If your gums itch and bleed or you notice red, swollen gums it could be a sign of gingivitis, also known as periodontal disease. It’s not uncommon. It affects up to 50% of adults and is particularly common among people with diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss and other serious health issues. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to avoid or reverse the effects of this unpleasant condition. Keep reading to learn more about what causes gum disease and how to prevent it in the future.
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It is an infection in the gums caused by bacteria that leads to swelling and bleeding. If left untreated, it can develop into Periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that are found in everyone’s mouths. Normally, these bacteria stay in the gum area and do not cause any problems.
However, when plaque builds up on the teeth, it forms a sticky film that traps more bacteria. This plaque buildup occurs when people do not brush and floss daily. It can also occur in people who have a condition that affects how their body removes plaque, such as diabetes. Gingivitis is reversible through daily brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist. If you have gingivitis, it is important to take steps to reverse it so that it does not turn into Periodontitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss and other serious health issues.
Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gingivitis and periodontitis are different stages of gum disease. Gingivitis is inflammation limited mainly to the gums. It commonly causes redness, swelling and bleeding but does not involve permanent loss of the bone supporting the teeth. Periodontitis is a more advanced condition in which inflammation affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal pockets may develop between the teeth and gums, and the supporting bone can gradually be lost. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with effective plaque control and professional care. Periodontitis can be controlled, but the attachment and bone already lost may not return completely without specific regenerative treatment.
Common Symptoms of Gum Disease
- Bleeding while brushing or cleaning between the teeth
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession
- Teeth appearing longer
- Sensitivity around exposed roots
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- Spaces developing between teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pain or discomfort while chewing
- Changes in the way the teeth meet
- Changes in the fit of a denture
What Causes Gingivitis and Gum Disease?
Dental plaque is the most common cause of gingivitis. If plaque is not removed adequately, it can harden into calculus or tartar, which cannot be removed through normal brushing. The body’s inflammatory response to plaque can damage periodontal tissues in susceptible patients. Progression is influenced by oral hygiene, genetics, smoking, general health and other risk factors.
Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease
- Inadequate brushing and interdental cleaning
- Tobacco smoking or chewing
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Family history of periodontitis
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medicines
- Dry mouth
- Crooked teeth that are difficult to clean
- Defective fillings, crowns or bridges
- Reduced immunity
- Stress and poor general health
- Previous history of periodontal disease
How Is Gum Disease Diagnosed?
A dentist may diagnose gum disease by examining the gums, measuring the spaces around the teeth and assessing bleeding, recession, mobility and plaque deposits. The assessment may include:
- Periodontal probing
- Measurement of gum recession
- Tooth-mobility assessment
- Evaluation of the bite
- Dental X-rays to assess supporting bone
- Review of medical conditions and medicines
- Smoking and oral-hygiene history
Treatment for Gingivitis
Treatment for plaque-induced gingivitis commonly includes professional cleaning and improvement of daily oral hygiene. Patients may be advised to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth using floss or interdental brushes suited to the available spaces. A therapeutic mouthwash may occasionally be advised as an additional measure. Mouthwash cannot remove tartar and should not replace brushing or interdental cleaning.
Treatment for Periodontitis
- Oral-hygiene instruction
- Professional removal of plaque and tartar
- Scaling and root-surface debridement
- Management of contributing restorations
- Smoking cessation
- Improvement of diabetic control
- Review and reassessment
- Periodontal surgery in selected cases
- Regenerative procedures in suitable defects
- Extraction of teeth that cannot be predictably maintained
Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
Plaque-induced gingivitis can generally be reversed when plaque and tartar are controlled before supporting tissue has been permanently damaged. Periodontitis cannot simply be reversed through brushing or mouthwash because supporting attachment and bone have already been lost. Treatment aims to control inflammation, stop or slow progression and preserve the remaining teeth. Selected bone defects may be suitable for regenerative periodontal procedures, but this is not possible in every case.
How do you know if you have Gingivitis?
If your gums are red, swollen, and bleed when you brush your teeth, chances are you have some level of gum disease. The first sign of gingivitis is bleeding gums, which can be alleviated by flossing more. Other symptoms include a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, and if left untreated, the gums can pull away from the teeth. Gingivitis is reversible, but you will want to prevent it from progressing to periodontitis. If you have gingivitis, you should talk to your dentist about how to reverse the condition.
- Gum inflammation and discolouration
- Tender gums that may be painful to the touch
- Bleeding from the gums when brushing or flossing
- Halitosis, or bad breath
- Receding gums
- Soft gums
3 Ways To Prevent Gingivitis
Brush your teeth twice a day!
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and be sure to brush the gum line as well.While you’re sleeping, plaque-causing bacteria are multiplying in your mouth. Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning can be beneficial by removing this plaque and bacteria. Brushing your teeth in the morning also helps because it introduces fluoride into your mouth before you eat your first meal of the day. You can help cleanse your mouth of the bacteria that multiplied overnight, which helps lessen the number of particles that turn to acid from your breakfast!
If you’re one of those who like to brush after a meal, be sure to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. You Can brush immediately after finishing a meal, you may be removing those helpful minerals in your saliva. If you need a rinse after eating, drinking water or chewing sugarless gum can help increase saliva flow so that it can do its job in keeping your teeth healthy.
Floss daily to prevent gum diseases
This removes the plaque that accumulates between your teeth, which is not reachable by a toothbrush alone. Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth to remove plaque (a sticky film that contains bacteria). Flossing gets between your teeth to clean away the plaque. By flossing and brushing your teeth, you’re removing plaque and the bacteria in it that feeds on sugar and particles of food that remain in your mouth after eating.
When the bacteria feed, they release an acid that can eat away at your enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth) and cause cavities. Also, plaque that isn’t cleaned away can eventually harden into calculus (tartar) that can collect on your gumline and lead to gingivitis and gum disease.
See your Dentist
Visiting the dentist for regular cleanings helps prevent gum disease from developing into periodontitis.While it’s true that visiting the dentist twice a year is a good rule of thumb for many people, the truth is that you have your own unique smile needs. So it depends on your oral hygiene, habits, and individual medical conditions.
Some people only need to visit the dentist once or twice are year, while others may need to go more often. So, always remember to ask your dentist when you should schedule your next appointment. And don’t worry! They’ll probably tell you when they want to see you next anyway.
Conclusion
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It is an infection in the gums caused by bacteria that leads to swelling and bleeding. If left untreated, it can develop into Periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that are found in everyone’s mouths. When plaque builds up on the teeth, it forms a sticky film that traps more bacteria.
This plaque buildup occurs when people do not brush and floss daily. Gum Disease is caused by the bacteria in plaque building up in the gums. This can lead to red, swollen gums, and bleeding. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread and cause damage to the bone and tissue that holds the teeth in place. If you have gum disease, there are steps you can take to reverse it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gingivitis the same as gum disease?
Gingivitis is the earliest and mildest form of gum disease. Periodontitis is a more advanced form involving damage to the supporting tissues and bone.
Can gingivitis be cured completely?
Plaque-induced gingivitis can usually be reversed through professional cleaning and effective daily plaque control. It may return if oral hygiene becomes inadequate again.
Can periodontitis be cured?
Periodontitis can generally be controlled rather than described as permanently cured. Patients remain susceptible to recurrence and require long-term periodontal maintenance.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding commonly results from plaque-related inflammation, but it may also be influenced by traumatic brushing, medication, medical conditions or other oral problems. Persistent bleeding requires professional assessment.
Can gum disease occur without bleeding?
Yes. Smoking may reduce visible bleeding despite active periodontal disease. Some patients with advanced disease may also notice few symptoms.
Does mouthwash cure gum disease?
No. Mouthwash may help reduce plaque or gingivitis as an adjunct, but it cannot remove tartar or treat deep periodontal pockets and supporting bone loss.
Can gum disease make teeth loose?
Advanced periodontitis can destroy the bone and attachment supporting teeth, resulting in mobility, migration or eventual tooth loss.
Can teeth be saved after bone loss?
Some teeth with periodontal bone loss can be maintained through appropriate treatment and long-term maintenance. Prognosis depends on the extent and pattern of bone loss, tooth mobility, root anatomy, smoking, diabetes and oral hygiene.
Is gum recession always caused by gum disease?
No. Recession may also be associated with traumatic brushing, thin gum tissue, tooth position, orthodontic movement or ageing. Periodontal examination can help identify the cause.
How often should periodontal patients have cleaning?
The interval depends on disease severity, treatment response and individual risk. Some patients may require maintenance approximately every three to four months, while others can be reviewed less frequently.
When should bleeding gums be treated urgently?
Seek prompt dental care if bleeding is persistent or accompanied by swelling, pus, severe pain, loose teeth, facial swelling, fever or difficulty opening the mouth.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is for patient education only. Dental treatment should be planned after clinical examination, medical history review, and X-rays or scans where required. Treatment suitability, cost, timeline, healing, and results vary from patient to patient.
