Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection or inflammation of the gums, ligaments, bones and nerves that surround the teeth. The word periodontal means 'around the tooth'. Each tooth is embedded in the gums or gingiva and attached to the bone by tissue. Periodontal disease is a serious condition that could lead to major tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is a family of related diseases caused by bacterial infections. The diseases can result in the destruction of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It is caused by bad oral hygiene, which leads to a build up of plaque.
There are other factors that can lead to gingivitis, including smoking, aging and diabetes. There may also be a genetic predisposition towards gingivitis, and conditions such as stress, pregnancy, substance abuse and certain medication may cause this ailment. Bacteria in the dental plaque irritates the gums and causes the infection.
When your body’s immune defense system kicks in against the bacteria, the gums become inflamed. Gingivitis does not usually cause the sufferer any pain or discomfort. Because there is no pain involved, it is important to recognize the symptoms, such as red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. There may also be separating of the gums where the infection has set in.
If left untreated, infection will eventually reach the roots of the teeth. The plaque along the gum and on the roots of the teeth will become infected. There is also a type of gingivitis called trench mouth. With this infection, heavy bleeding of the gums occurs. This is a bacterial infection, but is not contagious.
Treatment for trench mouth includes antibiotic mouthwashes and the removal of tartar from the teeth. In very rare cases, gum surgery may be necessary. Gingivitis can be prevented in most cases by brushing teeth and flossing after every meal. A professional teeth cleaning every six months is also a great prevention strategy. If the cause of gingivitis is illness, then only your dentist can treat it.
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If your gums are puffy, dusky red and bleed easily, you may have gingivitis. Because gingivitis is seldom painful, you can have gingivitis without even knowing it. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:
Swollen gums
Soft, puffy gums
Receding gums
Occasionally, tender gums
Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss, sometimes seen as redness or pinkness on your brush or floss
A change in the color of your gums from a healthy pink to dusky red
Bad breath
Thorough flossing and brushing can prevent gingivitis. Tartar control toothpaste, though not scientifically evaluated, may also help with prevention. Some types of antibacterial mouthwash may also be helpful. The most effective ones contain the ingredient chlorhexidine. Most traditional mouthwashes contain high amounts of alcohol, which may cause alcohol burn. These mouthwashes can be very irritating to already inflamed gums. They also do not get rid of sulphur-containing compounds that cause bad breath. Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or chlorine dioxide will get rid of these substances and also remove bacteria.
Studies have shown that brushing can prevent gingivitis in adults and children. Flossing appears not to help in children, though it's a good habit for them to form. However, people with diseases that make gingivitis more likely (such as diabetes) shouldn't try to prevent it with good oral hygiene alone. Treating the disease itself is very important in preventing gingivitis.
Once plaque has turned to tartar, only a dentist can remove it. Dentists recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned every year or six months. Plaque and tartar removal can also be the treatment for early gingivitis. Once the plaque and tartar are gone, the inflammation tends to subside quickly.
If the disease develops into periodontitis, periodontal surgery may be needed. This involves opening up the gums to get at the infected area. Infected tissue is removed, and the root of the threatened tooth is scaled (the tartar is scraped off). Sometimes this can be done without actually cutting the gum. Really severe disease might even require bone grafts.
Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis can't be cured, but it goes away on its own after about two weeks. Pregnancy tumours can be removed by a dentist.
Trench mouth, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), can be treated with appropriate antibiotics and thorough tooth and gum cleaning by a dental professional. Early treatment by your dentist is recommended.
Postmenopausal women who have desquamative gingivitis may benefit from hormone replacement therapy.