Do you have Gingivitis? Can all infections in the oral cavity be categorized as Gingivitis? Actually, they are not. Oral infections can be of different kinds including dental caries, canker sores, herpangina, oral herpes, thrush, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and even periodontitis, an infection that is directly associated with gingivitis. So, how do you detect the kind of infection you have? Is there any difference or do they all look alike?
Infections, although possible to get mistaken for another, often exhibit varying symptoms which makes it somewhat easy for us to identify them. Gingivitis also has certain unique symptoms some of which are apparent whereas others not so much, but will help detect the presence of the condition.
So now, let’s get into the details of the infection, what causes it, risk factors, how can it be prevented and treated, and its complications to get a better understanding of the condition.
What is Gingivitis?
Also known as ‘bleeding gum’, Gingivitis is a bacterial infection in the oral cavity that appears as inflamed gums. The gums will turn red and swollen with plaque, bacteria, and tartar buildup. Gingivitis, if treated, will go away easily since it’s only the beginning stage of more serious oral health issues. However, neglecting the symptoms could lead to tooth decay and periodontitis, a more severe condition.
Unlike a popular misconception, Gingivitis is a quite common condition among the world population. As per certain studies, around 90% of the world population has gingivitis to certain degrees. Although the condition is easily developed during childhood, puberty, and early adult life, it’s even more common in individuals above 30 but often goes unnoticed due to not-so-visible symptoms.
How to Know If You Have Gingivitis?
As mentioned, a lot of people have gum diseases of a certain degree but do not often get noticed due to different reasons. However, if you observe closely, you will be able to identify Gungivitis of any degree, at home.
What is one of the first signs of gingivitis? Some of the symptoms/signs you should look for include;
- Red or hyperpigmented gums
- Swelling
- Highly sensitive and bleeding gums
- Plaque accumulation
- Bad breath
- Sensitivity to extreme temperatures
- Pain while chewing food
- Receding gums
As the condition progresses, the color of the gum changes into darker shades of red, a sign of increased inflammation. You will find it bleeding whenever you brush or in extreme cases, when you chew food. The breath will remain stinky no matter how long or how many times you brush a day, due to bacterial accumulation.
The symptoms vary based on the severity of your condition. If it’s at the extreme stage, you will notice all or most of these symptoms whereas Gingivitis in the beginning stage only exhibits mild symptoms that don’t cause you pain or discomfort, one of the reasons why it does not often get noticed.
Causes of Gingivitis
The root cause of Gingivitis is often a lack of oral hygiene. Not brushing your teeth twice a day, not taking enough time while you do it, not using mouthwash, and having too many sweets or sugary foods, all increase the risk of the gum condition. When exposed to such conditions for long enough, it will result in plaque & bacterial accumulation, and tartar formation, which are the earlier symptoms of Gingivitis. Besides, poor oral hygiene, the common causes of Gingivitis are,
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Hormonal changes
- Chewing tobacco
- Certain medications
Some of the cancer and epilepsy drugs, oral contraceptives, and blood pressure pills are a few kinds of medications that increase the risk of Gingivitis. Another interesting discovery about the conditions states that people with XX chromosomes show more risk of getting infected than the rest.
Risk factors of Gingivitis
Risk factors of Gingivitis include the consequences of the condition as well as the habits that cause Gingivitis. While the consequences of Gingivitis include tooth caries, tooth falling out, inflammation, and periodontitis, the risk factors associated with the onset of the infection include,
- High salivary pH or alkaline pH
- Dry mouth
- Aging
- Habits like smoking and chewing tobacco
- Unbalanced diet
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Crooked teeth
- Not properly brushing and flossing teeth
- Lower immunity
- Improper maintenance of teeth modifications including veneers, fillers, implants, and crowns
How Do You Fix Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is not incurable and can easily be prevented or treated if you follow a few simple steps.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Building and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is an inevitable factor when it comes to restoring your oral health. Brush twice daily, use mouthwash regularly, especially after eating something sugary, and floss after every meal to avoid bacterial accumulation and plaque buildup.
- Try home remedies: Certain home remedies like oil pulling, chewing clove, and applying turmeric help with maintaining teeth and gum health. These ingredients possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the gum from getting infected.
- Regular dentist visits: Although we prefer to visit our dentist once the symptoms get worse with a severe toothache, bleeding gums, and a breath that even we can’t stand, preventing the infection requires more regular checkups. You should see your doctor at least every six months to get your teeth cleaned and check for any decay or inflammation that is not easily observable.
Complications of Gingivitis
Complications of Gingivitis range from the mildest symptoms of bad breath and sensitive teeth to more severe issues of heart disease and Alzheimer’s. While mild symptoms appear at the early stages of the condition, the latter will develop only if the infection is left untreated.
Here is a list of complications you should be on the lookout for if you have gum disease.
- Swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums
- Increased teeth sensitivity and tooth loss
- Receding, sensitive gums
- Bad breath
- Diabetes
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiovascular issues
- Mouth cancer
- Periodontitis
Conclusion
Now that we are about to conclude, I hope you have learned how to identify Gingivitis and built a better awareness of its preventive measures, complications, causes, risk factors, and such. Gingivitis is usually exhibited as swollen, inflamed, and receding gums, increased sensitivity in the oral cavity, plaque accumulation, and in extreme cases, loose teeth.
The major causes of Gingivitis include poor oral hygiene, smoking, hormonal changes, medications, and sometimes genetics. Although there is nothing much to be done about the genes, you can prevent the onset of the condition by practicing good oral hygiene. Brushing at least twice a day, rinsing with mouthwash, and getting your teeth cleaned professionally are some of the measures you could take as part of maintaining hygiene.
Gingivitis, in its early stages, can be treated with home remedies including oil pulling and application of clove or turmeric. If advances, it could lead to severe conditions like periodontitis, respiratory issues, tooth decay, and even cardiovascular problems. To avoid such potential results, get regular checkups and seek immediate medical attention if the infection gets worse.
FAQs
Regular dentist visits every six months are advised whether or not you have Gingivitis. However, if you have chronic toothache and bad breath along with red, swollen gums, it’s high time you make an appointment and get it treated.
One of the most common and earlier signs of gingivitis is plaque accumulation on teeth. This could develop into bad breath and tooth caries, increasing the sensitivity of teeth and gums.
Apparently, the condition is very common. More than 50% of adults, especially those above thirty have Gingivitis of some degree.
If diagnosed in the beginning, and taken care of with a popper oral care routine, Gingivitis will go away on its own. However, in extreme cases, it will require medical attention, professional cleaning, and sometimes medication to get rid of the infection.
They are not. Periodontitis is the advanced condition of Gingivitis which will manifest if the infection is left untreated.
In the early stages, no, it’s not painful. However, as the condition progresses, you will experience gum and tooth pain of varying degrees that can only be treated with medications.
References
Trombelli L, Farina R, Silva CO, Tatakis DN. Plaque-induced gingivitis: Case definition and diagnostic considerations. J Periodontol. 2018 Jun;89 Suppl 1:S46-S73. [PubMed]
Syndergaard B, Al-Sabbagh M, Kryscio RJ, Xi J, Ding X, Ebersole JL, Miller CS. Salivary biomarkers associated with gingivitis and response to therapy. J Periodontol. 2014 Aug;85(8):e295-303. [PMC free article]
