Gingivitis

Gingivitis – General Information

Gingivitis is caused by the day and night actions of the bacterium that produces several harmful chemical reactions and toxins. In this way the patient starts to develop symptoms of the inflammation of the gingival tissue, also named “the plaque”. The bacterium usually accumulates around the teeth in touch with the gums. In such areas it leads to the formation of tartar. If this medical condition - Gingivitis is not treated over the years, it triggers an acute inflammation that may cause the loss of teeth. The infection with the bacterial amounts can enter the individual’s bloodstream. A proper cleaning, at the dentist (that ought to effectively remove the plaque and the tartar), can prevent this gingival disease. After the plaque is cleaned, it can grow again on the teeth in a quite short period of time (in general, over three months). Scientists have proved that the tartar is able to reform in 24 hours. The gingival inflammation amplifies into diseases that affect the patient’s teeth and gums. The most common of them is called Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG). It is an overgrowth of the bacteria brought by the stress, by a weak immunity of the body, the medication (such as calcium and minerals), pregnancy, puberty and lack of oral hygiene. Diseases of periodontium are classified according to their symptoms and severity. The results are such as: bad-smelling breath, sensitiveness at cold and hot drinks or food bleeding, a feeling of pain and irritation. The bacteria find a warm place filled with food to survive and usually overwhelming the immunity of the body.

Gingivitis – Symptoms

Gingivitis is a medical disease that is usually painful. Some patients have this medical condition without knowing it. However, like most other medical disorders it triggers some warning symptoms like the following: the gingival color is red and white, purple or shiny although the gums can be painless when pressure was applied. Easy bleeding occurs, even when you are brushing and flossing gentle and smooth. Most people noticed they have problems when the gingival healthy color turned into dark red. If the plaque and the tartar stay longer over the teeth, they can irritate a part of the gingival tissue and the base around your teeth. A drug is supposed to mostly impede the natural production of the saliva. Saliva has an effect of cleansing the teeth and it stops bacteria from appearing or growing. The bad effect of a non-existent oral hygiene: it helps the plaque, the tartar and the bacteria to grow. The gums seem to be swollen and a bad taste appears in your mouth. There are some pockets that can be discovered through a periodontal analyze. A pocket can measure 5 mm depth minimum and it becomes painful. An acute form of Gingivitis brings fever, a gingival edema, ulceration, a grey membrane can be found, infections inside the tissue of the mouth. Some of the symptoms can be found at children infected with HIV, they are in a permanent risk of infection because of low immunity. Drugs can induce the bleeding of the gums: if the blood pressure is high enough, bleeding appears suddenly.

Gingivitis – Treatment

The first step of a treatment can be the proper cleaning of the mouth and teeth. This is supposed to effectively remove the plaque and the tartar as scaling. A professional cleaning and an antiseptic are recommended by the dentists. If you have a good oral hygiene the gum problems disappear and never return when it is maintained everyday. Dentists may prescribe you the irrigation of gingival tissue with an antibacterial wash, a therapy with antibiotics and the removal of the plaque. The plaque and the tartar are removed by a specialized dentist frequently or twice in a year. The dentist must replace the broken teeth and repair the misalignments. In this way you can prevent the effects over the root of the teeth. In general, the treatment can be complex, especially in the case of a chronic Gingivitis. For example the pockets can be removed through a surgical procedure named gingivectomy after the patient is injected with an anesthetic. If you have an excessive gingival tissue there is a solution called gingivoplasty. If you have an abscess a surgery is required. This procedure can give you a nice shape of the gums and it is recommended by most dental health care providers. The inflamed tissue can be removed and the bone is restructured. There are some special toothbrushes that remove plaque and reduce it. Dentists can teach you some methods of education about oral hygiene in connection with other medical problems, if the patient has any other problems. Gingivitis can be triggered by a wide variety of causes. The most important of them are: smoking, diabetes, stress, bad effects of some drugs, pregnancy, contraceptives, and misalignment of the teeth, low nutrition. Another cause for the appearance of this gum problem is a genetic one. The maintenance of oral hygiene is a part of the treatment and a regular cleaning must last 45 minutes or an hour for three months. You must ask the advice of hygienist to show you the proper (and recommended) procedures of cleanings.

A gingival curettage ensures a proper cleaning of the teeth surface. Through this medical procedure that is a viable option for individuals with Gingivitis, the diseased gingival tissues are also removed. Other advantages of this therapy option include the reposition and reshape of the bones and of the gum. The restoration of the gum tissue and of the bone growth can be done through a proper cleaning of the bacteria, the usage of absorbable materials like antibiotics; the fabric is put in use to stop the growth of the gum tissue; if it is a non-absorbable material it must be removed after 4 or 6 weeks. The grafting of the gum requires special techniques for the improvement of the looks of the gum. The periodontist replaces the gum taking a tissue from the palate to cover the exposed root. Implants refer to teeth implants for people that lost their teeth because of a periodontal disease. The implant cost is enormous and requires more meetings with the periodontists. Ask your physician for more information about Gingivitis.