What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis commonly caused by bacteria is a gum inflammation which can become more serious infection known as periodontitis if left untreated.gingivitis and periodontitis are major cause of tooth loss in adults.
What Causes Gingivitis
Foods that get trapped in the sulcus which is a small space where the gum attach to the teeth is the major cause of gum infection and gingivitis
When plaque which is thin film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth extends below the gum line can cause the infection.as the plaque advances it hardens and become tartar.unchecked gingivitis can cause injury to the soft tissue and the bone supporting the teeth and eventually that leads to the loss of tooth.
Risk Factors for Gingivitis
The following are risk factors for gingivitis:
smoking or chewing tobacco
diabetes
consuming certain medications (oral contraceptives, steroids, anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, and chemotherapy)
crooked teeth
dental appliances that fit poorly
broken fillings
pregnancy
genetic factors
compromised immunity (such as HIV/AIDS patients
What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis
Mostly people wont realize when they have gingivitis.some of the symptoms that may indicate gingivitis includes.
Gum bleeding while brushing or flossing
foul smell even after brushing the teeth
gums that are red,tender and swollen
pain while chewing
sensitive teeth
loose teeth
pus between gum and teeth
How Is Gingivitis Treated
Proper oral hygiene is the key to healthy gum and teeth.controlling diabetes and smoking habits not only help for the gum but for over all health of the body.some of the treatments includes deep cleaning of the teeth ,use of antibiotics and surgery
Scaling,root planning and laser treatment are some of the ways we can reduce the gum disease other than surgery
How Can Gingivitis Be Prevented
Consistent and proper oral hygiene is the key to prevent gingivitis.make certain to eat a balanced diet and a regular visit to the dentist can help to avoid all the gum related disorder.brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day can make oral health much better.flossing before brushing removes the food particles and other plaque in teeth and if you have one or more risk factors for the gingivitis doing a professional dental cleaning is advisable to avoid the gum infection.after professional cleaning of the teeth your gums may be more sensitive for few days and special floss is available for sensitive gums.
Gingivitis in pregnancy
Gingivitis is common in pregnancy and almost 40% of pregnant women will develop gingivitis at some point of time.gums are more likely to be get inflamed during pregnancy due to the changes in the hormone level in pregnancy.it is thought that increased level of testosterone during pregnancy makes the bacteria to grow and develop the gingivitis.gingivitis can be prevented in pregnancy by practicing better oral hygiene like brushing twice daily,flossing once a day and using antimicrobial mouth washes.dont skip to see a dentist to do a professional cleaning of the teeth since being a pregnant women.mild form of gum disease is unlikely to make any pregnancy related problems to the baby but severe gingivitis can cause premature birth and low weight babies.