Gingivitis is a dental concern involving gum inflammation. The main cause of gingivitis is failure to commit to regular oral hygiene that prevents plaque formation. Plaque buildup on teeth causes gum infection, which leads to inflammation. This condition is popular among adult patients and causes mild symptoms which require emergency gum treatments Campbell to prevent its progression into severe complications.
The main cause of gum inflammation is bacterial buildup. Gums that have gingivitis are swollen, inflamed, and may bleed when damaged mechanically when brushing. You can resolve your gingivitis by brushing your teeth longer and more frequently. You may also need antiseptic mouthwash to maintain a bacteria-free mouth. You may also need to visit the clinic to collaborate with your dentist for the best clinical outcomes.
Table of Contents
Types of gingivitis
The primary forms of gingivitis are two.
- Dental plaque: When you don’t wash your teeth, you might get gingivitis. Plaque builds up when dental hygiene procedures are not followed. Your gums may become inflamed by plaque, resulting in discomfort, swelling, and discoloration.
- Nonplaque: An infection brought on by bacteria, viruses, or fungi can result in induced gingival lesions. Other people experience allergic responses to oral foreign substances that lead to this kind of gingivitis.
Your dentist will perform various diagnostic protocols to accurately determine the type of gingivitis you have before developing a treatment approach to fix your dental issues. It would help if you had treatment for your gingivitis, regardless of type, to prevent periodontitis, a severe condition that may result in adversities like loss of teeth.
What are the causes of gingivitis?
Accumulation of bacterial plaque between teeth and gums causes an immune response that may lead to gum tissue destruction. However, there are other causes and risk factors that promote gingivitis. For example:
- Hormone changes: This factor is most common in women during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. Hormone fluctuations increase gum sensitivity, thus promoting inflammation.
- Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV may increase your risk of gum complications.
- Certain medications: Various drugs, especially those reducing saliva production, may negatively affect oral health.
- Smokers: Active smoking affects gum cells, increasing their vulnerability to inflammation.
- Age: Gingivitis is more common in older patients.
- Genetics: A positive family history of gingivitis means that you may have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
The signs and symptoms of gingivitis
Most patients with gingivitis complain about gum inflammation and irritation. Other typical signs of inflammation include:
- Bleeding gums after brushing.
- Gum discoloration
- Bad breath
- Tenderness upon gum palpation
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
Treatment. Good oral hygiene can resolve your gingivitis. You may need professional help to eliminate persistent symptoms. Your dentist may perform root scaling to remove plaque buildup and advise on the importance of tooth brushing and mouth flossing against plaque and tartar formation. Your dentist will also insist on regular dental checkups to monitor your oral health and detect any gum infection in its early stages for improved clinical outcomes. Contact Ueno Center to confirm your gum status and immediately receive dental health instructions that may treat your gingivitis and restore tooth function.