Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that requires a comprehensive medication. If you do not start it in a timely manner, this can lead to ulcers and other complications appear in the mouth. However, first things first.
Causes of the disease
There can be a multitude of reasons for the development of gingivitis, but the most common of them are as follows:
- Smoking (this weakens tooth enamel and causes its darkening).
- Drug treatment (this includes cold medicines, as well as antidepressants, because because of them, the production of saliva decreases, which contributes to a more active reproduction of bacteria).
- Improper observance of the rules of oral hygiene or non-observance of it at all. We must not forget that you need to brush your teeth twice a day, as well as rinse after eating. It is mandatory to visit the dentist at least 2 times a year, and preferably every 3 months.
- Improper treatment of other dental diseases. Dental problems, if you try to treat them yourself, can lead to other diseases or to complications.
- The presence of ailments such as diabetes mellitus, liver disease, the presence of fungal organisms or infections in the body. The reason for the appearance of gingivitis can also be sharp changes in the hormonal background. Also, the cause may be injury to the mucosa or burns on it.
- Weakened immunity (possibly another disease).
- Lack of calcium.
- Vitamin B deficiency
Common symptoms
Symptoms and treatment of gingivitis may vary depending on particular cases, however, there are similarities between all of them:
- Pain in the gums.
- Bleeding even with light pressure on the gums.
- Bad breath, which disappears after brushing your teeth for just a few hours.
- The gums are a little redden and constantly swollen.
Forms of Gingivitis
The treatment of the disease may vary directly depending on its form. Dentists distinguish the following classification:
- Catarrhal gingivitis. This form is considered the easiest, and with it, the teeth do not begin to loosen even after a large amount of time.
- Hypertrophic gingivitis. The treatment of this type of disease is more complicated, because it is a severe form. Symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, bad breath, gum redness, and fever.
- Ulcerative necrotic. Treatment of ulcerative gingivitis is slow, since this form of the disease is characterized by the fact that it manifests sluggishly. The patient, as a rule, almost completely refuses to eat due to too poor condition, which significantly complicates the treatment.
- Atrophic gingivitis. In this case, the patient has a decrease in gum size.
- Marginal, or marginal gingivitis. The main symptom of this form is that a small tubercle forms in the gum, in which pus accumulates. With this form, the interdental papillae are damaged, as well as the gums.
What is the difference between gingivitis and other gum diseases?
Symptoms (and treatment of gingivitis, including ulcerative) can be similar to other diseases of the oral cavity. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a detailed study of the dentition, as well as to study all the symptoms.
Such diseases include periodontitis, which is a complication of advanced gingivitis. The main difference here can be considered only loosening of the teeth, as well as destruction of bone tissue. Periodontitis is also characterized by bleeding gums and the formation of periodontal pockets.
Periodontal disease can also be confused with gingivitis. However, its consequences are somewhat different. Periodontal disease leads to the destruction of the alveolar process, as well as to exposure of the tooth neck. The gap between the teeth can be seen with professional cleaning.
Gingivitis is also often confused with stomatitis. However, they differ in the localization of inflammation. After all, if only gum becomes inflamed with gingivitis, then with stomatitis, inflammation spreads to the entire mucous membrane, palate and cheeks, they swell and redden.
Gingivitis and pregnancy: is there a connection?
Treating a disease during pregnancy is different from treating gingivitis in other adults. During pregnancy, there are sharp changes in the hormonal background in the girl, which leads to weakening of the periodontium. This leads to an increased risk of diseases of the oral cavity.
Often, gingivitis is found in women in the second trimester of pregnancy, even if they carefully try to monitor the hygiene of their oral cavity. During this period of time, the gums begin to swell, blush and even bleed.
Treatment of gingivitis in pregnant women
There is an opinion that it is not necessary to treat gingivitis during pregnancy, because after the birth of a baby the disease supposedly goes away on its own. In fact, this opinion is erroneous, because after gingivitis it simply goes into a chronic form. And the symptoms become less noticeable.
The treatment of gingivitis can be avoided if you regularly visit the dentist during pregnancy, and also remove tartar if necessary. Dentists recommend flossing and irrigating to lower the risk of any oral disease.
As for drug treatment, a mandatory consultation with a doctor is required. Many drugs can be banned, because they will be unsafe for the life and development of the child. As a treatment for gingivitis at home, pregnant girls are prescribed rinses. The complex of treatment also includes the intake of vitamin-mineral components, as well as the removal of dental deposits as a preventive measure.
Treatment in other cases
If the disease was detected at an early stage, you can achieve recovery as quickly as possible. With proper treatment, recovery will come in one to two weeks. But there are nuances. Adult gingivitis treatment and symptoms may vary from case to case. Many factors play a role here, including: the patient’s age, the severity of the form of gingivitis, the very form of the disease, as well as the cause of its occurrence. In some cases, a replacement seal may be required. This occurs if gingivitis is caused by overhanging the fillings.
Each patient is prescribed vitamin complexes. Indeed, with gingivitis, a weakening of the immune system is often observed, whose work needs to be quickly restored. Patients with severe forms of the disease are additionally prescribed a course of antibiotics to avoid complications during treatment.
Treatment errors
The first step to getting rid of gingivitis is usually the appointment of a professional brushing. It will help to remove a light coating on them, as well as get rid of hard stone. It is at this stage that a large number of patients feel significant relief. Symptoms become less noticeable, and as a result, the patient refuses further treatment. This is actually a mistake, because in this case relapse of the disease is possible.
A common mistake is also that the patient during the course of treatment does not monitor oral hygiene and does not follow basic recommendations. This can significantly slow down the healing process. Typically, a periodontist gives the patient detailed recommendations on how to properly care for the oral cavity.
Treatment of the disease at home
Gingivitis in adults can be treated additionally at home. In order to get rid of itching and other unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to use gels and ointments. They must be applied to the gum to protect it from external stimuli.
To speed up the treatment will also help toothpastes with anti-inflammatory effect, preferably those that include medicinal herbs (such as chamomile). They will help the patient to get rid of bleeding gums, and slightly speed up the treatment.
Please note: it is strictly not recommended to use whitening toothpastes during the treatment period, because they only irritate the gums more strongly due to the presence of abrasive particles in them.
Gingivitis in children
Symptoms and treatment of this disease in children are different from adults. For example, if gingivitis is diagnosed in a child under one year old, he will simply become too moody and will cry more often. Treatment of gingivitis in children will depend on the causes of this disease. In addition to all the factors already listed, in babies there are also additional ones. Among them, for example, too much or too little load on the teeth, malocclusion, uneven tooth growth, improper brushing or decreased immunity due to acute respiratory diseases.
The treatment of gingivitis in children can be avoided if toothbrushing occurs in adults (the first few years of a child's life), so that they monitor and teach the child how to brush their teeth. It is also recommended to regularly show the child to the doctor and carefully monitor the manifestation of the symptoms of gingivitis in children. Treatment is best started as early as possible.
How to observe proper nutrition with gingivitis
Nutrition for these diseases should include many new products that will facilitate the course of the disease. These include the following:
- Fruits. Pears and apples, the composition of which will help speed up the healing process of the gums, as well as blackberries, raspberries and currants. They will be able to raise immunity. Also useful are citrus fruits, which contain vitamin C, because it will help strengthen blood vessels and reduce bleeding.
- Vegetables, including carrots, cabbage and zucchini, which are rich in fiber.
It is also recommended to significantly reduce the amount of flour, sweet and potatoes in food intake. After all, these products form a large amount of plaque on the teeth.
How to prevent the development of gingivitis?
As for nutrition, the diet must be rich in hard fruits or vegetables, which will help to regularly clean off plaque from the teeth. The latter must be cleaned at least twice a day, they must be smooth after this procedure. A medium hard brush is recommended. It will not allow you to significantly injure your gums.
It is recommended that you visit the dentist at least once every six months, as well as carry out professional cleaning, which eliminates tartar and plaque. This will help to timely diagnose any diseases of the oral cavity and prescribe the right treatment. As mentioned above, regular use of dental floss will not be superfluous. After all, it is good practice to maintain oral hygiene throughout the day.
Conclusion
So, we found out the main symptoms, causes and methods of treatment for this disease. Do not delay the elimination of a disease such as gingivitis. If the symptoms are mild, do not think that gingivitis has passed. Soon he can develop into a different, more serious stage.