What is gingivitis? Common disease that affects almost all adults

Do your gums look red and often bleed when you brush them, but they don’t hurt? If so, you may have the gum disease gingivitis.

Gingivitis is one of the most common inflammatory oral diseases. It affects an estimated 50-100% of adults and children at some point in their lives.

Fortunately, gingivitis can be treated if detected early. However, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious illness, which could mean you lose your life. teeth,

Here are some of the symptoms of gingivitis and how you can work with a dental professional to treat it.

What does gingivitis look like?

The term gingivitis tells us what to expect. This happens when the gums (gingiva) become inflamed (-itis). This is essentially the body’s immune response to the microbes present in the sticky biofilm or plaque on the surface of the teeth.

You may notice slight redness of the gums, near where they meet teethOr the part of the gums between the teeth. You may notice mild to moderate swelling of the gums. Or your gums may bleed when you brush or floss.

It may affect the gums near a few or multiple teeth. Sometimes, this may cause bad breath (halitosis).

Gingivitis usually develops over time. And if you haven’t brushed your teeth thoroughly (and haven’t removed plaque) for a few days, you may notice the most common form of it begin to develop. Gingivitis is initially painless.

But if left untreated, it can lead to a more serious form of the disease called periodontitis. This happens when you also lose some of the bone that holds your teeth in place. If periodontitis is not treated, your teeth can become loose and fall out.

How did I get it?

In addition to poor oral hygiene, several factors increase the likelihood and severity of gingivitis.

For example, changes in sex hormones during puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy And oral contraceptive use may increase the severity of gingivitis. This is caused by increased blood flow or changes in the microbial composition of the plaque.

Other conditions that can worsen gingivitis include diabetes, leukemia, if you don’t produce much saliva, and certain medications.

Any infectious disease can also be the cause of gingivitis. Bacterial infections (such as streptococcal disease, syphilis, and tuberculosis); Viral infections (herpes, human papillomavirus, hand-foot-and-mouth disease); And fungal infection (Candida thrush) can all involve gingivitis. But unlike the more common types, infectious disease-related gingivitis can also come with a fever and enlarged lymph nodes.

A new growth – whether benign (non-cancerous), pre-cancerous (can develop into cancer) or cancerous – may present as localized lesions with swollen gums.

Finally, gingivitis can be painful. That is, if you brush your teeth too hard, use cocaine or other drugs, or burn your mouth while eating or drinking hot foods and drinks, you could have a serious problem. Swelling Of gums.

Can I manage this at home?

Only to a limited extent. If you’re diagnosed in the early stages (one to three days after symptoms), brushing your teeth thoroughly will help remove plaque and some of the germs that cause it. Swelling,

But if you leave it any longer and the plaque begins to calcify, a dentist or dental hygienist will need to remove these hard, rough, superficial deposits, called calculus.

They use a device called an ultrasonic scaler or a manual scaler to remove the stones and superficial layers. After this treatment, the symptoms of gingivitis usually resolve.

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However, if there are underlying health issues that contribute to gingivitis, they will need to be addressed to see any improvement.

For example, it could be treating an infection before, during, or after scaling. You may also be prescribed a special mouthwash to heal or relieve symptoms.

If you have growths, or are diagnosed with periodontitis, you will be referred for specialist treatment.

Can mouthwash help?

Mouthwash often helps reduce the bacterial load in plaque. But you can’t rely on it as your only treatment. However, it is often recommended after your gingivitis has been professionally treated, during the healing phase.

Your dental health professional may recommend chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily for up to two weeks. You can buy it in supermarkets or pharmacies.

But using mouthwash for a long time to manage gingivitis (or for other reasons) is not advised. Long-term use of chlorhexidine mouthwash may cause side effects such as stains on teeth and changes in the sense of taste.

Some mouthwashes also contain a small percentage of alcohol, which may not be the best choice for people with dry mouth as the alcohol can be dehydrating. You may also want to avoid these in children, who don’t like irritation. There are also alcohol-free versions, which are just as effective.

How do I prevent gingivitis from returning?

You can prevent gingivitis and most oral diseases by thoroughly brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.

Regular dental checkups give dental professionals an ideal opportunity to detect and manage most gingivitis (and tooth decay) before it goes any further.