Do you have red, frequently bleeding gums that do not hurt when you brush them? If so, you may have gingivitis, a gum disease.
One of the most prevalent inflammatory mouth conditions is gingivitis. An estimated 50–100% of adults and children may experience it at some point in their life.
Fortunately, gingivitis is treatable if detected early. But, if treatment is not received, it may progress to a more serious condition that could result in tooth loss.
Here are some indicators that you have gingivitis and how to treat it with a dentist.
How does gingivitis appear?
What to anticipate is indicated by the phrase gingivitis. It occurs when the gingiva, or gums, become inflamed (-itis). In essence, it is the body's immunological reaction to the bacteria found in the sticky plaque or biofilm that covers the tooth surface.
You may observe a slight redness of the gums around the area where they meet the teeth or in the space between the teeth. You may observe mild to moderate gum edema. Alternatively, when you brush or floss, your gums may bleed.
The gums near one or more teeth may be impacted. Halitosis, or foul breath, can occasionally result from it.
Usually, gingivitis progresses with time. And if you have not brushed your teeth properly (and have not gotten rid of the plaque) for a few days, you will notice the most prevalent type beginning to appear. Initially, gingivitis is painless.
However, if left untreated, it can result in periodontitis, a more serious type of the illness. At this point, you also start to lose some of the bone that supports your teeth. Untreated periodontitis causes your teeth to become loose and may eventually fall out.
How did I obtain it?
Beyond poor dental hygiene, a number of variables enhance the likelihood and severity of gingivitis.
For example, the severity of gingivitis may be exacerbated by changes in sex hormones throughout adolescence, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the use of oral contraceptives. This is brought on by either an alteration in the microbial makeup of plaque or an increase in blood flow.
Other disorders that can exacerbate gingivitis include leukemia, diabetes, low salivary flow, and several drugs.
Gingivitis may also be caused by an infectious condition. Gingivitis can be caused by bacterial infections (including syphilis, TB, and streptococcal illness), viral infections (such herpes, human papillomavirus, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease), and fungal infections (like candida thrush). However, unlike the more prevalent kind, fever and swollen lymph nodes can also accompany infectious disease-related gingivitis.
Localized lesions with swollen gums can be the first sign of a new growth, whether it is benign (non-cancerous), precancerous (may progress to cancer), or malignant.
Lastly, gingivitis may cause trauma. In other words, you may experience acute gum inflammation if you consume cocaine or other drugs, brush your teeth too vigorously, or burn your mouth while consuming hot food or beverages.
Is it something I can do at home?
Just to a certain degree. Brushing your teeth thoroughly will help get rid of plaque and some of the bacteria that cause inflammation if you catch it early (one to three days of symptoms).
However, a dentist or dental hygienist will have to remove calculus—hardened, abrasive surface deposits—if you wait any longer and the plaque starts to calcify.
The calculus and underlying plaque are removed using instruments known as manual or ultrasonic scalers. The symptoms of gingivitis usually go away after this treatment.
To notice any improvement, it will be necessary to address any underlying medical conditions that may be causing gingivitis.
Treating an illness prior to, during, or following scaling is one example of this. Additionally, you may be prescribed a specific mouthwash to aid in the healing process or alleviate symptoms.
You will be referred for specialized treatment if you have a growth or are found to have periodontitis.
Is mouthwash beneficial?
Mouthwash frequently aids in lowering the plaque's bacterial burden. However, you cannot use it as your exclusive form of treatment. However, it is frequently advised during the healing phase following expert treatment for your gingivitis.
For a maximum of two weeks, your dentist may advise using chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day. This is available at the pharmacy or grocery.
However, long-term use of mouthwash to treat gingivitis (or for other purposes) is not recommended. Long-term usage of chlorhexidine mouthwash might cause adverse effects such tooth discoloration and taste changes.
A little amount of alcohol is also present in certain mouthwashes, which may not be the greatest choice for those who have dry mouths because alcohol can dehydrate the mouth. Children may dislike the scorching feeling, so you might want to keep them away from them as well. There are equally effective ones without alcohol.
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