking or use of tobacco products
• Reaction to oral contraceptives
• Weakened circulation due to diabetes mellitus
  which affects the ability of the gums to heal

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Symptoms

• The bacteria that grow in tartar tend to irritate
  the gum at the base of the teeth, called gingiva,
  which in turn, gives rise to a number of annoying
  symptoms. Gingivitis is commonly known
  as bleeding gums. Therefore, one of the most
  obvious signs is that the gums start bleeding
  easily. It is a particularly common occurrence
  while brushing or flossing.
• Red and swollen gums is another clear sign of
  gingivitis. If the gums are badly inflamed, then
  they turn soft and puffy. Occasionally, the gums
  may become extremely tender and sensitive.
• When the gums are healthy, then their tissue is
  firm, and they are pale pink in colour. If
  infected, the colour changes to bright red or
  purplish red.
• Receding gums is another problem faced by people
  suffering from gingivitis.
• Sometimes, mouth sores may develop on the gum
  surface.
• All the above mentioned symptoms could be
  accompanied by bad breath, or a bad taste in the
  mouth due to the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

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Diagnosis of Gingivitis

• Based on the signs and symptoms you show or tell
  your dentist, he or she will usually do an
  examination of the gums for any swelling,
  bleeding, and also checking the teeth for
  movement and any sensitivity. To be able to
  determine the severity of the disease, a
  periodontal probe (a tiny ruler that is inserted
  into teeth pockets) is used - the deeper the
  pockets, the more serious the disease. Your bite
  will also be assessed and full mouth X-rays will
  be done to determine the level of underlying bone
  and if any bone is lost. After the examination,
  the dentist or periodontist will give
  recommendations on how the gingivitis can be
  treated because there are different treatment
  options depending on the stage or severity of the
  disease. However, your dentist may also recommend
  a medical evaluation to determine any health
  problems if the cause of the gingivitis is still
  not clear.

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Treatments

• If you observe any signs of gingivitis, you must
  visit a dentist as soon as possible for proper
  treatment. The first step of treatment is deep
  dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar
  hidden under the gums. Various specialized dental
  instruments are used for this purpose, and the
  technique is called scaling. It may cause some
  discomfort as the gums are already tender because
  of tartar build up. Sometimes, misaligned teeth
  or poorly fitted crowns make it difficult to
  clean the plaque with brushing. If any such
  problem is responsible for causing gingivitis,
  then it needs to be corrected. The treatment
  should be followed by adequate dental care at
  home. Your dentist may even suggest some changes
  in brushing and flossing techniques. He may also
  prescribe an antiseptic mouth rinse to control
  any further growth of bacteria.

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Treatments
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• Diet is also an important factor in the cure of
  this disease. You should eat crispy fibrous
  foods, such as apples and carrots that can
  massage the gums well and keep them healthy. Rich
  sources of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, can
  also cure gingivitis. You must stay away from
  sugary foods and high fat foods because they
  promote plaque formation. The signs of
  gingivitis are often mild and we tend to ignore
  them. If left untreated, then it can lead to a
  more serious form of gum disease and even tooth
  loss. Recurrence of the signs can be prevented
  with good oral care. Brush your teeth with a
  soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day. Regular
  flossing is also important as it removes trapped
  food particles from those areas where a
  toothbrush cannot reach. Thus, the chances of
  plaque formation are reduced to a great extent.

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