What is gingivitis?
Inflammation of gums is called gingivitis.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis (inflammation of gums) happens prior to periodontitis (gum disease) but not all gingivitis leads to periodontitis.
What are the causes of gingivitis?
Most common cause is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush, floss or rinse your teeth properly a sticky film of bacteria called plaque develops on your teeth. Plaque hardens to form tartar along the gum line. Over a period of time this irritates and inflames gums causing gingivitis.
Am I prone to gingivitis?
While plaque due to poor oral hygiene is the primary reason for gingivitis there are other things which make a person more vulnerable to gingivitis –
1. Hormonal Imbalance during menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy makes gums sensitive.
2. Illnesses like cancer, diabetes, HIV make the immune system weak and thereby increasing the risk of oral diseases.
3. Smoking or chewing tobacco prevent gums to heal quickly.
4. Genetics – If your family has a history of gum diseases there are chances that you are more prone to gingivitis than others.
5. Certain medications can also interfere with saliva production in the mouth leading to more infections.
6. Crooked or misaligned teeth can make cleaning them difficult which may result in oral diseases.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
Some common symptoms include –
1. Bad breath
2. Swollen gums
3. Red gums (healthy gums are pink)
4. Tender or receding gums
5. Gums that bleed easily
6. Sensitive or loose teeth
7. Painful chewing
8. Persistent bad taste in mouth
You must consult a dentist as soon as you notice any of these symptoms to rule out gingivitis.
Is gingivitis preventable?
Gingivitis is totally preventable.
How can I prevent it?
Simple, practice good oral hygiene Brush twice a day, floss and rinse with a proper mouthwash. Go to your dentist at least twice a year (or more if you fall in the vulnerable category). Get your teeth regularly cleaned by a professional so that plaque does not build up or harden in to tartar. Take extra care if you are on any medications that make your mouth dry. Be more attentive to your teeth if you have any lifestyle or immunodeficiency diseases. Stop smoking or chewing tobacco, eat healthy and reduce stress.
Is gingivitis reversible?
Yes, if you address gingivitis early it is completely reversible. If you ignore initial warning signs it may develop in a periodontal disease which may be harder to cure and may lead to cavities and loss of teeth.
So don’t ignore any initial symptoms (they may escape our notice because they are mild and not painful) and visit your dentist regulary.
Call us on 940-274-3229 and schedule an appointment today. Follow us on instagram @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx for offers, deals and more. We accept all major insurance providers.