Symptoms of Gingivitis - To Help Early Detection

What You Need to Know About Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, which is developed due to bacterial infection caused by overgrowth of plaque. It is an inflammation of the gums and is mainly caused by bacterial infections. But if it is left untreated, it can become a more serious condition known as Periodontitis. Some common symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen and bleeding gums.

What is Gingivitis Gum disease?

Gingivitis is a very mild and common form of gum disease. It starts to develop when plaque, tartar, and bacteria build up on your teeth. It causes red, swollen gum and bleeding in the gingiva, mainly located around the base of your teeth. It is important to treat gingivitis and take it seriously. Gingivitis does not cause any bone loss, but if you keep ignoring it, it may cause serious gum disease known as Periodontitis or tooth loss. However, good oral health habits can help you in better treatment.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is repose to your body's inflammation of plaque and tartar on your teeth. If tartar and plaque remain for too long on your teeth, it may cause gum irritation, which results in red, swollen gums.

Here are some situations that can put you at higher risk of gingivitis:

•  If you are pregnant and experiencing hormonal change that is linked to oral health. 
• When a person doesn't take good care of their teeth.
• Chew tobacco or smoke.
• Have a family history of gum disease. 
•  Have diabetes.
• Have crooked teeth that are hard to clean.

You can develop gingivitis due to some over-the-counter and prescribed medications, as some medicines reduce the production of saliva, resulting in dry mouth. However, saliva helps keep the mouth clean. Here are some examples of such medications:

• Calcium channel blockers for blood pressure. 
• Some cancer therapies.
• Drugs to treat epilepsy.
• Oral contraceptives.

Is Gingivitis Contagious? 

The bacteria that causes gingivitis is contagious, as they are transmissible from one person to another. It is shown that people who have gingivitis can spread these bacteria through saliva-to-saliva contact. However, there are chances that you won't get gingivitis from just kissing or sharing the same utensils, but making saliva-to-saliva contact can give you gingivitis. The risk of getting gingivitis is higher when a person doesn't have proper oral hygiene or has a health condition that may make you more vulnerable to the disease.

What are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

Healthy gums are more tight around teeth and look pale pink. However, symptoms of gingivitis won't be obvious in the early stages; sometimes, people may have it but won't notice it. The condition gets worse over time, and there are chances you may develop:

•  Bad breath that doesn't go away, even after using mouthwash or brush. 
• Red, swollen or puffy gums.
• Sensitivity to cold or hot foods.
• Gums that bleed easily when you both floss or brush. 
• You feel pain or tenderness when you chew food. 
• Gum becomes darker in colour, like bright red or dark Red. 
• Loose tooth.

When to Consult Your Doctor?

If you notice any of these symptoms of gingivitis, you should consult your doctor immediately; early treatment can reverse the damage of gingivitis and prevent you from getting Periodontitis. However, you should contact your healthcare provider if you have any kind of gum disease or if you are in an early stage of gum disease. Early signs of gingivitis are red, bleeding, swollen gum, and bad breath. If you feel you have any of these symptoms or Sensitivity to hot and cold food, that is the time you should consult your doctor for treatment options.

How to Diagnose Gingivitis?

If you feel or see any symptoms of gingivitis, you should immediately consult a dentist for a checkup. Your dentist/healthcare provider will ask you a few questions related to your medical history and medication details. After that, the dentist will inspect your mouth for:

• Bleeding.
• Loose teeth.
• Signs of infection, which may cause swelling and redness in gums. 
• gum pulling away from teeth.
• May also ask you for an X-ray.

How Do You Treat Gingivitis?

The treatment of gingivitis mainly restores healthy teeth and gums, and it also controls infections created by bacteria. Your dentist will first properly clean your teeth to remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria.

Here are some additional gingivitis treatments includes: 

• Improve oral hygiene: By improving your oral hygiene and getting a good dental cleaning can clear up gingivitis. But after the process, you also have to maintain cleanliness and oral hygiene. You can learn how to keep your teeth clean and make schedule checkups. 
• Antimicrobial mouthwash: Start rinsing your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash, as it can help destroy disease-causing bacteria. 
• Scaling and root planing: The procedure is the same as routine dental cleaning; however, in this process, the machine gets deeper beneath the gums to clean tartar, plaque and bacteria. And create a smooth surface to prevent bacteria from sticking. 
• Dental work repair: There is a chance that your dentist may remove or fix bridges and crowns or fillings that do not fit right or stick out. However, it is easier to keep a smoother surface clean and maintained.

Complications: 

Treating gingivitis on time is important, as it can lead to more serious health conditions and serious gum disease like Periodontitis. However, gum diseases can affect teeth, tissues, and bones and can spread easily if a person doesn't treat them. And can increase the chances of complications like:

• Recurrent gingivitis.
• Trench mouth, In which bacterial infection leads to ulceration of the gums. 
• Periodontitis- a serious condition which can lead to tooth loss and even bone loss. 
• Abscess or infection in jaw bone or gingiva.

Conclusion: 

Gingivitis is a common gum disease, and it is caused due to the build-up of bacteria on the teeth. This bacterial build-up can irritate surrounding gums tissues, cause inflammation in gums, and also result in discolouration and painful gums.

Many people can treat gingivitis with proper hygiene practices, regular checkups, and, most importantly, by identifying signs of gum disease at an early stage. It will help you with better treatment and reduce the risk of getting serious gum disease.