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People with gingivitis have inflamed gum tissue around their teeth,
caused by bacteria found in dental plaque. Normal, healthy gums
should be firmly attached to the teeth and underlying bone. They
are pale pink in light-skinned people and brown, gray or mottled
in people with darker complexions. If you have gingivitis, your
gums are inflamed, red and swollen. They will bleed easily and may
be tender. Mild gingivitis causes little pain and may be overlooked.
If left unchecked, however, it can become severe. In some people,
gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, which can lead to tooth
loss.
Gingivitis is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that collects on your teeth, especially in crevices and spaces or around rough or broken fillings. The bacteria produce substances that can harm the gums. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into a deposit called calculus, commonly called tartar. Calculus irritates the gums and provides more surfaces for bacterial growth.
Gum disease in general and gingivitis in particular are common. Almost three in four adults over the age of 35 have some form of gum disease. People with poorly controlled diabetes and pregnant women are especially at risk. People taking oral contraceptives or systemic steroids are at increased risk of gingivitis. Certain prescription drugs — including anti-seizure medications, cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune) and calcium channel blockers — can cause gum overgrowth and inflammation.
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1)
Mouth sores
2) Swollen gums
3) Bright red or red-purple appearance to gums
4) Shiny appearance to gums
5) Bleeding gums (blood on toothbrush even with gentle brushing
of the teeth)
6) Gums that are tender when touched, but otherwise painless |
Your
dentist will examine and probe your gums and ask you if they bleed
when you brush or floss your teeth. He or she will look for calculus
deposits on your teeth and under the gum line.
Make sure your dentist knows the medications you are taking, in case some of them may be contributing to your gingivitis. |
| Gingivitis
can disappear within several days once a program of good oral hygiene
is started. If oral hygiene remains poor, gingivitis likely will
remain and could worsen to become periodontitis, which can lead
to significant loss of tissue and bone around teeth.
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| Brush
your teeth regularly, preferably in the morning and before bed,
and floss your teeth at least once a day. Make sure that you use
a soft toothbrush and that the bristles reach the gum line when
you brush. Have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months
to one year to prevent plaque from becoming calculus and to remove
any calculus that may have already formed. |
| Gingivitis
can be reversed if you remove bacteria from your teeth every day.
At your dental office, you will receive a thorough cleaning, which
will include scaling (removal of plaque at and just below the gum
line). Your dentist or dental hygienist can instruct you on the
most effective methods of brushing and flossing. Controlling medical
conditions, such as diabetes, can make gingivitis easier to treat.
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When To Call a Professional
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| If
your gums become tender or bleed easily when you brush your teeth,
contact your dentist. |
| The
outlook is excellent, once you start a program of good dental hygiene.
Symptoms can disappear in as little as one week. |
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