Gingivitis: What It Is, Causes, Diagnosis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria, which leads to redness and swelling. The condition can be mild or severe, depending on how long it has been untreated. It usually occurs when plaque builds up along the gum line- this will cause a person's mouth to have a bad taste in their mouth. Gingivitis is often treated with professional dental care that includes scaling and cleaning teeth as well as antibiotics if necessary. Today Dr. Ghassemi will discuss with us the Causes and diagnosis of gingivitis.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an oral disease characterized by the inflammation of the gums. It is caused by plaque buildup on teeth, which can lead to tartar buildup and eventually tooth decay. If left untreated, gum disease may eventually cause tooth loss.

Gum disease symptoms include swollen gums that bleed easily with brushing or flossing teeth, pain or tenderness in gums, swelling or redness in gums.

The primary cause of Gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Other factors leading to gum disease are genetics and smoking tobacco products.

Who gets gum disease?

Gum disease is very common. Almost half of all adults older than 30 have some kind of gum disease. Gum disease can strike at any age, but it primarily affects people between the ages of 35 and 44. The risk of having gum disease increases with age. Women are slightly more likely than men to develop gum disease and smoking and diabetes tend to increase the likelihood that a person will get gum disease, according to the American Dental Association.

Gum disease is also more likely to occur in people who have a condition known as neutropenia, which causes a lower-than-normal number of a certain type of white blood cells. Conditions that suppress the immune system or affect blood circulation can put a person at even greater risk for gum disease.

What causes gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a common dental problem that occurs when the tissues surrounding your teeth become inflamed. The condition usually develops gradually, sometimes without you even realizing it. 

Having plaque build-up between your teeth or on your tongue is one of the main causes of gingivitis. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria and sugars from the food you eat, and when it's not removed by brushing or flossing it can lead to gum disease.

However, there are several factors that increase your risk of developing gingivitis.

• Eating disorders 
• Systemic diseases (conditions that affect the entire body) 
• Poor oral hygiene 
• Smoking and tobacco use 
• Trauma to the mouth 
• Medications, such as steroids and cancer treatment drugs
• Strep throat

What are the signs of gingivitis?

Symptoms of gingivitis include swollen, reddened, sensitive gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing. The gums often develop a deep pocket between them and the teeth which can fill with plaque and food particles. Gingivitis usually causes no pain but if left untreated it can lead to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease in which tiny fibers called 'pockets' around the teeth become inflamed and infected.

How does a dentist diagnose gingivitis?

Gingivitis is diagnosed by looking on the gums for signs of redness, swelling or bleeding. The dentist will ask about any oral hygiene habits that are being followed at home and any other concerns you may have.

In general, your dentist will keep an eye on your mouth for signs of inflammation or infection. He or she may also check for bleeding from the tissues lining the mouth and remove plaque from teeth during routine teeth cleaning appointments to look for areas where there might be swelling or pockets forming below the gum line making it difficult to clean.

During a checkup, your dentist will look for signs of gingivitis. He or she will take note if your gums are tender to the touch, swollen, bright red in color, receding from the teeth, or have areas where they appear to be pulling away. 

How is gingivitis treated?

Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontal disease, meaning that it's the first sign that your teeth are being attacked. Because you have developed gingivitis, it means that you have some plaque build-up around your teeth.

Your dentist may be able to help reduce your symptoms by removing any plaque via a thorough cleaning or through surgery. Your dentist might also provide antibiotics if you have an infection. To treat the condition, you will need to follow specialist advice on how to keep your gums healthy at home. There are many steps that can be taken to go about treating this condition and keeping your breath fresh for the rest of the day!

The most common way to treat gingivitis is by getting professional cleanings done by the dentist. During these cleanings, the teeth are scraped with a metal tool to remove any plaque build-up and tartar on the tooth. The dentist will also give you tips on how to brush your teeth better at home to ensure you get rid of any bacteria in-between visits.

What are the Prevention tips for gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a nearly unavoidable ailment, as about half of the adult population is bound to at least have some form of gingival overgrowth. Although gingivitis cannot be completely avoided thanks to its high prevalence rate, there are several tips that can help prevent gingivitis from occurring.

Practice proper brushing and flossing techniques: Prevention from gingivitis starts with effective cleaning practices, which is why choosing the right toothbrush and floss plays a major role in preventing gum disease. 

Watch what you eat!: Another tip in preventing gum disease is by avoiding certain food items. For instance, foods with a low pH level should be avoided as they promote bacterial growth.

Practice proper oral care habits: Prevention starts with maintaining healthy oral hygiene habits, so it's vital to practice proper daily care including brushing, flossing, and rinsing. 

Avoid smoking: This increases your chances of contracting periodontal disease and having tooth loss later on in life. If there is a history of gum disease.

Conclusion

Gingivitis is often a chronic condition that may require long-term treatment. If you have any of the symptoms, call your dentist for an examination and to discuss further treatment options. Readers from the Downtown San Diego area are recommended to visit Dr. Ghassemi's well-established dental clinic Fifth Avenue Dental Arts.