What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the initial stage of inflammatory gum disease. Without treatment, the disease progresses into the next stage – periodontitis, and may lead to such serious consequences as atrophy (destruction) of the bone tissue around the tooth. The disease is caused by bacteria (less often viruses, fungi).
Actinomycetes comitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides gingivalis, Streptococcus oralis are believed to be the main pathogens. These bacteria live in a person’s oral cavity without causing harm until weakening the immune system. As soon as the body’s resistance decreases, gingivitis may develop.
Gingivitis: Common causes
Gingivitis is caused by:
- improper oral cavity care;
- untimely treatment of teeth and gum disease or its absence;
- lack of vitamins in food, especially vitamin C;
- diabetes;
- respiratory system diseases caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi;
- weak immunity;
- pregnancy;
- smoking;
- bite pathology.
Most doctors do not consider it an independent disease, but a concomitant disease.
Who may get gingivitis?
Anyone can get gingivitis, from a child to a retiree. After all, the above bacteria are very common. However, kids under 6 years old suffer from the disease more often than adults and teenagers.
At this age, children’s teeth are actively growing, causing injury to the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Children are very curious, wants to taste everything. So the infection penetrates, and gingivitis begins.
Risk of gingivitis is higher in adults who are afraid or unable to visit the dentist regularly. Proper removal of plaque (stones), caries treatment with biocompatible restorations, and daily proper brushing of teeth prevent bacteria from developing and cause gingivitis.
Gingivitis types
Doctors classify the types of gingivitis as acute and chronic gingivitis.
Chronic gingivitis
It is caused by poor oral hygiene, significant tartar on the teeth. The disease is observed as follows:
- no pain, no visible inflammation;
- gums bleed slightly from brushing;
- bad breath appears;
- enlarged periodontal pockets;
- often revealed during preventive examinations.
Acute gingivitis
This form of the disease is observed in a more explicit form and divided into hypertrophic, catarrhal, ulcerative, necrotizing gingivitis and others.
The symptoms are as follows:
- gum redness and swelling
- high body temperature
- general weakness
- itchy gums
Ulcerative gingivitis is characterized by canker sores on the gums, pain when chewing food and brushing teeth. Increased bleeding from the gums.
Hypertrophic gingivitis is often associated with endocrine changes in the body. It is observed in pregnant women, in teenagers, in patients with diabetes mellitus. Thus the number of gingival papillae increases.
Atrophic gingivitis is characterized by reduced gums and the root exposure.
Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a necrosis of the interdental papillae. It is accompanied by oral mucosa inflammation, bleeding gums, and foal-smelling breath. Body temperature may increase as well. The best way to prevent the disease is gingivitis prophylaxis. If the disease appears, urgent treatment is required. Visit your dentist every half a year to prevent the disease. Schedule a preventive examination at Denta Vita, and our doctors will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Every professional teeth cleaning at our clinic will be complemented with a master class on teeth cleaning and a disposable brush.