What is Gingivitis? Symptoms and How to Cure Gingivitis Dental Treatment

What is Gingivitis? Symptoms and How to Cure Gingivitis Dental Treatment

Gingivitis is an oral disease that results in gum inflammation, and almost everybody experiences the symptoms at some point in their lives.  Gingivitis is typically a non-destructive type of mouth disease which causes inflammation. Still, if it’s left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more severe disease, and may end up with a loss of teeth. 

In this article, we will be going over the symptoms of gingivitis and how to cure it through dental treatments.

Photo credits: Pavel Danilyuk

Causes and Risk Factors of Gingivitis

One of the most common causes of gingivitis is the formation and accumulation of bacterial plaque around and between teeth. The harmful plaque ends up affecting the immune response and leads to the decay of your gums and tissues. Bacterial plaque is a biofilm that forms on the surface of the teeth. The colonizing bacteria tend to stick to the smooth surface and results in the production of harmful microorganisms. 

A few risk factors that may result in gingivitis are: 

• • • Changes in hormones that occur during puberty, menopause, or pregnancy
    • Some diseases like cancer and diabetes may be contributing factors to gingivitis 
    • Consumption of drugs and other forms of oral medication can result in excessive growth of gum tissues 
    • Age is also a contributing factor. The older you get, the higher the chances of getting gingivitis 
    • Regular smokers have a higher risk of getting gingivitis as compared to non-smokers. 

Symptoms of Gingivitis

Here is a list of signs and symptoms that indicate gingivitis:

• • • Bright purple or red gums 
    • If your gums tend to bleed every time you brush your teeth or floss
    • If the gums are tender and you experience pain and discomfort when you touch it 
    • Bad breath 
    • Swollen or inflamed gums 
    • Receding gums 

Treatment for Gingivitis

If gingivitis is diagnosed at an early stage, you can easily get a proper dental treatment which can reverse the effect of the disease. 

Through dental procedures like scaling, plaque can be removed from the areas around the teeth. However, the process is painful and uncomfortable, especially if the build-up is too much. 

Your dental expert will explain the importance of oral hygiene and how to properly brush and floss your teeth. To properly care for your teeth at home, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. Through regular use of antiseptic mouthwash, your mouth will be fresh and clean from all harmful bacteria. 

If you notice gum irritation and it is becoming a challenge for you to chew and swallow food, then book a consultation appointment with your dentist and get a dental checkup.