What is gingivitis and how to cure it - Clínica Dental Raslan

What is gingivitis

Dental gingivitis is an inflammatory gum disease caused basically by the accumulation of bacterial plaque in the gums. Gingivitis is a reversible disease if detected early and treated appropriately. your gums will return to their normal state.

Sometimes, gingivitis is not caused by bacterial plaque, but by other causes such as viral or fungal infections, allergies, other diseases (diabetes, leukemia, etc.), retained dental pieces, etc.

The greatest danger of gingivitis occurs when it is not treated in time and leads to periodontitis, which is a chronic disease of greater severity, more complex to treat and can cause the loss of some teeth.

See Periodontitis. 5 tips to prevent it

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What causes gingivitis

As mentioned above, one of the main causes of gingivitis is due to the effects of bacterial plaque deposits, an adhesive film composed mainly of bacteria, but also of saliva proteins, sugars and acids, (also a major cause of tooth decay) which accumulates on the teeth above and below the gums.

When plaque is not removed, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar (or calculus) that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, which become inflamed as the body’s natural immune response to invasion by foreign organisms.

Main symptoms of gingivitis:

Itching sensation, red, swollen, tender gums that bleed after brushing your teeth, and even bad breath are some of the most common symptoms of gingivitis.

Swollen and red, white or purple gums, instead of their usual pink color.
Bleeding gums during tooth brushing.
Pain on touch
Appearance of mouth ulcers.

Depending on the severity with which you suffer from this disease, you may notice one or more symptoms.

Risk factors for gingivitis

Gingivitis is a very common disease, most people have suffered from it at some time in their lives. Some of the factors that can increase the risk of suffering it are:

Poor oral care
Viral or fungal infection diseases
Crooked teeth that are difficult to clean
Smoking
Poor diet and lack of vitamin C
Crooked teeth that are difficult to clean
Hormonal changes; for example, those related to pregnancy, menopause, or the use of birth control pills
Genetics
Age

If your teeth often bleed when you brush, you may be suffering from gingivitis. Make an appointment at your trusted dental clinic for a complete check-up. Prevention is the best remedy for oral diseases.

How to cure gingivitis

Gingivitis is a very common pathology, and it has a simple treatment. So you’re probably wondering…. How to cure gingivitis?

Gingivitis in its initial stage can be easily treated since there are usually no bacterial plaque accumulations below the gum line.

Treatment to address a case of mild gingivitis is a prophylaxis or professional oral hygiene to reduce inflammation and improve your oral health by removing all tartar and bacteria from the surface of your teeth and gums.

Once the professional oral cleaning has been performed, you should repeat it after 8 or 10 days approximately, to check and prevent it from reappearing. In the case of more severe gingivitis, the time frame is shortened..

Can gingivitis be prevented at home?

Gingivitis can be prevented at home through good daily dental hygiene. Brush your teeth three times a day and brush your teeth three times a day. flossing, to remove plaque and food debris from between the teeth, for eliminate or prevent the formation of dental plaque, that generates the tartar that causes gingivitis.

Here are some tips to help you prevent gingivitis:

Brush your teeth 3 times a day for at least 2 minutes with a good brushing technique and a toothbrush that is less than 3 months old to prevent the formation of dental plaque.
Complete your dental cleaning with the use of dental floss or an interdental brush, especially before going to bed, to remove plaque between the gaps of the teeth, an area not accessible to the toothbrush.
Electric toothbrushes and dental irrigators are very effective in removing plaque and tartar.
Use a specific mouthwash recommended by a dentist.
Quit smoking. Tobacco attacks the gums and aggravates gingivitis.
Orthodontic treatment to position the teeth correctly facilitates brush access.
See your dentist regularly for a professional dental cleaning.

How to cure gingivitis if it progresses?

If gingivitis is not treated in time, it can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic, non-reversible disease that damages the structures that form the teeth and gums, leading to bone and tooth loss.

Although it is possible to stop the progression of the disease and restore the patient’s dental health, the procedures are much more complex. The periodontist will determine the most appropriate treatment, depending on the involvement of the various tooth and gum structures.

If the periodontitis is not advanced, treatment may consist of less invasive procedures, such as:

Scaling, using instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device to remove dental tartar and bacteria from the surface of the teeth and below the gum line.
Root planing smoothes the root surface to prevent further build-up of calculus and bacteria. It also helps the gums reconnect to the teeth.
The use of antibiotics to control bacterial infection.

If the periodontitis is advanced and the bone and tissue structures are damaged, you may need surgery.

Periodontal pocket reduction or flap surgery. Exposes tooth roots for better scaling and root planing.
Soft tissue grafts. It helps reduce gingival tissue loss, cover exposed roots and give teeth a better appearance.
Bone graft. This procedure is performed when periodontitis destroys the bone surrounding the root of the tooth. Helps prevent tooth loss by holding the tooth in place.

Prevention helps you maintain a healthy mouth

As we have seen in this article, gingivitis is a very common disease that is easy to cure if caught in time. There are a number of behaviors you can do on a regular basis at home to prevent the appearance of bacterial plaque that attacks the gums and causes them to become inflamed.

Brushing your teeth 3 times a day with a good brushing technique, or the use of electric toothbrushes and dental irrigators, not smoking, maintaining a proper diet, among others, will help us to keep our mouth healthy.

Visit your dentist regularly to check the condition of your teeth and have them professionally cleaned to avoid the possibility of suffering from gingivitis and, even worse, periodontitis, the treatment of which, as we have seen many times, ends up in more expensive and complex surgical procedures.

What is gingivitis and how is it cured?