What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis?

Gingivitis commonly happens due to poor oral hygiene. You can eliminate this dental problem if you practice proper oral health care habits and regularly visit your dentist for a routine dental check-up.

In this article, you can have detailed information about what gingivitis is and what are the symptoms of gingivitis. Additionally, you will also find information about the treatment measures of the same.

An early stage of gum disease, gingivitis is also known as periodontal disease. When bacteria infect your gums, and you notice red and swollen bleeding gums, it means you have gingivitis.

If gingivitis is left untreated, it might lead to a severe dental problem, periodontitis. This might also be the cause of your tooth loss. However, your dentist can easily cure the early-stage gingivitis.

Sometimes gingivitis might happen without you finding any symptoms of the same. However, the following are the signs and symptoms of gingivitis:

• Often, while brushing or flossing, you might find bleeding gums.
• You might notice sore, swollen, and red gums that cause immense pain.
• If there is pus in between your gums and teeth, you have gingivitis.
• You might notice that your gums have pulled away from your teeth.
• Frequently losing teeth can be another symptom of gingivitis.
• If you find malocclusion or a change in your teeth fitting together while biting, you might have gingivitis.
• Persistence of bad breath although you have brushed several times.
• Other symptoms might include severe pain while eating food and sensitive teeth.

So, now you have an idea about the signs of gingivitis. Next, let's step into the factors that contribute to gingivitis.

Your teeth and gums are an essential part of your mouth. Hence, they require regular care. When you avoid taking the same, plaque forms on your enamel, swelling the surrounding gums and tissues of your teeth which are early signs of gingivitis. Plaque leads to gingivitis in the following ways:

• Plaque is a sticky coat of bacteria that forms on your teeth. When you consume too much sugar and starch, the bacteria inside your mouth interact with the plaques. Since plaques form very fast, you need to remove them frequently.
• When there is plaque formation on your teeth for a longer time, it hardens into calculus or tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove and creates a protection for the bacteria irritating your gums. Only your dentist will be able to eradicate the tartar.
• When tartar and gingivitis stay on your teeth for longer, they inflame the gingiva, a section of your gums just below your teeth. This causes inflammation, swelling and bleeding of the gums. This might also result in tooth decay.

All these above factors lead to gingivitis. If they remain untreated, they are sure to proceed towards a more severe dental issue or periodontitis.

The following factors can increase the risks of gingivitis:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco when you are diagnosed with this disease might worsen the situation.
• If you have Vitamin C deficiency or poor nutrition, you might notice symptoms of gingivitis.
• Additionally, if you have dental restorations that did not fit well, there might be high chances of gingivitis.
• Crooked teeth that are difficult for you to clean can cause the formation of plaque and can lead to higher risk.
• Certain medical conditions such as cancer or HIV reduce your immunity and lead to gingivitis.
• Specific drugs and medications for epileptic seizures, certain calcium channel blockers, and medicines for high blood pressure might lead to gingivitis.
• Certain hormonal changes related to birth control pills, pregnancy, and menstrual cycle can increase the risk of gingivitis.
• Some viral and fungal infections can also be the primary reason behind gingivitis.

Apart from these, if you have older adults at home with a dry mouth issue, you might find signs of this oral disease with them.

The primary function you have to do to treat gingivitis is to follow proper oral hygiene. Other ways to treat gingivitis are:

1. Deep Cleaning Your Teeth

There are several ways you can deep clean your teeth if you want to avoid surgery. However, taking professional help, in this case, will be beneficial.

2. Regular Scaling of Teeth

To eradicate tartar from the gumline, scaling is a must. Your dentist will use advanced ultrasonic equipment to scrape the tartar off. This will reduce the chances of cavities and tooth decay.

3. Follow Root Planing

Root planing is an effective process as it removes tartar and plaque from your teeth and smoothens the rough areas on the teeth.

4. Laser Treatment

Laser treatment can be an ideal choice if you do not want to go for root planing or scaling. Advanced laser treatments use thermal energy to vaporise water to create a vapour bubble. This vapour bubble expands and then collapses to destroy the plaque.

5. Use Antiseptic Mouthwash

Mouthwash containing chlorhexidine is helpful. Rinsing your mouth with this will disinfect the internal areas. Also, after root planing, your dentist might insert chlorhexidine into the gaps of your enamel to avoid chances of bacteria attack.

6. Surgery for Severe Cases

If you have severe gingivitis causing loss of bone tissue or gum, your periodontist might advise you to go for surgery. The following surgeries are usually common:

• Flap Surgery: This is a procedure where your dentist lifts back the gums while removing plaque and tartar deeply from the inner pockets.
• Gum Grafting Surgery: To cover the exposed tooth root area, a gum graft uses tissues from your mouth. This reduces chances of bone and gum loss.
• Tissue and Bone Grafting: Your doctor might suggest grafting when your teeth have decayed and damaged beyond healing.
• Dental Crown Lengthening: Your dentist can shape your gums and bone tissues, exposing your teeth in case you have gingivitis with excess tissue on your gums.

As you are aware of the causes and treatments of gingivitis, some preventive measures will ensure you have good oral health. This will reduce the chances of gingivitis.

The preventive measures you must follow to avoid gingivitis are:

• Brush Your Teeth Properly: Brushing your teeth twice daily for three minutes and flossing will deep clean your teeth. However, it is better to brush your teeth after every meal. Additionally, flossing will clear food particles that have stuck between the tooth.
• Regular Visit to Dentist: Make an appointment with your dentist every six months. Your dentist will be able to determine in case you are suffering from any underlying risks or if you have chances of periodontics. Dental X-rays are beneficial as they help to monitor oral issues that might not be visible during manual detection. You can go for professional dental cleaning sessions too.
• Maintain Proper Oral Health: Avoid consuming sugar that might affect your health and allow bacteria attacks. In addition, if you are a diabetic patient, you must take additional care of your oral health.

So, here you have complete guidance on the symptoms of gingivitis and how you must take care of your teeth. If you notice any symptoms, rush to the dentist immediately. Also, do not forget to ask your doctor if you have any queries in mind regarding your gingivitis issue.