Gingivitis is an inflammation of your gums. It is the first stage of periodontal (gum) disease, but it can be cured if treated.
If gingivitis is not treated, a more serious disease called periodontitis can occur. Periodontitis affects not only the gums, as in gingivitis, but also the bone and the ligaments that attach the gums, teeth, and bone.
Gingivitis is most often caused by bacteria found in plaque. Plaque is a sticky material made of mucus and saliva, food particles, and bacteria that live in the mouth. Chemicals produced by the bacteria in plaque inflame the gum tissue. The gums swell and become tender.
The most common cause of gingivitis is long-term neglect of oral health. Other causes of gingivitis are:
Also, mental or physical stress can make the disease more severe and harder to fight.
Symptoms of gingivitis may include:
During a dental exam, your dentist will look for signs of gingivitis, such as gums that bleed easily. The dentist will also look for plaque and tartar buildup along the gumline and under tissue in the space between a tooth and its tissue. Your dentist may use a probe that can make measurements to see if there is any bone loss. Tartar (also called calculus) is plaque that has absorbed minerals from saliva and calcified. It is as hard as limestone and forms in layers. Tartar can eventually separate the tooth from its attachments to bone and gum tissue.
Treatment begins with professional cleaning of your teeth. The dental hygienist will remove all tartar and plaque from the enamel and root surfaces of the teeth. Enamel is the outer layer of the chewing surface and sides of a tooth. In addition, the dentist or hygienist will teach you the best techniques for brushing and flossing. This may include the use of specially shaped wire brushes or rubber tips to clean between teeth and stimulate circulation in the gum tissue.
After the tartar and plaque are removed and the tooth and root surfaces are clean, the tissue can heal. Gum tissue can usually return to a firm, pink, and healthy condition within a few days to a few weeks.
Other treatments may include:
Your dentist or healthcare provider might talk to you about ways that your diet can help you have healthier gums.
Gingivitis affects only gum tissue and can be treated. However, if it is left untreated, bacteria causing gingivitis can eventually attack other tissues and may cause permanent damage to the supporting structures of the teeth. The bacteria can destroy the bone that surrounds the teeth. The teeth can become loose and eventually may need to be pulled.
If you develop gingivitis, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to soothe the tissue and reduce swelling. Take a nonprescription pain medicine to reduce the tenderness until the tissue begins to heal.
Start cleaning your teeth more thoroughly with better brushing and flossing. Be sure to massage the tissue along the gumline gently with a soft toothbrush. Never share your toothbrush with anyone. It contains bacteria that can be passed from one person to another no matter how well you clean the brush.
If the condition does not get better, call your dental office and schedule an appointment for an exam and cleaning.
The best prevention of gingivitis is good dental hygiene. This includes thorough home care and regular exams and professional cleanings.
If you are pregnant or have diabetes, you should check the health of your gums regularly. Changes in hormones during pregnancy can make it easier for gum tissue to get inflamed. Diabetes makes it harder for the body, including gum tissue, to heal. It may also cause you to have less saliva, which you need to reduce acids and wash away debris.
