Gingivitis: Symptoms, Causes & Preventions
Overview:
Gingivitis is an infection of the gums in the mouth, which causes redness, irritation, and swelling, which is the part covering and surrounding the roots of the teeth of the gums,
which should be taken care of because it leads to tooth loss, as a result of damage to the layer that protects the teeth.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
Healthy gums are distinguished as pink and have a hard surface, but if the color turns red, it is an early sign of gingivitis.
The most important symptoms are:
- Swollen gums
- Dark red gums
- Gums bleeding when brushing teeth
- A foul smell, or a foul taste, is constantly coming out of the mouth
- Gums recession
- weak gums
- The appearance of deep pockets, or periodontal pockets between the gums and the surface of the tooth
What are the causes of gingivitis?
The mouth is a fertile environment for bacteria because it is present in saliva, the food we eat, and it grows on the teeth if you do not clean them well.
The most common cause of gingivitis is the impact of poor dental hygiene, which causes the appearance of dental plaque or calculus,
and when that raises the presence of calculus and tartar on the patient’s teeth, raises the irritation of the gums, in the area surrounding the base of the patient’s teeth, and this causes inflammation, and some other causes include:
- Hormonal imbalances: such as the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, or during the menstrual cycle. These changes increase tooth sensitivity and raise the possibility of gingivitis.
- Mouth ulcers: red, white, or gray sores can be painful and may occur anywhere in your mouth, and on the gums, which makes them painful and inflamed. In addition, bad habits like smoking and not brushing your teeth with a toothbrush regularly.
To mention: Some genetic diseases lead to the occurrence of gingivitis on a genetic basis.
Risk factors:
- Not using dental floss and brushing the teeth daily, or not brushing the teeth correctly
- Dry mouth
- Factors related to the shape and structure of the teeth and the jaw such as overlapping teeth, or the use of improper dentures
- Not visiting the dentist regularly for cleaning and follow-up changes that happen to the teeth.
- Breathing through the mouth leads to chronic inflammation and irritation of the gums because keeping the mouth open prevents the lips from protecting the gums.
- Malnutrition; Especially the vitamin C deficiency
- Medical disorders such as fungal infections and virus
Prevention of gingivitis:
- Start by changing the daily habits like smoke cessation, avoiding any psychological pressures, keeping a balanced diet, and refraining from pressing too hard on the teeth.
- Keep dental hygiene and brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day – in the morning and before bedtime.
- Regular visits to the dentist: To clean your teeth, usually every 6 to 12 months
- Floss more to get rid of food residues and germs and remove them from the spaces between the teeth and under the gum line.
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CliniDo wishes you to live a healthy life!