Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a gum disease occurring as a result of an infection in the gums. This ailment, mostly caused by bacteria, tartar, and plaques accumulating on the tooth surface, manifests itself with symptoms such as swelling, redness, and aching in the gums. Besides plaques, hormonal factors, eating habits, and medications used can also cause gingivitis. Inflamed gums lose their pink color and take on a red and swollen appearance. In cases of gingivitis, bleeding can be observed while the person is brushing their teeth or using dental floss. Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, serving patients in Adana, explained for you what gingivitis is and how it is treated.

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis, or gingivitis in medical terminology, refers to the infection and inflammation occurring in the gum due to bacteria or plaques. It is a gum disease showing symptoms such as irritation, swelling, bleeding, and redness. If gingivitis is not treated, it progresses and can cause serious problems such as gum recession.

Since gingivitis, which can be seen in people of almost every age, often progresses without causing pain, it is difficult to notice at an early stage. To diagnose slowly progressing gingivitis, it may be necessary to go to a dentist check-up.

The most obvious symptom of gingivitis is bleeding occurring in the gums. Bad breath, redness, and swelling are also potentially accepted as symptoms of gingivitis.

What Are the Causes of Gingivitis?

The most important cause underlying gingivitis cases is the plaques accumulating on tooth surfaces. Besides plaques, bacteria and tartar can also cause inflammation in the gum. When teeth are not brushed regularly, food residues accumulating in the part of the teeth close to the gums start to form plaque. These plaques, which harden over time with saliva, turn into tartar. Tartar also starts to negatively affect the gums. The gum tissue shows reactions such as swelling and puffiness to protect itself. Besides this, some systemic diseases are also among the causes of chronic gingivitis. Also, factors such as some medications used and smoking consumption are shown among the causes of gingivitis. If we need to list the causes of gingivitis:

• Plaques accumulating on tooth surfaces
• Bacteria
• Tartar
• Insufficient oral hygiene
• Smoking
• Some medications used
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• And genetic factors...

What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

In patients experiencing gingivitis, redness, swelling, and gum bleeding are among the most common symptoms. Besides this, bad breath, gum recession, and consequences resulting from this are also evaluated among the symptoms of gingivitis. If we need to list the most common gingivitis symptoms:

• Bleeding in gums
• Sensitivity and bleeding felt while brushing teeth
• Gums becoming red and swollen
• Bad smell in the mouth
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
• Gum recession
• Wobbling and spacing in teeth due to gum recession

Under normal conditions, gums are pink in color and have an orange peel appearance. In mild inflammations, gums take on a shiny appearance and a red color. Besides this, gum swelling and staining on teeth may occur.

The most important symptom of gingivitis is gum bleeding. The patient may encounter bleeding in the gums while brushing teeth or when they wake up in the morning. Gum bleeding usually progresses painlessly. However, objects touching swollen and sensitized gums can cause pain. Bad breath is also among the symptoms that should not be ignored.

If gingivitis cases are not treated, the inflammation can turn into periodontitis over time. Periodontitis disease is a disease where gingivitis progresses much more severely. It can lead to dangers such as aesthetic problems, tissue and tooth loss, and systemic diseases.

How Is Gingivitis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of gingivitis can be made as a result of a physical examination by specialist dentists in the light of the complaints experienced by the patient. During this examination, the dentist also makes an evaluation regarding the patient's general oral health. Then, treatment planning is carried out in line with the patient's needs. Whether surgical intervention is required apart from dental scaling is also decided in this examination.

Where necessary, the dentist may request an X-ray film from the patient. If gingivitis originates from metabolic diseases, diseases related to the immune system, genetic disorders, or blood diseases, treatment planning should be done together with the branch physician looking after that disease. 

How Is Gingivitis Treated?

Treatment methods are preferred according to the type of gingivitis. First, tartar and plaques accumulating on tooth surfaces must be cleaned. In this way, the patient's oral hygiene is ensured. It is not possible to clean tartar by brushing. For this, the dentist needs to perform a cleaning using ultrasonic devices. After the cleaning of dental plaque and tartar, the patient is informed about care practices.

Brushing teeth regularly twice a day, using an interdental brush, and using dental floss help you maintain your oral hygiene. In mild cases, these practices are sufficient for the gums to regain their former health. If the inflammation in the gums originates from an infection, antibiotic applications can be resorted to.

In aggressive and advanced periodontitis cases, inflammation can reach deep tissues and leads to the reduction of the bone tissue supporting the teeth. This can cause the patient to lose their sound teeth. It is a health problem that can be seen at a young age or in advancing ages. The depth of the pocket around the tooth and bone damage are high. In chronic and aggressive cases, treatment progresses in a more difficult and complicated way. Surgical intervention may be required. Patients should go to the dentist for a check-up every six months and have plaque cleaning done. When necessary attention is paid to oral hygiene, it is possible to prevent gingivitis.

What Is Good for Gingivitis?

When gingivitis occurs, greater attention must be paid to oral hygiene. If we need to list the precautions a person can take against gingivitis:

• Brushing teeth regularly
• Using an interdental brush and dental floss
• Using salt water and antiseptic mouthwashes
• Gargling with green tea
• Quitting smoking
• Feeding on foods rich in probiotics
• Reducing the consumption of sugary foods
• Applying gum massage
• Taking Vitamin C supplements in necessary cases is good for gingivitis.