Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums): symptoms, causes, medicine • hello healthy

Definition

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is a bacterial infection that causes the gums to become swollen due to inflammation.

The main cause of this condition is poor oral hygiene. People who rarely brush their teeth, often eat sweet and sour foods, don't regularly check their teeth at the doctor are the most at risk of developing gingivitis.

Many people often don't know they have this disease because the symptoms are not so clear. However, gingivitis should not be allowed to persist without treatment.

How common is this condition?

Gingivitis is a common mouth and gum disease. This condition can be experienced by anyone regardless of gender, especially those who do not maintain oral health.

Untreated gingivitis can get worse. These gum problems can lead to periodontitis, which is a serious gum infection that can damage the bone tissue that supports teeth. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and many other serious problems.

You can avoid the risk of this disease by preventing the existing risk factors. Please consult a dentist for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of gingivitis?

Inflammation of the gums generally doesn't cause pain right away. As a result, many people are not aware that they experience this condition.

Even so, there are some signs and symptoms of gingivitis that you can watch out for from an early age, including:

• The gums are reddish, swollen, and feel tender when touched with the tongue or hands
• Gums are drooping or shrinking
• The gums are loose, move, or even come off
• Gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth or use dental floss
• Gum discoloration from fresh pink to blackish red
• Lingering bad breath, or a bad taste in the mouth
• Intense and sharp pain when opening your mouth to chew, bite, or even speak

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, do not hesitate to consult directly with a dentist.

Only a dentist can recognize and determine the severity of your gum disease.

When to see a doctor

If you notice one or more of the symptoms of gingivitis above, see a dentist immediately. Remember, the symptoms of gingivitis are often not realized.

So, the sooner you go to the doctor, the better the chance of a cure. Not only that, the sooner you go to the dentist, you can avoid the risk of serious gum damage such as periodontitis.

Cause

What causes gingivitis?

As explained a little above, the most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene which encourages plaque formation. Quoted from Mayo Clinic, this also can cause inflammation of the gum tissue.

The main cause of this inflammation is plaque buildup. Plaque itself is a sticky layer of bacteria that is formed from the deposits of food debris on the surface of the teeth.

Plaque that is allowed to accumulate over a long period of time will harden and form tartar below the gum line. Well, this tartar triggers inflammation of the gums.

Over time, your gums will swell and bleed easily. Dental caries can also occur. If not treated promptly, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss or loss.

Here are the stages from plaque formation to gingivitis:

• Plaque is something that is sticky and invisible. Most of it is formed from bacteria that mix with the rest of the food in your mouth. If it is not cleaned properly, plaque will quickly form.
• Plaque can turn into tartar as it sticks and hardens under the gum line and becomes tartar. This makes plaque more difficult to remove and then acts as a barrier for bacteria until irritation occurs.

If you don't get rid of it right away by going to the doctor, the irritation from the plaque build-up can cause gingivitis. The gums become swollen and bleed. If not treated immediately, tooth decay and periodontitis will occur.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of gingivitis?

There are many risk factors for gingivitis, including:

1. Genetic history

American Academy of Periodontology say as many as 30 percent of gum disease cases are caused by genetic factors. So, if your grandfather, grandmother, parents, and siblings have gingivitis, then chances are you are at risk for developing it too.

People with a history of hereditary gingivitis are six times more likely to develop various forms of gum disease.

2. Poor oral and dental hygiene

If you rarely brush your teeth, flossing, and see a dentist, you are at high risk for gingivitis.

3. Dry mouth

Dry mouth can affect gum health. Dry mouth conditions make the gums more prone to inflammation and swelling.

4. Tooth fillings that are loose or damaged

Damaged tooth fillings can increase the risk of infection that causes gingivitis and injuring other teeth.

5. Lack of vitamin intake

People who are deficient in vitamin C are more prone to dental and mouth problems, including gingivitis.

6. Smoking

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that smokers are twice as likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers.

7. Hormonal changes

The hormonal changes that women experience during pregnancy, monthly menstruation, and menopause can improve blood circulation to the gums. This makes it easier for the gums to become inflamed, swollen, and bleed.

8. Pregnant women

Based on data from the Indonesian Dentists Association (PDGI), gingivitis is one of the most common diseases affecting pregnant women. Usually this condition attacks in the early trimester of pregnancy, namely in the second month and peaks around the eighth month.

Although it seems trivial, gingivitis during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the development of the fetus that is being conceived. This is also stated in research published in journals Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Having gingivitis during pregnancy gives you the opportunity to give birth to a baby with low birth weight (LBW) if you experience gingivitis during pregnancy. Not only the risk of causing LBW, gingivitis or gingivitis can also increase the chance of preterm birth.

This is thought to be because the bacteria that cause gingivitis during pregnancy can enter the bloodstream and then travel to the area where the fetus is located. This then increases the risk of preterm labor and low birth weight (LBW).

9. Certain drugs

Take certain drugs such as birth control pills, steroids, anticonvulsants (seizure drugs), chemotherapy, blood thinners, and calcium channel blocker considered to increase the risk of gingivitis.

10. Certain medical conditions

People who have a history of certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, and HIV / AIDS are at higher risk of developing gingivitis because their immune systems tend to be weak.

This needs to be considered because it will be difficult for their bodies to fight the bacteria that cause infection.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is gingivitis diagnosed?

Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums can be diagnosed through an examination by a dentist. During the exam, the dentist will examine the gums to see if there is any inflammation while taking a thorough medical history.

The doctor will also measure the depth of your gum pocket. The depth of the gum pocket should ideally range from 1-3 millimeters.

If necessary, the dentist can also perform X-rays to see if the tooth bone is cracked or broken.

What are the treatments for gingivitis?

Some of the most common treatments for gingivitis include:

• Pain relievers. If the pain is so intense that it makes it difficult for you to chew and bite your food, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. Both drugs are effective in relieving the tingling sensation around the gums.
• Mouthwash. An antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine can be used to help fight infection-causing bacteria in the mouth. Use mouthwash as directed by your doctor. Improper use can actually worsen the condition of your gums.
• Antibiotic drugs. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from getting worse. Antibiotics work by suppressing the growth of bacteria that cause infection. Pay attention to the dosage and how to use it to avoid getting worse gum conditions.

Dental cleaning procedures

Your dentist may also recommend non-surgical procedures to clean your teeth so they don't irritate the gums further.

Here are some treatments for cleaning teeth that dentists can do:

• Scaling. This procedure is performed using a special tool called ultrasonic scaler in cleaning plaque and tartar at the gum line. Scaling ideally done every 6 months. However, in certain cases, a person may need more frequent tartar cleaning.
• Root planing. Different from scalingThis procedure is performed on patients who already have pockets with gum disease (periodontitis). This procedure helps smoothen the roots of the teeth so that your gums can stick tightly back against the teeth.

If you want to remove plaque and tartar with minimal pain and bleeding, laser is the best solution.

Operation

In serious cases, flap surgery can be performed to remove plaque and tartar from the gum pocket.

Your doctor may also perform a bone and tissue graft procedure if the tooth decay is too severe.

Home remedies and prevention

How can you prevent gingivitis?

The best way to prevent gingivitis is to keep your teeth and mouth clean. This advice applies not only to adults, but also to children. The earlier you get used to maintaining oral hygiene, the better.

Here are some easy steps to get in the habit of keeping your teeth and mouth clean every day.

Brush your teeth regularly

In mild cases, gingivitis can usually be treated by brushing your teeth more diligently. Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and night) with proper brushing technique.

Brush your teeth gently in a circular motion from top to bottom. Do the same for each section for 20 seconds.

All surfaces of the teeth must be brushed, nothing can be missed so that no food residue gets caught. Finally, rinse your mouth with clean water.

Choosing the tool must also be right. Use a soft bristled brush with a small tip so that you can reach the deepest part of the mouth. Also make sure the brush algae you are using are comfortable to handle.

Meanwhile, for toothpaste, choose one that contains fluoride. Fluoride is effective for strengthening and protecting your teeth from decay.

Flossing

In order to be really clean, don't forget to do it flossing. Flossing is a technique of cleaning teeth using floss to remove food debris stuck between the teeth and under the gum line.

If you consistently brush your teeth and flossing, the gums will be maintained in their best condition. Maintain the habit of brushing and brushing flossing appropriately to avoid oral problems.

Quit smoking

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for gingivitis and gum disease. In fact, experts note that people who smoke are seven times more likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers.

Therefore, from now on you should try to quit smoking. Apart from preventing gingivitis, quitting smoking can also improve your overall health.

Eat nutritious foods

The right nutrition can help your immune system more effectively fight the bacteria that cause gingivitis. Avoid consuming foods and drinks that have too much sugar.

Instead, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and other foods that contain vitamins C and E. These two types of vitamins can help your body repair damaged tissue.

Avoid stress

Stress can also affect the health of your teeth and mouth. When you are stressed, it will be harder for your immune system to fight off the bacteria that cause infection. You will also be more susceptible to gingivitis and other gum diseases.

Routinely check with the dentist

Another thing that is no less important to prevent gingivitis is to regularly check with the dentist. Regular checkups can make it easier for your doctor to monitor the overall health of your teeth and mouth.

If the doctor at any time finds a problem with your gums or teeth, he will be quicker to provide the appropriate treatment.

Visit the dentist regularly every 6-12 months. However, if there are certain risk factors that make you more susceptible to gingivitis, you may need more frequent consultations.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.