Gingivitis is a gum inflammation. It is usually caused by dental plaque which leads to infection, but other reasons, such as illnesses or certain medications, can also promote it. If this pathology is not properly treated, it can lead to periodontitis. It is an inflammation that affects the tissues that connect the jaw to the teeth, and which can lead to the loosening of the latter. In order to avoid such repercussions, it is necessary to identify and treat this gum disease correctly.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
Gingivitis first appears as painless bleeding when brushing your teeth. If it persists, it sensitizes this oral mucosa, which becomes red, swollen and painful. As a result, it becomes difficult to eat, because the patient experiences pain at the time of chewing.
In rarer cases, some forms cause bad breath, and sometimes a discharge of pus from the gap between the gum and the tooth.
How to treat gingivitis?
First, it is necessary to adopt good dental hygiene, brushing your teeth at least twice a day for 3 minutes each time. This will help remove the dental plaque that promotes the appearance of this disease. Pain may appear during brushing, which is why it is advisable to carry out a gentle cleaning, using a soft brush if necessary, and to practice a mouthwash once a day with an antimicrobial product. In addition, it is better to avoid any aggravating factor, such as tobacco or alcohol.
Finally, it is also advisable to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as symptoms appear. He will carry out an assessment to identify the source of these problems, and will carry out appropriate care, such as descaling. He can also prescribe a treatment. It is also strongly advised to follow the latter well until the end of its prescription, even if the pain and bleeding disappear before.
Sources:
- GingivitisVidal
- GingivitisThe MSD Manual
- Gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitisAmélie
- Drinking alcohol is associated with variation in the human oral microbiome in a large study of American adultsMicrobiome, n°6, 2018
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- Gingivitis and periodontitis: are you at risk? Take the test
- Dental hygiene: are you doing too much or not enough?
