Excellent body health is more than just feasting on vegetables and fruits and exercising daily. Oral and dental health care should be part of the healthcare regime to prevent issues like bad breath, cavities, and more severe oral health issues like gingivitis.

Gingivitis is a prevalent oral health issue affecting about 47.2 percent of adults countrywide. Aside from affecting your smile's appearance, gingivitis can also lead to severe problems like tooth loss or bone loss. However, with excellent oral care habits and timely intervention by a dentist, you could prevent or lessen your chances of developing this oral health condition.

Since gingivitis is a common oral health issue across the country, it makes sense to educate yourself about it. This article will answer all your queries about gingivitis, including what it is, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and many more.

Gingivitis at a Glance and Its Possible Causes

The earliest and mildest type of gum disease is known as gingivitis and is caused by plaque accumulation on the surface of your teeth, causing inflammation of your gums. Plaque is the brownish, sticky film that coats the surface of your teeth enamel and below your gum line, mostly due to poor oral health habits.

If gingivitis is not treated or monitored, it can deteriorate and result in more serious oral and dental health problems, like periodontitis, which pulls your gums away from your teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), gingivitis and periodontitis are the primary causes of tooth loss among many adults nationwide.

Factors That Could Put You at Risk of Developing Gingivitis

While the main cause of gingivitis is plaque buildup below and above your gum line, other factors could increase your chances of developing this condition, including:

     1. Tobacco Use or Smoking

Tobacco use lowers the chances of successful treatment after detecting early signs of gingivitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the more cigarettes or tobacco you use, the greater your risk of developing gingivitis.

     2. Poor Oral Hygiene

While brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily is not a challenging task, many people do not do it, increasing their odds of developing gingivitis and other dental issues like cavities.

     3. Stress

Constant stress is another factor that can put you at risk of gingivitis because it weakens your immune system, affecting your body's ability to fight bacterial infections.

     4. Poor Nutrition

Without proper nutrition, your body will be deficient in vital minerals and nutrients necessary to keep oral health issues like gingivitis at bay.

     5. Hormonal Changes

Women are more likely to develop gingivitis during monthly menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy due to hormonal changes that increase the inflammation and sensitivity of their gums.

     6. Certain Medications

Certain medications, like antihistamines and seizure medications, can negatively affect oral health because they cause dry mouth, a condition characterized by insufficient saliva. If you are on any medication, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, you should inform your dentist during your routine dental check-ups to know how to stay on top of your dental health before you finish the dose.

     7. Genetic Predisposition

Being at risk of gingivitis could be due to your genetic predisposition, which runs in your family. Even if you have a healthy dental and oral care regime, sometimes your genetics could put you at risk of developing gingivitis and periodontitis.

     8. Underlying Illness

Diseases that weaken your immune system, like HIV, cancer, and diabetes, could increase your chances of developing gingivitis because they make it challenging for your body to fight infections.

     9. Aggressive Teeth Brushing

Unlike what many think, aggressive teeth brushing does not make them shine brighter. On the contrary, it makes your enamel (outer surface of your teeth) and gums wear off, stripping away your defenses and preventing oral and dental health issues like cavities and gingivitis.

     10. Loose Dental Appliances

Loose or improperly fitted dental appliances like braces and bridges could put you at risk of gingivitis because they trap food particles, creating an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to thrive.

Gingivitis Symptoms to Look Out For Early Treatment

Gingivitis will not reveal any symptoms during its onset, meaning it could be challenging to know whether you have it. However, as this condition worsens over time, you will likely experience the following symptoms:

  • Bad breath
  • Gum swelling and reddening
  • Gum sensitivity when sipping cold or warm drinks
  • Pain or tenderness when chewing food
  • Gums that bleed when you floss or brush your teeth
  • Receding gums (gums pulling away from the teeth)
  • Pus oozing between your gums and teeth
  • Change in your teeth alignment (malocclusion)
  • Loose teeth
  • Gum discoloration

If you detect any of the above gingivitis symptoms, you should speak to a dentist immediately for appropriate treatment. The sooner you consult with a dentist, the higher your chances of treating or reversing gingivitis for the healthy gums you deserve.

What to Expect During Gingivitis Diagnosis

Once you visit your dentist after detecting any of the above gingivitis symptoms, he/she will require you to provide him/her with your medical records to determine whether you have a health issue that could cause the condition. After checking your health records, your dentist will use a special instrument known as a periodontal probe to measure the pockets around your teeth.

Pockets are spaces formed between your teeth and gums after gum recession. If the pockets are deeper than 4 millimeters, there is a high chance you have gum disease. For appropriate and precise treatment, your dentist could also require an X-ray to determine the extent of the condition and whether it has caused bone loss.

If your dentist confirms that you have gingivitis, he/she will likely refer you to a reliable periodontist (gum health specialist) for appropriate treatment.

Management and Treatment Options for Gingivitis

Fortunately, gingivitis is a manageable and curable oral health issue. Some of the ways you can manage gingivitis include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Maintaining a healthy diet
  • Avoiding tobacco use
  • Practicing excellent oral health habits

On the other hand, gingivitis treatment seeks to control the progression of the infection by removing plaque and tartar buildup on the surface of your teeth and below your gum line. Other treatment remedies for this condition include:

     a. Root Planning and Scaling

Your dentist or periodontist could perform root planning and scaling to completely clean teeth and wipe off plaque buildup. Scaling is a procedure that helps eliminate harmful bacteria and plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth and below the gum line. Conversely, root planing smooths the rough surfaces of the affected tooth roots, making it challenging for bacteria and plaque to stick to them.

     b. Medications

Your periodontist could recommend several medications to help treat your gingivitis. Examples of these medications include:

  • Antiseptic mouthwash, which contains chlorhexidine for disinfecting the mouth
  • Antibiotic microspheres, which contain minocycline for disinfecting your gum pockets after root planing and scaling
  • Doxycycline helps prevent enzymes from causing damage to your teeth
  • Oral antibiotics to help treat persistent gum areas affected by gingivitis

     c. Surgery

Your dentist could suggest surgery to treat gingivitis if it is severe enough to cause bone or gum loss. Below are different types of surgery your dentist could perform to treat gingivitis:

Flap Surgery

Your dentist or periodontist will perform flap surgery to remove plaque buildup, which causes your gums to recede and lift them into the proper position in your mouth. After lifting your gums, the periodontist will stitch them to fit snugly around your teeth.

Tissue and Bone Grafts

When your jaw and teeth are too damaged to heal, your periodontist could recommend tissue and bone grafts to help restore their health. Your periodontist will take compatible tissues from the roof of your mouth and use them to cover the exposed or damaged tooth root(s) during gum grafting.

On the other hand, to increase the density of your jawbone and help it regenerate, your dentist will remove compatible bone from any part of your body or a donor and graft it on the affected area.

Dental Crown Lengthening

Some patients suffering from gingivitis have excess gum tissue. If this is your situation, your periodontist can help reshape your bone and gum tissue to expose the affected teeth. Dental crown lengthening could also be necessary before performing certain restorative and cosmetic procedures on the teeth.

     d. Dental Appliances Repair

If loose or improperly fitted dental appliances are the culprits for your gingivitis, your dentist can help fix or replace them to prevent the progression of the infection. Generally speaking, smoother and properly fitted dental appliances are easier to clean, keeping gingivitis-causing plaque and bacteria at bay.

     e. Improved Oral and Dental Hygiene

An excellent dental and oral care routine can help prevent gingivitis and other oral health issues. After deep teeth cleaning, you should maintain an excellent oral and dental care routine that helps prevent plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth. Your dentist will instruct you on properly using at-home dental cleaning techniques to stay on top of your dental health.

     f. Straightening or Aligning Misaligned Teeth

As mentioned above, a misaligned bite, also known as malocclusion, can cause gingivitis, making it challenging to clean your teeth effectively. If you have malocclusion, your dentist could recommend various teeth straightening options, including wearing braces or aligners.

     g. Treatment of the Underlying Condition

If you have an underlying condition like diabetes that makes you susceptible to or more likely to suffer from gingivitis, your dentist will recommend treatment for the condition. Treating the underlying condition can help prevent and reverse gingivitis before it becomes periodontitis.

To treat and prevent gingivitis, your dentist could also recommend the following additional treatments:

  • Replacing your toothbrush after every three (3) months
  • Reducing sugary foods
  • Managing stress

Generally speaking, the specific treatment option your dentist or periodontist will recommend will depend on the severity of your unique condition and other underlying health issues. Your dentist could also recommend follow-up appointments for severe gingivitis cases to monitor the healing process after treatment.

Possible Complications Commonly Associated With Gingivitis

When left untreated, gingivitis can spread to the surrounding bone tissues and gums, leading to periodontitis, a more severe condition that can cause the loss of the affected tooth. Sometimes, ongoing gum disease could be due to an underlying condition that affects the entire body, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or stroke.

When left unchecked, the bacteria that causes gingivitis can penetrate your bloodstream through the affected gum tissue, affecting your body organs like the heart.

Also known as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, trench mouth is a serious form of gingivitis that can cause bleeding gums and ulcers. To avoid these possible complications caused by gingivitis, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist once you notice any symptoms, like swollen and red gums.

Crucial Facts You Need to Know About Gingivitis

While you could be aware of gingivitis and its potential impacts on oral and general health, there is more to this condition. Explained below are crucial facts you probably do not know about gingivitis:

Gingivitis is a Transmittable Disease

Many people think that poor oral health is the only cause of gingivitis, but that is untrue. A person with gingivitis can transmit or infect you with the condition where you kiss or share a drink or toothbrush with him/her.

Dairy Products Can Keep Gingivitis at Bay

As mentioned above, eating healthy foods can help improve your immune system, keeping gingivitis and other health issues at bay. Healthy foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products contain lactic acid, which helps lower your chances of developing gingivitis.

Gingivitis is a Gateway for Other Oral and General Health Conditions

When left untreated, gingivitis will worsen, leading to periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease. Gum inflammation caused by gingivitis can also make you susceptible and more likely to develop other severe health conditions like stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Gingivitis is Preventable

Since it is a condition that develops over time due to plaque build-up on the surface of your teeth and below your gum line, you can prevent or reverse the condition, especially when detected early. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily is one of the ways you can stop and reverse gingivitis for the healthy smile you deserve.

Another way to prevent gingivitis is by scheduling frequent dental appointments with your dentist for thorough teeth cleaning to remove persistent plaque and tartar you cannot remove with a toothbrush.

Any Person Can Develop Gingivitis

Although women are more likely to develop gingivitis due to hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation, any person can develop gingivitis due to other factors mentioned above, including:

  • Certain medications
  • Smoking
  • Genetics

Frequently Asked Questions About Gingivitis

Since gingivitis is a common oral health condition, it is natural for people to ask questions about it. Below are the most frequently asked questions about gingivitis:

     1. When Should I Talk to a Dentist About My Gingivitis Issue?

Because gingivitis worsens with time, you should speak with your dentist as soon as you notice any symptom of the disease or abnormality in your gums. If you think that the abnormality in your gums or the symptoms you are experiencing are due to gingivitis, your dentist can conduct a comprehensive examination and make recommendations for the best course of action.

     2. How Can I Tell Whether My Potential Dentist Is Trustworthy and Dependable?

While there are several dentists you can consult if you have a dental health issue, like gingivitis, not everyone is reliable. To know whether or not your prospective dentist is dependable, you should check the following:

  • His/her reputation
  • His/her licensing credentials
  • His/her communication skills
  • Cleanliness of his/her clinic
  • Courteousness of his/her clinic staff
  • His/her schedule and availability
  • His/her services cost

The above factors can lessen your options for finding a reliable dentist or periodontist to help you manage and treat gingivitis quickly.

     3. Which is the Fastest Way to Treat Gingivitis?

The fastest and most reliable way to manage and treat gingivitis is by improving your home-based dental and oral care habits and scheduling frequent dental visits for deep teeth cleaning.

     4. How Can I Lessen the Risk of Developing Gingivitis?

Aside from scheduling frequent dental visits and brushing your teeth at least three times every day, you can reduce your chances of developing gingivitis by:

  • Avoiding cigarettes and tobacco-related products
  • Flossing in between your teeth daily
  • Managing underlying health conditions like diabetes
  • Limiting alcohol and sugary foods because they create a conducive environment for bacteria to thrive

Find a Reliable Periodontist Near Me

Any health condition that can worsen over time or even lead to more severe health complications is not an issue you can overlook. If you believe you have gingivitis or are at risk of developing this condition, you should speak with a dentist to learn about the available remedies.

Our reliable and competent periodontists at Ganji Dental are here to help if you have more questions about gingivitis or need immediate treatment to manage the condition. We understand how this condition can impact the aesthetic appearance of your smile and even cause other health complications, affecting your quality of life.

We invite you to call us at 310-643-8045 to schedule an obligation-free consultation with one of our experienced periodontists, wherever you are in Hawthorne.