Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. But it's important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease (periodontitis) and eventual tooth loss.
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent gingivitis.
SYMPTOMS
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If your gums are puffy, dusky red and bleed easily, you may have gingivitis. Because gingivitis is seldom painful, you can have gingivitis without even knowing it.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include:
Swollen gums
Soft, puffy gums
Receding gums
Occasionally, tender gums
Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss, sometimes seen as redness or pinkness on your brush or floss
A change in the color of your gums from a healthy pink to dusky red
Bad breath
When to see a dentist
Most dentists recommend regular checkups to identify gingivitis, cavities (caries) and other dental conditions before they cause troubling symptoms and lead to more serious problems. If you notice any signs and symptoms of gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage from gingivitis and preventing its progression to periodontitis.
CAUSES
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene that encourages plaque to form. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film composed mainly of bacteria. Plaque forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing each day removes plaque. Plaque requires daily removal because it re-forms quickly, usually within 24 hours.
Plaque that stays on your teeth longer than two or three days can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus). Tartar can also develop resulting from the mineral content in your saliva. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and creates a protective shield for bacteria. You usually can't get rid of tartar by brushing and flossing — you need a professional dental cleaning to remove it.
The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. Tooth decay (dental caries) also may result.
RISK FACTORS
Gingivitis is common, and anyone can develop it. Many people first experience gum problems during puberty and then in varying degrees throughout life.
Factors that can increase your risk of gingivitis include:
Poor oral health habits
Tobacco use
Diabetes
Older age
Decreased immunity as a result of leukemia, HIV/AIDS or other conditions
Certain medications
Certain viral and fungal infections
Dry mouth
Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy, your menstrual cycle or use of birth control pills
Poor nutrition
Substance abuse
Ill-fitting dental restorations
COMPLICATIONS
Untreated gingivitis can progress to gum disease that spreads to underlying tissue and bone (periodontitis), a much more serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.
Periodontitis and poor oral health in general may also affect your overall health. It's not completely understood — and researchers haven't established whether periodontal disease actually causes any of these conditions — but having periodontitis may be associated with:
Heart attack
Stroke
Lung disease
Premature birth or having a baby with low birth weight, in women
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Follow your dentist's recommended schedule for regular checkups. If you notice any symptoms of gingivitis, make an appointment with your dentist.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your dentist.
What you can do
Consider preparing a list of questions to ask your dentist, such as:
Do you think gingivitis is causing my symptoms?
What kinds of tests, if any, do I need?
Will my dental insurance cover the treatments you're recommending?
What are the alternatives to the approach you're suggesting?
What steps can I take at home to keep my gums and teeth healthy?
What kind of toothpaste do you recommend?
How often should I brush?
What kind of toothbrush do you recommend?
What kind of dental floss do you recommend?
How often should I floss?
Do you recommend use of mouthwash?
Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have?
What websites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment at any time if you don't understand something.
What to expect from your dentist
Your dentist may ask you questions about your symptoms, such as:
When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
How often do you brush your teeth?
Do you use dental floss? How often?
What medical conditions do you have?
What medications do you take?
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Dentists usually diagnose gingivitis based on symptoms and an examination of your teeth, gums, mouth and tongue. Your dentist will look for plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and check your gums for redness, puffiness and easy bleeding.
If it's not clear what has caused your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that you get a medical evaluation to check for underlying health conditions.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
Prompt treatment usually reverses symptoms of gingivitis and prevents its progression to more serious gum disease and tooth loss. Effective treatment requires professional care followed by stepped up oral hygiene at home.
Professional gingivitis care includes:
An initial evaluation and thorough dental cleaning to remove all traces of plaque and tartar
Instruction on effective home brushing and flossing techniques
Regular professional checkups and cleaning
Possibly fixing crowns or fillings (dental restorations) that make good hygiene difficult
Your initial professional cleaning will include use of dental instruments to remove all traces of plaque and tartar — a procedure known as scaling. Scaling may be uncomfortable, especially if your gums are already sensitive or you have extensive plaque and tartar buildup.
Misaligned teeth or poorly fitting crowns, bridges or other dental restorations may irritate your gums and make it harder to remove plaque during daily home care. If problems with your teeth or dental restorations contribute to your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems.
Gingivitis usually clears up after a thorough professional cleaning — as long as you continue good oral hygiene at home. Your dentist will help you plan an effective at-home program.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
The best way to prevent gingivitis is a program of good dental hygiene, one that you begin early and practice consistently throughout life. A complete cleaning with a toothbrush and floss should take three to five minutes. Flossing before you brush allows you to clean away the loosened food particles and bacteria.
See your dentist or dental hygienist regularly for professional cleanings, usually every six to 12 months. If you have risk factors that increase your chance of developing gingivitis, you may need professional dental cleanings more often.
 PREDISPOSING FACTORS, RISK FACTORS, TREATMENT AND HOME REMEDIES.){kind=link}
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