Gingivitis
What causes gum inflammation? Everything you need to know about gingivitis: causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Symptoms and Causes
Gingivitis is a mild yet very common periodontal disease that causes inflammation, irritation, and redness of the gums around the base of the teeth, mainly due to plaque buildup. In its early stages, it is not painful and can be treated, but if left unaddressed, it may become chronic and lead to severe oral diseases.
Based on its effects, gingivitis can be classified into different types:
- Acute gingivitis: Sudden-onset inflammation with a relatively short duration. This is the most common form.
- Hemorrhagic gingivitis: Characterized by abnormal, excessive, and persistent bleeding due to chronic inflammation.
- Desquamative gingivitis: The superficial layer of the gums separates from the underlying tissue, exposing nerve endings. The gums appear bright red with grayish opaque plaques. It causes pain and extreme tooth sensitivity.
- Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG): Ulcers form in the papillary tissue and along the gum line, with necrosis occurring between the teeth. This condition is highly painful.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Swollen and irritated gums.
- Bright red or purplish gums (healthy gums are usually pink).
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing.
- Halitosis (bad breath).
- Receding gums.
- Sensitivity in the affected area.
Causes
The main cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of dental plaque (a film that forms when sugars and starches from food combine with oral bacteria) on the teeth as a result of poor oral hygiene. Although plaque adheres to the teeth, tongue, and gums, it can be easily removed through daily brushing. When oral hygiene is inadequate, plaque multiplies and hardens into a deposit known as tartar or dental calculus, which becomes trapped at the base of the tooth, allowing bacteria to accumulate and causing irritation and inflammation of the gums.
In some cases, gingivitis may develop or worsen due to other factors, such as:
- Vitamin deficiencies.
- Certain medications, such as phenytoin and calcium channel blockers.
- Hormonal changes.
- Contaminated or poorly placed dental restorations or orthodontics.
- Misaligned teeth.
- Underlying conditions such as diabetes, infections, and immune system disorders.
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for developing gingivitis include:
- Poor oral hygiene habits.
- Smoking: Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums, weakens the oral immune system, and slows the healing of damaged tissues.
- Dry mouth: Insufficient saliva production facilitates plaque buildup.
- Poor nutrition.
- Pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal contraceptives: Hormonal changes increase gum sensitivity.
- Genetics: A predisposition to gingivitis and other inflammatory conditions may be hereditary.
Complications
Gingivitis can easily go unnoticed if there is no pain or bleeding. However, if left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, a severe and painful infection that damages the soft tissues around the teeth and spreads to the supporting bones, potentially causing bone destruction. Bone loss is irreversible and may result in loose or lost teeth.
Prevention
To prevent gingivitis, it is essential to maintain proper oral hygiene:
- Brushing after every meal and before bedtime for at least two minutes.
- Using dental floss at least once a day.
- Regular dental check-ups (one or two per year) to assess overall oral health, monitor dental implants or orthodontics, and undergo professional cleanings.
- A healthy, balanced diet: Avoid foods high in sugar or acidity.
- Avoid smoking.
Which Specialist Treats Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is diagnosed and treated in Dentistry, where patients may be referred to periodontal specialists depending on the severity of their condition.
Diagnosis
Gingivitis can be diagnosed through various tests:
- Physical examination of the mouth to assess the teeth, gums, and tongue and confirm common symptoms.
- Periodontal probing to measure the depth of the pockets between the gums and teeth, which helps rule out periodontitis. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is between 1 and 3 millimeters.
- Dental X-rays to check if the infection has spread to bone structures and assess bone loss.
Treatment
Treatment for gingivitis is focused on removing plaque and tartar, reducing inflammation, and preventing the development of more serious conditions:
- Professional dental cleaning: through procedures known as dental scaling and root planing, both tartar and bacteria are removed from periodontal pockets, along with bacterial by-products associated with inflammation. These procedures also smooth the root surfaces to help prevent future plaque accumulation. Cleaning may be performed using manual instruments, laser technology, or ultrasonic devices.
- Dental restoration: indicated in cases associated with misaligned teeth or poorly fitted prostheses and orthodontic appliances, which hinder effective brushing and contribute to plaque accumulation.
