Gingerly Approaching Gum Disease: Gingivitis

Have you ever envied a friend’s dazzling smile, thinking how blessed they were to have straight white teeth? Well, it doesn’t come easy. Maintaining oral hygiene takes minimal yet consistent effort. Oral hygiene is extremely important if one wants to avoid dental problems and complications. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can help keep the mouth and gums, fresh, healthy and free of dental disease and bad breath. You’ll also be rewarded with a beautiful accessory: a lovely smile! Poor dental habits can lead to oral problems, which, if left unchecked, can have serious consequences. Gingivitis inflammation of the gums, is a common complication of inconsistent oral hygiene.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis or more commonly known as gum disease, occurs due to poor oral hygiene. It falls under the earlier stages of gum disease and in some cases, can be so mild that most people aren’t even aware of it. This doesn’t mean that one should become complacent and wait for it to go away on its own. Gum disease if left unchecked can lead to further complications that impact overall well being and hence should be addressed immediately.

Symptoms of gingivitis

Have your gums become red, painful and swollen? If yes, you need to book an appointment with your nearest dentist and get an examination as these are signs of gingivitis. Your teeth are attached to the gums at a lower point than is visible to us. This creates small space known as sulcus. When we eat, food and plaque gets trapped in this space. If this is not properly and regularly cleaned out it can lead to gum infection. The bacteria inside the mouth will infect the tissue around the teeth. At this stage the gums begin to exhibit symptoms such as redness, swelling and in some cases, even bleeding. In mild cases of gum disease, the patient may not experience any discomfort or see any visible signs. In case you begin exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below, book an appointment with your periodontist at once.

• Sore or tender gums that are painful to the touch
• Swollen, inflamed gums
• Bad breath
• Bright red or purplish gums
• Receding or soft gums

Possible causes of gingivitis

There are several factors that may cause gum disease. We have highlighted some of these possible causes in the list below.

• Diet, for example deficiency of vitamin C
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy and hormonal changes
• Age
• Genetic factors
• Smoking
• Chewing tobacco
• Consumption of certain kinds of medication
• Improperly fitted dental appliances
• Broken fillings
• Crooked teeth

Diagnosing gingivitis

The diagnosis of gingivitis can only be confirmed after consulting with a dentist, dental hygienist or periodontist. They will check for symptoms such as tartar and plaque in the oral cavity. In more severe cases, it is also advised to check for signs of periodontitis, an advanced stage of gingivitis in which the teeth may become loose and even fall out. The two main ways to diagnose gingivitis are:

• Dental X-rays
• Periodontal probing

Getting treatment

Early stages of gingivitis can be easily treated with changes to one’s oral hygiene routine, for example more frequent brushing and flossing, the use of antiseptic mouthwash, etc. It is advised to seek treatment for gum disease under the supervision of a trained dental professional.

Preventive treatments

Sometimes even with a good oral hygiene routine there may still be some build up of tartar and plaque. One may not be able to reach this tartar and plaque through brushing or flossing. Preventive treatments like scaling, teeth cleaning, polishing etc can help prevent gum disease from occurring. Talk to your dental professional and make sure you schedule regular check ups and teeth cleanings.