Atrophic gingivitis is a chronic disease of the oral cavity characterized by a decrease in the volume of gingival tissue surrounding the teeth. What causes it? What symptoms indicate its formation? How is diagnosis and treatment carried out? Atrophic gingivitis is a serious and common pathology, so these and many other questions relating to this topic should be answered.
Briefly about the disease
Atrophic gingivitis is a chronic form of the usual. This is a neglected state - due to dystrophic changes in the epithelial tissue, the total gum volume decreases, the necks and roots of the teeth are exposed, and the interdental papillae also disappear. Interestingly, the process, as a rule, is not accompanied by inflammation.
Most often, pathology occurs in men older than 60 years. Women suffer less from it. However, in children this disease can occur, the reason for which is incorrect orthodontic treatment or abnormalities of the oral cavity.
In dentistry, atrophic gingivitis is perceived as the first sign of developing periodontal disease - systemic damage to the tissues that surround the teeth.
If the pathology progresses, periodontitis, characterized by inflammation, will begin to form. Its consequence may be the destruction of the gingival joint, and this is fraught with loosening and further loss of teeth.
Causes
Atrophic gingivitis, whose photos are unpleasant, occurs due to ignoring the rules of oral hygiene. Often the cause is weakened immunity, which is most often caused by the following diseases:
- Diabetes.
- Hepatitis.
- Tuberculosis.
- Gastritis.
- Peptic ulcer.
Smoking can also be a prerequisite for the development of the disease. Often, hormonal changes are the trigger. Other reasons include:
- Incorrect orthodontic therapy.
- Powerful gingival ligaments.
- Congenital malformations of the oral cavity.
- Gum deformity.
- Incorrect attachment of the bridle.
- Gum tissue injury.
- Incorrect prosthetics.
Atrophic gingivitis can be of two forms:
- Limited. With this form, the roots and necks in the area of 1-2 teeth are exposed. As a rule, the premolars, fangs and incisors are affected.
- Generalized. In this case, the gingival margin slowly loses its volume, which is accompanied by the disappearance of the papillae. As a result, visible gaps are formed between the teeth.
Symptoms
Now we can talk about what is characteristic of a disease such as atrophic gingivitis. Signs in general can be distinguished in such a list:
- The mucous membrane of the gums becomes pale pink.
- Bleeding and sometimes inflammation appear.
- The marginal part of the gum loses volume.
- V-shaped atrophied sites are formed due to the fact that during all these processes the interdental papillae retain their previous shape.
- The gingival margin is densified.
- A hypertrophied tissue resembling a roller is formed, due to which the gum begins to appear more dense and thicker.
- There is a pathological sensitivity to temperature extremes and other irritants.
- After a while, the gingival papillae disappear.
- Between the teeth there are gaps in which food begins to get stuck. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms accumulate, and subsequently multiply. An infection may join. This is characteristic of atrophic gingivitis.
If a person continues to ignore the disease, then the roots of the teeth will eventually be exposed. A larger volume of gingival tissue will simply be erased, and this is fraught with consequences that were described at the very beginning.
Diagnostics
If symptoms indicating atrophic gingivitis have appeared, then you need to urgently consult a dentist or periodontist. The doctor will make a diagnosis by examining the patient’s history and assessing the state of his oral cavity, which will require a visual and instrumental examination.
The doctor evaluates everything:
- Teeth.
- The condition of the gingival margin and interdental papillae.
- Anomalies, if any.
- Bite and its features.
- Deposits on the teeth.
- What condition the prostheses are in, if any.
Examining the cavity using a probe, you can identify the degree of tooth mobility, bleeding, lack of gingival pockets, as well as the integrity level of the gingival joints. These data are very important, since it is on their basis that a periodontogram is compiled, which makes it possible to understand how specific atrophic gingivitis is in this case.
Diagnostics, however, does not end there. Then the patient is sent for dental radiography. If a more accurate diagnosis is needed, then tests, samples, indices are carried out and culture from the oral cavity is taken for microflora analysis.
Thanks to these measures, it is possible to differentiate the disease from those pathologies that are similar in symptoms to it (for example, from periodontitis and periodontosis).
Features of how gingivitis proceeds, classification, clinic - all this allows you to determine exactly the diagnosis. And also to identify the reason why its development began. This is necessary for the appointment of competent therapy, which will definitely give a result.
Treatment specifics
Having studied the clinical signs of atrophic gingivitis, we can proceed to this topic. Of course, a personal integrated approach is needed here.
In the event that a general somatic disease provoked a pathology, then its treatment is first carried out, accompanied by a strengthening of immunity.
It is imperative to eliminate all the factors that cause trauma and irritation of the gingival tissue. In addition, professional oral hygiene and a course of therapy aimed at improving gum trophism will be required.
If the doctor considers it necessary, he will prescribe the correction of dentures or other orthodontic appliances installed in the patient’s mouth.
Atrophic gingivitis, the treatment of which involves fluoride treatment of the necks of the teeth, hydro- and auto-massage, vibration effects on the gums, and also the implementation of special applications using rosehip and sea buckthorn oils, should be started immediately after diagnosis. Do not tighten.
Also, a person must necessarily take vitamin-mineral complexes that strengthen immunity.
Healing ointments
The topic of symptomatic treatment of atrophic gingivitis should be paid a little more attention. Eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the pathology and mitigate the symptoms with which it manifests itself, using the following ointments:
- Holisal. It has antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is immediately absorbed, and therefore immediately acts - the pain disappears, the fever decreases, the inflammation becomes less intense. The antiseptic included in the composition destroys the bacteria and prevents their development.
- "Solcoseryl." The best drug for trophism and tissue regeneration. It quickly activates these processes, and also improves the transport of glucose and oxygen to the cells.
- Asepta-gel. This is a combined therapeutic drug that has proven itself in the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
- "Apident Asset." A unique drug of its kind, which includes healing bee venom. It relieves swelling and inflammation, eliminates discomfort and bad breath, and also promotes rapid healing of tissues.
There are other gels and ointments that have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and soothing effects, however, the listed drugs are recognized as the most effective.
Antibiotics
They are prescribed in case of infection, as well as if the signs of atrophic gingivitis have not disappeared after the treatment. Another indication is the advanced stage of the disease and the presence of ulcers, wounds and sources of pus in the oral cavity.
Here are some medications your doctor can prescribe:
- "Erythromycin." Take 2-3 times a day for 0.25 g an hour before meals. The course lasts 10-12 days.
- Amoxicillin. Means of semi-synthetic origin. It is prescribed if atrophic gingivitis is diagnosed in children or adults (daily dosages are 250 and 500 mg, respectively). The course lasts 8-10 days.
- Clindamycin. Semi-synthetic antibiotic in capsules, which you need to take 2 pieces twice a day. Children's dosage is calculated as follows - from 8 to 25 mg / kg per day, be sure to divide the amount into 3-4 doses. The course lasts 10 days.
- "Metronidazole." An agent with antimicrobial and protozoal action, recommended for adults. The daily dosage is 500 mg, you need to divide into two doses. Use after meals. The course lasts 7-10 days.
- "Cephalexin." Antibacterial agent. Adults and children should take 250 mg twice a day after meals. The course lasts 7-10 days.
- "Tarid". Medication of a wide spectrum of action. It is used regardless of food intake, 200 mg twice a day, at intervals of 12 hours. If the condition is started, then the doctor can double the dosage. The course of treatment is determined individually.
- "Ciprofloxacin." An antibacterial drug that has been prescribed since 15 years. The dosage is from 0.25 to 0.5 grams twice a day (the exact one depends on the severity of the inflammation). In advanced cases, increase to 0.75 g. The course lasts 14 days.
- Ampicillin. Semi-synthetic fast-acting agent. A single dosage is 500 mg, taken in 3-4 doses. It can be taken by children, but body weight (100 mg / kg) is taken into account. The course lasts 7-10 days.
Properly designed antibiotic therapy helps to quickly eliminate the symptoms of atrophic gingivitis and prevent the development of complications. However, in no case should you violate the medication schedule. Be sure to follow clear medical directions.
Rinse
These procedures are also effective for the disease in question. Rinses have an anti-inflammatory effect, and also contribute to tissue regeneration. Here with the addition of what means it is recommended to do them:
- "Chlorhexidine." In a glass, it is enough to dilute 5-10 ml of the solution. The procedure must be done three times a day, 30-60 seconds are enough.
- Miramistin. This remedy is active against many bacteria. It is necessary to use a 0.01% solution, which is necessary to rinse the mouth also three times a day for 1 minute. If the condition is running, then it is worth doing 15-minute applications with Miramistin.
- "Furacilin." Destroys most pathogens. You need to use a ready-made pharmacy 0.02% solution, or dissolve a tablet in 250 ml of warm water.
A weak warm soda solution has proved to be not bad as an antiseptic. This is the most budget option. It is necessary to dissolve 1 tsp. (without slide) in a glass of water.
Herbal treatment
Some phytocomponents are widely known for their anti-inflammatory properties. To make healing products from them is very easy. We will consider the most famous:
- Mix 1 tbsp. l yarrow, calendula and chamomile flowers. Pour hot water (400 ml) and let stand for an hour in a thermos. Then strain and use for rinsing.
- Take 2 tbsp. l dry sage and, pouring water (250 ml), send to a boil on fire. After 10 minutes, remove. After cooling, also use for rinsing.
- In equal proportions mix dry celandine grass with chopped oak bark. Take 4 tbsp. l the resulting collection and pour two glasses of hot water. After 2 hours, strain and use as a rinse every 6 hours.
- Cut a fresh and thick leaf of aloe, wash it thoroughly and peel it. Place a small piece in your mouth and chew slowly for several minutes, then spit out the expended mass.
By the way, if we talk about folk remedies, then it is worth using a tincture of propolis. A solution is made based on it elementary: you need 1 tsp. pour 200 ml of water into the healing elixir, and then use the entire composition to rinse your mouth after eating.
Healing massage
They can be supplemented with therapy, since it helps to increase blood flow in the gums. To perform it, you need to stock up with essential oil of juniper, fir, tea tree or eucalyptus.
It is necessary to apply a small amount of the product on the pads of the thumb and forefinger, and then begin to gently massage the gums on each side for 5-10 minutes. At the end of the procedure, do not rinse your mouth.
By the way, you can still make applications with sea buckthorn oil, famous for its healing properties. You just need to moisten them with a sterile gauze strip profusely, and then apply it for an hour to the inflamed gums. Doing so is recommended before bedtime.
Hygiene rules
About them - in the end. With gingivitis, it is necessary to use toothbrushes with the softest villi, so that the gums and teeth have as little irritating effect as possible.
And you also need to purchase a paste with a special composition. It should include potassium citrate, chlorhexidine, aluminum and zinc compounds, aloe gel, triclosan, as well as extracts of fruits and medicinal plants.
Such funds reduce gum bleeding, remove redness and swelling, promote tissue regeneration, and also produce an analgesic effect.