KNOW MORE ABOUT GINGIVITIS@rootz dental care and implant center,thoraipakkam
Symptoms and causes
Symptoms and causes
Gingivitis
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fitted
tightly around the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include:
·
Swollen or puffy gums
·
Dusky red or dark red
gums
·
Gums that bleed easily
when you brush or floss
·
Bad breath
·
Receding gums
·
Tender gums
When to see a dentist
If you notice any signs and symptoms of
gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you seek
care, the better your chances of reversing damage from gingivitis and
preventing its progression to periodontitis.
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor
oral hygiene that encourages plaque to form on teeth, causing inflammation of
the surrounding gum tissues. Here's how plaque can lead to gingivitis:
·
Plaque
forms on your teeth. Plaque is an
invisible, sticky film composed mainly of bacteria that forms on your teeth
when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your
mouth. Plaque requires daily removal because it re-forms quickly.
·
Plaque
turns into tartar. Plaque that
stays on your teeth can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus), which
collects bacteria. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove, creates a
protective shield for bacteria and causes irritation along the gumline. You
need professional dental cleaning to remove tartar.
·
Gingiva
become inflamed (gingivitis). The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth,
the more they irritate the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of
your teeth, causing inflammation. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed
easily. Tooth decay (dental caries) also may result. If not treated, gingivitis
can advance to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.
Gingivitis is common, and anyone can develop
it. Factors that can increase your risk of gingivitis include:
·
Poor oral care habits
·
Smoking or chewing
tobacco
·
Older age
·
Dry mouth
·
Poor nutrition,
including vitamin C deficiency
·
Dental restorations
that don't fit properly or crooked teeth that are difficult to clean
·
Conditions that
decrease immunity such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS or cancer treatment
·
Certain drugs, such as
phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) for epileptic seizures, and some calcium channel
blockers, used for angina, high blood pressure and other conditions
·
Hormonal changes, such
as those related to pregnancy, menstrual cycle or use of birth control pills
·
Genetics
·
Medical conditions
such as certain viral and fungal infections
Untreated gingivitis can progress to gum
disease that spreads to underlying tissue and bone (periodontitis), a much more
serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.
Chronic gingiva inflammation has been thought
to be associated with some systemic diseases such as respiratory disease,
diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. Some
research suggests that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter
your bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting your heart, lungs and
other parts of your body. But more studies are needed to confirm a link.
Trench mouth, also known as necrotizing
ulcerative gingivitis (NUG), is a severe form of gingivitis that causes
painful, infected, bleeding gums and ulcerations. Trench mouth is rare today in
developed nations, though it's common in developing countries that have poor
nutrition and poor living conditions.
No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center,
No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,
Chennai - 600 097,
Phone :- 9786688755
Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com
Website :- www.rootzdentalcare.in
