Gingivitis is a disease characterized by gum disease. A disease can develop in several forms. Most often, this ailment can be observed in children, pregnant women and young people under 35 years old. Acute gingivitis has symptoms, if detected, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment in order to avoid more serious consequences. To prevent this disease, doctors recommend visiting a periodontist regularly, brushing your teeth, and when the first signs (redness, bleeding) appear, make an appointment with a specialist.
What causes gingivitis?
There are two types of causes of this disease: general and local. The first include such deviations as a decrease in the level of immunity, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, various kinds of allergies.
Local causes include improper oral hygiene, the presence of tartar, radiation injuries, injuries and burns, bad habits in the form of smoking. Most situations associated with the appearance of gingivitis are due to a lack of smoothness on the surface of the teeth. That is, due to non-compliance with hygiene rules, plaque appears, which later turns into tartar. These problems should be fixed as soon as possible. To clean the surface of the teeth from unwanted microorganisms, it is recommended to perform processing using ultrasonic devices.
The main thing is to remember about individual brushing and do it right. The process should not last less than three minutes. Teeth should be brushed twice a day: in the morning, after breakfast, and in the evening, before going to bed. It is recommended to change the toothbrush at least once every three months. For those who forget to do this, there are special brushes with colored bristles that fade over time. The use of dental rinses is welcome.
Signs of gingivitis
The disease is most often affected by young people. They have the weakest gums and therefore are susceptible to inflammation. The main symptoms are bleeding gums, the absence or presence of a false periodontal pocket.
The overall well-being of a person does not practically change, the presence of these signs indicates non-compliance with oral hygiene. Gingivitis is characterized by swelling of the gums, pain during brushing, bleeding, redness, bad breath.
The acute form of gingivitis
The causes of this disease can be very diverse: from temperature and infectious effects to allergic factors. Acute gingivitis can occur with flu, measles and other diseases. Non-compliance with hygiene rules negatively affects the immunity of the oral cavity, which leads to inflammation of the gums.
In children, weak immunity is observed up to 6-7 years, and only at 14-15 its final formation begins. Therefore, the risk of gingivitis is higher. It is very important from an early age to teach a child to observe oral hygiene so that it becomes a habit and there are no unpleasant situations in the future. Defective fillings, the presence of caries, the accumulation of microorganisms lead to the onset of acute gingivitis. Symptoms of this disease:
- sharp pain in the gums;
- swelling and bleeding;
- expansion of plaque, in addition to all teeth, it covers the gums;
- body temperature is increased;
- headache, weakness and inexplicable fatigue of the body.
Chronic gingivitis
The chronic form in terms of occurrence does not differ from the acute. A feature is a long and viscous course of the disease. There are three types of chronic gingivitis: catarrhal, atrophic and hypertrophic.
Catarrhal gingivitis occurs periodically and is characterized by redness and swelling of the gums. Damage to the marginal gum and interdental papillae is possible.
Hypertrophic gingivitis is an enlargement of the papillae, which form a false periodontal pocket. The main signs of the disease: bleeding and pain when eating. Any of these forms can go into atrophic, in which the gum decreases in size and becomes very thin.
Atrophic gingivitis is a very dangerous type of disease that can trigger the appearance of other ailments. Due to the thinness of the gums, it is easy to damage and even break. For the oral cavity, one of the most dangerous diseases is acute and chronic gingivitis. Symptoms of the latter are expressed in the following:
- itching and burning in the gum area, which intensifies during brushing;
- high bleeding;
- an increase in interdental papillae.
Catarrhal form of acute gingivitis
Acute catarrhal gingivitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the gingival tissue. This form of gingivitis is not prone to relapse, but if treatment is not started on time, it can develop into more serious diseases. This type of gingivitis is most common in children and adolescents.
This disease can occur due to malocclusion, incorrect dental treatment, the presence of stone, plaque or caries. Acute gingivitis is easily detected by its symptoms: pronounced swelling of the gums, halitosis, bleeding. Treatment of this disease involves getting rid of existing inflammations and the causes that caused them.
Ulcerative form
Acute ulcerative gingivitis is a type of disease characterized by the formation of pustules on the edge of the gums. This disease occurs due to parasitization of the oral cavity of microbes and bacteria. Microorganisms become especially active during a period of weakened immunity. This form of the disease can develop into a more serious one: Vincent’s acute ulcerative necrotic gingivitis. It is practically not treatable, and in some cases a fatal outcome is possible.
Acute ulcerative gingivitis has the following symptoms:
- sharp pain in the gums;
- bleeding when brushing your teeth;
- bad breath;
- apathy, unwillingness to eat and weakness in the body.
These symptoms are similar to those found in the early stages of ulcerative necrotic gingivitis. In any case, when the first signs appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment methods will vary.
Ulcerative necrotic form of gingivitis
Acute necrotic gingivitis is the most dangerous form of the disease. It is characterized not just by inflammation and redness of the gums, but by its death. Ulcerative necrotic gingivitis occurs when parasitic fusobacteria in the oral cavity. Also, this form of the disease can be the result of neglect of catarrhal gingivitis. In addition, the ulcerative necrotic form of the disease contributes to the development of other ailments, such as stomatitis or periodontitis.
Symptoms of the disease:
- severe pain in the gums at the slightest touch;
- swelling and severe redness of the gums;
- uncontrolled bleeding;
- plaque on the damaged areas of the gums;
- pungent breath.
Treatment of acute gingivitis is carried out using anesthesia. This will help reduce or completely eliminate pain during surgery.
Causes of acute gingivitis in childhood
Children are most susceptible to this disease. It can be caused by both external and internal causes. The first group includes injuries sustained during teething. Also, due to the habit of most children trying everything to taste, an infection can get into the oral cavity, which will lead to gingivitis.
In addition to the external factors include a poorly placed seal, which does not meet certain requirements. Children often get sick, and any infectious disease can cause an acute form of gingivitis.
Among the internal causes, a decrease in immunity, an insufficient amount of vitamins in the child's body, and improper tooth structure are distinguished. Acute gingivitis in children can be expressed both as an independent disease, and as an additional ailment.
Types of gingivitis in children
Depending on how strong the child’s gum inflammation is, a catarrhal, hypertrophic and ulcerative necrotic type of disease is distinguished, each of which is expressed in acute or chronic form.
It is easy for a child to determine acute gingivitis. The clinic of this disease is quite pronounced. The child sleeps little and poorly, his appetite disappears. Bleeding, a large amount of plaque, as well as inflammation of the gums will leave no doubt about what kind of ailment a baby develops.
The most common type of gingivitis is hypertrophic. It is characterized by gum pain and bleeding. Usually after puberty the symptoms go away. Catarrhal gingivitis is also quite common. It is manifested by gum disease and a pungent breath. There are dental deposits, children feel bad, the temperature rises.
The most severe and, accordingly, rare form is ulcerative necrotic gingivitis. It is characterized by the presence of gray ulcers, putrid odor from the mouth. The dentist can diagnose this disease during a routine examination and prescribe a course of therapy.
Treatment of acute gingivitis
The form of treatment for this disease depends on the cause and severity. In any case, it must be comprehensive in order to eliminate all factors of the disease. If gingivitis has arisen due to the sharp edges of the filling, prosthesis correction must be applied.
Long-term use of antibiotics adversely affects the microflora of the oral cavity, and therefore, acute gingivitis may occur. Treatment in this case is prescribed by an immunologist. Independent intervention in these matters without consulting a specialist is strictly prohibited.
If the patient has addressed the problem of catarrhal acute gingivitis, then the doctor should direct the course of therapy to eliminate negative factors and normalize the body. In this case, the dentist will teach you how to individually brush your teeth, as well as conduct an antiseptic treatment and apply a special ointment.
The treatment of gingivitis in adults and children is practically no different. Only in childhood, the use of antiseptics and proper oral hygiene become the solution to all problems. If there is dental deposits or stones, the dentist will use them to remove them. Deep fluoridation of the teeth is recommended. Children at home can rinse their mouth with a 0.06% chlorhexidine solution.
Prevention of acute gingivitis
In order to prevent the occurrence of the disease, it is necessary to regularly fulfill two conditions: observe personal hygiene of the oral cavity and visit the dentist. Teeth should be cleaned at least twice a day, and the choice of brushes and pastes should be taken seriously. In order not to make a mistake, you need to consult your dentist.
As for visiting a doctor, the recommended frequency is twice a year. Each appointment with the dentist must be supported by professional brushing, which will help get rid of plaque and other deposits.
Conclusion
One of the most common diseases of the oral cavity is acute gingivitis. What is this disease? It is an inflammation of the gums of varying complexity. There are many forms and types of acute gingivitis. Children and young people under the age of 35 are most susceptible to this disease.
Pregnancy can also affect the occurrence of gingivitis. This disease can be prevented by observing the rules of disease prevention. Individual hygiene is the most important of them. Everyone, regardless of age or occupation, should make it a rule to brush their teeth twice a day. This procedure will help protect the patient from unwanted infections and diseases, as well as maintain fresh breath.