Gingivitis is a common oral health issue characterised by the infection and swelling of gums. In the UK, most adults have some degree of gingivitis and most people experience it at least once. It is uncommon in children.
If you have gum disease or gingivitis, your gums bleed while brushing your teeth and you are more likely to have halitosis, or bad breath. To be precise, gingivitis is an initial stage of gum disease. If left untreated, one may develop a severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. This can affect deeper tissues that support and hold teeth. If periodontitis is left untreated, the jaw bone is damaged and you may eventually lose your teeth.
Causes of gingivitis
Most cases of this gum disease are caused by build-up or accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a greasy and sticky substance that is full of bacteria. Some bacteria are harmless, while some are pathogenic and can lead to gingivitis. If you do not get rid of the plaque by brushing your teeth daily, you are more likely to have gingivitis.
Signs & Symptoms
1) Redness and swelling of gums
2) Bleeding gums on brushing or flossing
3) Unpleasant taste
4) Bad breath
5) Toothache
6) Small gum abscesses
If you have painful gums with swelling and bleeding, you should immediately get in touch with your dentist. Your dentist may carry out a thorough dental examination and dental X-rays (if required) to check the overall condition of your teeth and jawbone.
Prevention & Treatment of Gingivitis
Proper oral and dental hygiene is what all you require to prevent and treating gingivitis. Oral hygiene includes brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily and flossing at least once daily. More importantly, you need to undergo regular dental check-ups. You can use a mouthwash to cleanse the overall oral cavity.
Moderate cases of gingivitis need proper dental assessment. Your dentist will be able to cleanse your teeth and remove plaque or tartar. Also, they will guide you on how to clean your teeth efficiently so that plaque accumulation is prevented. Severe cases of gingivitis need dental and medical intervention. In advanced cases, one may require surgical intervention, which is usually performed by a specialist.
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