What You Should Know about Gingivitis?

Of all the medical sciences and specializations we now have across the world, dentistry is supposed to be the costliest field ever. Tooth decay, broken tooth, oral cavities, inflammation of the gums and other teeth related problems can surely blow up your wallet. Having dental insurance is mandatory these days. Depending upon the food we eat, our lifestyle and health habits our teeth take a toll in the long run. Gingivitis or the inflammation of the gums is a serious disorder that is currently making news. Dentists opine that out of every ten cases they deal, eight are due to gingivitis.

This disease is predominantly caused due to bacteria that sit on our teeth and form plaque. If such plaque is not treated in the early stages, it causes inflammation and erosion of the gums, loosening the teeth and making them bleed. If neglected, your two jaws and their teeth can be badly damaged. Read on to find the causes, symptoms and treatment for gingivitis and when you should rush to a dentist.

Causes of Gingivitis

Poor oral hygiene is the sole reason behind gingivitis say sehat.com dentists. When the teeth are not cleaned properly, all the bacteria in the food we eat, sit on the teeth for longer durations and forms a thin, sticky, colourless film called plaque. Brushing removes the plaque and keeps the teeth healthy. Such plaque when left without any action erodes the gums and starts uprooting the teeth from the gums. Tobacco and alcohol intake are two major causes too. Nicotine especially can harm the teeth and the highly sensitive gum areas. Flossing the mouth after you eat was found to be very beneficial in killing the bacteria and keeping the buccal cavity clean.

Risk Factors of Gingivitis

Pregnancy, diabetes, crooked teeth, old age, oral contraceptive pills, hereditary issues and certain steroids put people at a higher risk to contracting this harmful gum disorder.

Symptoms

Gingivitis is often called as a ‘silent killer’ because of its ability to silently attack the teeth cavities and cause destruction. The symptoms are so common that you will never know your teeth have been affected. Paying attention to these symptoms can help you in detecting this problem and treat it on time.

• Redness and swelling of the gums
• Loose teeth
• Regular bleeding of the gums
• Foul smelling breath that doesn’t go away
• Teeth sensitivity
• Severe pain while chewing food

If these symptoms persist over a period of time, chances are that it can be gingivitis. No home remedies or natural cures will help resolve the problem. A sehat.com Dentist will order x-rays and perform a thorough dental exam to check the intensity.

Treating Gingivitis

Scaling, root planning and laser action can remove plaque and tartar in and around the gums. In severe cases, your dentist might want to remove the teeth that are damaged and fill up the cavities. Otherwise, scaling is highly efficient in dealing with the problem. Similarly, antibiotic mouthwashes and oral antibiotics will be of great help in the treatment. Apart from the medication, oral hygiene is more important in curbing plaque and preventing further damage. Poor eating habits, unclean teeth, unwashed mouths and using weak toothpaste, all aid in aggravating gingivitis. Brushing twice a day and flossing your teeth atleast once a day can prevent this gum inflammatory disease.