Topics:
Periodontal (Gum) Disease:
Inflammation of the gums – gingivitis
In addition to bleeding gums, gingivitis is accompanied by redness and swelling of the gums, and sometimes there is an unpleasant odor. Smokers, diabetics, people in puberty, pregnant and menopausal women are especially prone to developing gingivitis. Neglected gingivitis can damage the tissue that holds the teeth in the jaw and will loosen over time. What is very probable is that in that case, periodontitis and tooth loss will occur.
Gingivitis is always accompanied by pain. Patients describe it as more or less pronounced pain, which can affect the entire side of one jaw and is difficult to localize.
Due to the swollen and enlarged gums, there is a feeling of a foreign body between the teeth. However, this feeling also occurs due to the presence of tartar on the teeth or the fall of food in the deep periodontal pockets.
Why does gingivitis occur?
Untreated dental plaque and tartar are the primary causes of gingivitis but we must mention other factors as well:
- hormonal changes (during pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, puberty),
- various diseases of the organism (cancer, HIV, diabetes…),
- use of certain drugs,
- the existence of bad habits such as cigarette consumption.
Gingivitis and periodontitis – what are the differences?
The difference is mostly reflected in the localization of the disease. Inflammation of the gums, professionally called gingivitis, is limited to the soft tissue or gums. Although gingivitis causes redness, enlargement and bleeding of the gums, the bone is not damaged, the teeth still have bone support and do not move in the bone. Untreated gingivitis slowly turns into periodontitis, which affects not only the gums but also the bone around the teeth. Bacteria and their toxins that are present during periodontitis destroy the jawbone and lead to the recession of bones and gums around the teeth, the formation of deep periodontal pockets and bad breath. As the disease progresses, loosening, shifting and loss of teeth occur.
How is gingivitis treated?
The goal of treatment is to ensure the re-attachment of healthy gums to the tooth, eliminate pus and further risk of infection. The methods of treatment depend on the stage of the disease and the general health of the organism. It always starts with non-surgical procedures to control the presence of bacteria. If there is a need, surgical procedures are introduced with mandatory training and monitoring of regular oral and dental hygiene.
It is important to know how to prevent gingivitis. This condition is reversible, which means that by treating the gums, we can return to the condition they were in before the disease. The key lies in the control of dental plaque and this can be achieved with proper and thorough oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning in the office.
Inflammation of the gums in pregnant women
Since pregnancy affects all aspects of a woman’s life, it is necessary to pay special attention to both general and oral health during that period. For your and your baby’s health, you need to have an optimally balanced diet rich in protein, minerals and vitamins. It is necessary to come to regular dental examinations even then, where we will consider other potential problems (dry mouth, or increased salivation, urge to vomit when brushing teeth, tooth erosion, exposure to X-rays, taking certain dental medications …).
Inflammation of the gums in pregnant women is also called “pregnancy gingivitis”. It is manifested by changes in the gums in the form of redness, swelling and bleeding when brushing teeth. It starts around the second month of pregnancy, most often due to elevated hormone levels or a change in immune status. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to serious periodontal disease.
Treatment of gingivitis in pregnant women includes all measures that are carried out in the usual treatment, with certain modifications due to another condition. Although therapy may not give a complete recovery during this period, it is important to maintain the results achieved so that more serious problems do not occur. This way, the gums maintained after the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding completely recover and are cured.