What is periodontitis
Gingivitis is one of the most important diseases of the gums and teeth, which is characterized by irritation, redness, and swelling that occurs in the gums. Symptoms of gingivitis may range from simple redness to severe pain that may extend to the teeth.
Gingivitis usually occurs due to the accumulation of a layer of sticky deposits or bacteria on the teeth, and it is a non-destructive type of gum disease, but if gingivitis is not treated, it can develop into periodontitis, which is more serious, and can eventually lead to dryness around Teeth and tooth loss.
Signs of gingivitis include redness and bumps that bleed easily. In mild cases of gingivitis, patients may not even know they have it, because the symptoms are mild, and can be easily treated with good oral cleaning.
Causes of gingivitis
Among the causes that lead to gingivitis are the following:
• The main reason behind gingivitis lies in the accumulation of food residues and bacteria on the surface of the teeth and in the spaces between the teeth and some of them, which leads to the formation of tartar at the gingival line of the teeth, causing swelling and inflammation of the gums.
• Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, adolescence and menopause.
• The random growth of the teeth, which makes it difficult to clean them, and thus gingivitis occurs.
• Lack of interest in oral and dental hygiene, which makes the gums more susceptible to sensitivity and inflammation.
• Bacterial invasion of oral bacteria, which accelerates the swelling of the gums.
• Taking some types of medicines such as: anti-convulsants and angina medicines.
• Lack of saliva in the mouth, which increases your risk of gingivitis.
Who is most susceptible to gingivitis?
Gingivitis can occur in any category of people, but the incidence is higher in the following cases:
• Pregnancy.
Smoking.
• Having diabetes.
• Crooked teeth (in English: Teeth Crowding).
• Immunodeficiency diseases such as: AIDS or what is known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (in English: AIDS).
Tumors and cancerous diseases.
• Getting old.
Malnutrition and vitamin C deficiency.
• Genetic or genetic factors.
• Medical history in the family.
Symptoms of gingivitis
Symptoms of gingivitis include:
• Redness of the gums.
• swollen gums.
• Pain in the gums or teeth.
Bad breath.
• Bleeding gums, and occasional bleeding.
• Change in the texture and general shape of the gums and dryness of the mouth.
• Abnormal growth of the gums may affect the locations of the teeth in the mouth.
How is gingivitis diagnosed?
It is easy to diagnose gingivitis in the dentist’s office by examining with diagnostic tools and examining the dental pockets to ensure their safety. The length of the dental pocket is normal if its length ranges between 1 to 3 cm. In the case of gingivitis, the length of the pocket increases more than that.
The doctor also often resorts, before treating gingivitis, to a diagnosis of X-rays (in English: X-Ray) to examine the jaw bones and surrounding tissues and ensure that the bones are not eroded or affected by gingivitis.
Gingivitis treatment
Gingivitis can be treated in many different ways, as choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the nature of the condition and the symptoms. Various gingivitis treatment options include:
• Rinse with salt water for 30 seconds two or three times a day.
• Use of antibiotics such as penicillin, minosicin, or doxycycline.
• Deep cleaning of the gums at the dentist.
• Gum grafting surgery, which is performed in advanced cases of gingivitis.
