Gingivitis; What It Really Is
Maybe people hear about the dangers of gingivitis. On nearly every toothpaste and mouthwash commercial you can hear the products effectiveness in helping to prevent this disease. Almost every dentist’s office has posters explaining the importance of flossing and how pivotal it is in preventing gingivitis as well. Ok, ok we get it. Gingivitis is bad. People should do everything they can to prevent getting it, right? Right.
Unfortunately, even with the exuberant amount of information informing people on tactics with which they can avoid gingivitis, it is still one of the most commonly seen oral diseases seen in dental patients across the globe. So why is this? Perhaps it is because many people do not know what gingivitis really is. As in, the science behind it and what is happening to your mouth when gingivitis is affecting it. Well, our dentists and the dental team at Smiles By Design have decided to try and help this lack in oral knowledge by writing a short description of what gingivitis is in today’s edition of Dental Biography: Gingivitis.
Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, or gingiva. Most often times, gingivitis occurs do to the films of bacteria which cover your teeth and gums becoming too plentiful. This type of gingivitis is called ‘plaque induced gingivitis’. Gingivitis is a non-destructive form of periodontal disease. However, the danger with gingivitis comes when it is left untreated. Untreated gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. The loss of teeth can only be fixed by dental implants or other forms of tooth replacement.
Symptoms and Solutions: a person with gingivitis will most likely have red, puffy gums that bleed when brushed. Bad breath is also a side effect of gingivitis. Luckily, gingivitis can be cured with improved dental hygiene. This means improved brushing techniques, increasing the frequency and length of time the action is performed. Also try to keep in mind that electric toothbrushes do a better job than we can do on our own. If you have gingivitis, getting an electric toothbrush might be something to strongly consider. The use of an alcohol free, antiseptic mouthwash will also speed along your mouth’s recovery process.
In mild gingivitis cases, a person may not even know they have it. However, if gingivitis is discovered in your mouth you should take it seriously and address it immediately. Other symptoms of gingivitis include
- Purple gums
- Gums that are tender and painful to the touch
- Gums that bleed while flossing
- Receding gums
- Halitosis (severe bad breath)
- Soft, squishy gums
Other Possible Consequences of Untreated Gingivitis: Aside from periodontal disease, there are a few other consequences that can result from untreated gingivitis. a few of them include
- Abscess in the gums
- Abscess in the jawbone
- Infection in the jawbone
- Trench mouth
All of these things can be avoided though, just like the toothpaste commercials say, with proper brushing and flossing. Smiles By Design hopes this blog has given you a little insight into what gingivitis is. Now, hopefully, you can better fend it off. So get brushing!