Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the inflammation of gums (gingiva), an early form of gum disease which, if left untreated will turn into a worse form, known as periodontitis.

Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) can cause gum sensitivity, bleeding, swelling, and gingival hyperplasia. The gums become sensitive and more prone to bleeding while brushing and flossing.

Gingivitis is the outcome of poor oral hygiene which includes inadequate brushing and flossing technique leading to plaque formation (A sticky white biofilm that forms around the edges of your gums).

At this point, gingivitis is at the lowest stage of disease form, which if taken for granted, it will progress into a worse form of gum condition.

The condition can still be reversed at this level, if gingivitis treatment is done promptly and proper care of the gum tissues is taken, your gums will come back to their original healthy state.

Introduction to Gingivitis

"Is your smile feeling a little off?

Are your gums feeling puffy, tender, or even bleeding?

It's time to shine a light on this silent saboteur and take action before it becomes a bigger problem."

The health of your teeth is directly proportional to the health of your gum tissues. The gums are the foundation that anchors your teeth in place. If gums get damaged the health and life of your teeth also get affected.

Definition and Causes

Gingivitis is the combination of two words; “Gingi” derived from the word gingiva meaning gums and “itis” meaning “inflammation of”.

Hence gingivitis is the inflammation of gums; leading to the symptoms of swollen, tender and bleeding gums.

Symptoms and Early Signs

• Puffy or swollen gums.
• Gums (gingiva) that bleed easily.
• Gums that are painful (tender) when touched.
• Bad breath (halitosis).
• Gums sensitivity or sore gums (due to consumption of food that is hot, acidic, or sweet).

Importance of Early Detection

The good news is that Gingivitis is a reversible condition. It can be treated, and your gums can bounce back to their original place.

Effects of Untreated Gingivitis

In gingivitis; only the gums are swollen while other tissues underneath the gums are still intact.

Let's talk about untreated gingivitis. If measures are not taken to treat this disease, it can turn into a much more sever disease called periodontitis.

The unhealthy gums directly impact the health of your bone and if it gets compromised, eventually it will lead to the loss of your teeth.

Gum Disease Progression:

If it is left untreated, it will progress into periodontitis, which later will end in losing your teeth.

Daily Oral Hygiene Routine:

• 1-ADEQUATE BRUSHING TECHNIQUE:

  "Your toothbrush is your secret armor against all your dental problems. But are you using it correctly? Proper brushing technique can make all the difference in preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

  Let's brush like a pro!

  Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline,

  Use gentle, circular motions, and brush for at least two minutes twice a day.

  Sweep or roll the brush away from the gum-line.

  Clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth.

  Gently brush your tongue, it freshens up your breath

• 2- FLOSS ONCE DAILY:

  A toothbrush cannot reach areas present between your teeth. Dental floss does the job well by cleaning the spaces between the adjacent teeth. “Water flosser” is another new powerful dental tool to clean between teeth.

• 3- USE AN ANTI-BACTERIALMOUTHWASH DAILY:

  Use of anti-microbial mouthwashes as per your dentist recommendation will help you reduce the bacterial load.

• 4- ROUTINE DENTAL CHECKUPS:

  It is recommended to visit your dentist twice a year. But certain people are more prone to arising dental issue, they are recommended to get their check-ups done more often.

Importance of Regular Dental Check-ups

Regular dental check-ups ensure the prevention of disease before it is established.

Dietary Habits for Effecting Health of Gums:

• Insufficient water intake,
• High-carb diet
• Frequent snacking
• Low fiber diet.
• Smoking or use of other tobacco products.

Treatments options:

• SCALING AND ROOT PLANING:

  Professional dental cleaning is mandatory to remove any traces of plaque, tartar(calculus), the bacterial load and smoothen the root surface to discourage the tartar buildup. Cleaning can be performed using periodontal instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device.

• REPAIR DENTAL RESTORATION:

  Crooked teeth, Ill-fitting crowns and bridges or any other restoration which is sticking out will affect the cleaning establishing plaque and tartar. It is important to repair this restoration to prevent plaque and tartar formation.

Mind-Body Connection to Oral Health:

Your mouth reflects your overall well-being. Did you know that diseased gums can impact your overall health?

People with gum disease are more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and even respiratory problems. Poor oral health can also lead to mood issues, unhealthy eating habits, and pregnancy complications.

Don't let gum disease hold you back. At Dental Zorg Dubai, we're dedicated to helping you achieve optimal oral health. With our advanced treatments and personalized care, you can improve your smile and your overall well-being.

Integrating Traditional and Natural Remedies

TRADITIONAL TREATMENT:

Traditional or home remedies have proven to have a positive effect in reducing the amount of bacterial load hence improving gum health, but you should always opt for professional help to get rid of gingivitis promptly. Few remedies are discussed below;

Turmeric mouthwash can be used in traditional plaque control methods. Here, dissolve 10 mg curcumin in 100 ml (about 3.38 oz) purified water. Peppermint oil is used as a flavoring agent

Aloe vera is also termed “the plant of immortality” cures bleeding and inflammation. [1]

REFERENCES:

• [1]. An article “Medicinal Plants Used as an Alternative to Treat Gingivitis” taken from research gate
• [2]. Caranza book of periodontology