Gum disease, or gingivitis, is the inflammation of your gums due to infection from bacteria. Usually, it is associated with poor oral hygiene, causing plaque build-up. Bacteria from plaque causes gingivitis with common symptoms such as red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
Fortunately, gum disease is a reversible condition. The primary treatment is to remove the irritants to restore the health of your gums. However, if left untreated, gum disease may progress to an irreversible condition called periodontal disease. This causes infection in the bones surrounding the teeth, which, in worst-case scenarios, may lead to tooth loss.
Carry on reading to learn about gum disease and what our team can do to prevent it from worsening.
What causes gum disease?
The leading cause of gum disease is bacteria from plaque and dental calculus. These accumulate along the gum line due to poor oral hygiene. The more the plaque, the worse the condition of the gums. But aside from plaque, other causes of gingivitis are:
- Hormonal changes – hormone changes that occur during pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation may irritate the gums easily.
- Medications – certain medications have side effects that cause gingival overgrowth. This includes three classes of drugs: anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and calcium channel blockers. If you take medicines like phenytoin or dilantin, your gums typically swell as a common reaction.
- Systemic illnesses – aside from medications, some diseases may cause gingival swelling. This is likely due to interference with the immune system, resulting in highly sensitive gums. And even when irritants are removed, the gums may take a while to recover because of suppressed immune reactions. Such illnesses include cancers, HIV, and diabetes.
- Smoking – smokers are generally more prone to gum disease compared to nonsmokers. This is because smokers are highly likely to produce bacterial plaque that causes gingivitis. Also, smoking interferes with the blood supply to the gums, making infection a serious concern.
- Genetics – some people are genetically more of a plaque former than others. This increases their chances of developing gum disease if left to progress.
What are the signs and symptoms of gum disease?
Gingivitis may progress with no symptoms and remain painless. However, several telltale signs point to gum disease, which must be managed early to prevent periodontitis.
Depending on the severity of the problem, some signs and symptoms you should look out for include:
- Easily bleeding gums – especially whenever you brush your teeth
- Red and swollen gums – as opposed to firm and pink gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Receding gums
- Formation of deep gum pockets that accumulate more plaque
- Loose teeth
- Teeth misalignment
- Bite changes
What are the treatments for gum disease?
The treatment for gingivitis depends on the severity of the condition and the signs and symptoms present. Ultimately, these gum disease treatments aim to remove the cause of the disease, restore the appearance of the gums, and rehabilitate oral health.
Some treatment recommendations include:
Professional teeth cleaning
The most basic treatment for gum disease is teeth cleaning using a high-frequency ultrasonic scaler. This will effectively remove tartar, plaque, and calcular deposits, which are the main culprits of gum disease. To maintain oral health, teeth cleaning should be done twice a year, every six months. However, for patients who are more prone to plaque build-up, your dentist may advise a quarterly visit for better disease management and prevention.
Root scaling and planing
Root scaling and planing must be done for plaque and deposits found deeper in the gum pockets. This removes debris stuck on the tooth root to restore the health of the gums, bone, and tooth. Successful root scaling and planing allow for reattachment of the gums to the tooth to improve its appearance and health.
Gingivectomy
If the concern is gum inflammation, gingivectomy may be recommended to recontour the gums to their ideal appearance. Some techniques for gingivectomy include using a diode laser, scalpel, or cautery. These treatments have pros and cons, which your dentist will discuss before the treatment.
Gum grafts
Unfortunately, if gum disease has resulted in gum recession, healing will only allow for reattachment of the gums and will not grow them back. In such cases, restoring the appearance of the gums to improve the smile will require gum grafting. For this treatment, a patch of gum tissue will be harvested from the palate and attached to the receded area. Once healed, this will significantly improve the contour of the gums for a brighter and better smile.
How to prevent gum disease?
Gingivitis is a highly preventable disease. The best way to do this is to maintain good oral health and establish proper plaque control through good oral hygiene. Proper at-home hygiene care should include regular toothbrushing using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Then, flossing should be done to remove plaque and other food debris between the teeth.
For good measure, mouthwash with chlorhexidine can be used after brushing. This helps kill bacteria in the gum pockets that your toothbrush cannot reach. Ideally, undiluted chlorhexidine mouthwash should be swished in the mouth for 30 seconds. Then, avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to achieve maximum effect.
Aside from good oral hygiene, health and lifestyle changes should also be made to prevent and reverse gum disease. Such as, smokers should quit smoking to avoid its consequences to the mouth and general health.
Healthy Gums with Sierra Dental
Sierra Dental advocates preventive dentistry as the pillar of good oral health. With good preventive techniques, we can avoid problems such as tooth decay and gingivitis. Book an appointment and discover our wide range of treatments to maintain healthy teeth and smile!