Health

Gingivitis: What Should a Lay Person Know about It?

Do you pay much attention to your teeth and mouth? Do you keep your mouth hygienic and clean? What do you do to ensure that your mouth is fresh and healthy? Have you ever heard about the condition of Gingivitis?

Well, this condition is an inflammation of the gums, generally caused by a bacterial infection. In case you leave it untreated, it can turn out to be a more serious infection known as periodontitis. Remember this condition and periodontitis are major causes of tooth loss in the adults.

Types of gum infections you should know

This condition or gum infection is usually caused by simply an overgrowth of dental plaque. In addition to inappropriate dental hygiene, there can be numerous contributing factors, like:

  • Certain medications like phenytoin, calcium channel blockers, and even oral or injectable birth control (such are the medications can cause gum infection or make it worse because they can simply head to an overgrowth of gum tissue and even make plaque tough for you to remove)
  • Extreme deficiencies of vitamin C .
  • Hormonal changes, encompassing during pregnancy and menopause
  • Leukemia
  • Heavy metals such as nickel that can be found in some sort of jewellery
  • Exposure to bismuth that can be found in some sort of makeup

There are some sorts of gum infections that are not related to plaque overgrowth. These can be like:

  • Certain viral or even fungal infections, such as thrush
  • An impacted tooth, or even tooth that doesn’t completely emerge (in case this type of thing happens, the flap of gum over your tooth can trap debris and even trigger gum infection)

What really triggers gum infections?

Well, your gums actually attach to your teeth at a lower point than the that of gum edges you do see. This develops a small space known as a sulcus. Food and plaque can get trapped in such a space and trigger a gum infection or even more.

Plaque is a simply thin film of bacteria. It continually forms on the surface of your teeth. As plaque grows , it hardens and turns out to be tartar. You can develop a gum infection once the plaque extends below your gum line. Remember that if you leave it unchecked,  this gum infection can cause the gums to separate from your teeth. This may trigger:

  • The loss of your tooth, in case infection progresses
  • Wound to the soft tissue and even bone supporting the teeth
  • The tooth to turn out to be loose and unstable

Symptoms of this condition

Many people are there who aren’t aware that they have gum infection or disease. It is quite possible to have gum infection without even any symptoms. However, the following can be somewhat signs of gum disease:

  • Gums that are extremely red, tender, or even swollen
  • Gums that simply bleed once you brush or even floss your teeth
  • Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
  • Your loose teeth
  • An alteration in how your teeth fit together once you bite (malocclusion)
  • Pus between your gums and teeth.
  • Extreme pain when you are chewing
  • Much sensitive teeth
  • Partial dentures that simply no longer fit
  • Foul-smelling breath that does not go away after you simply brush your teeth

Of course, if you find any of these signs in your case, you must see the experts and get the treatment for it. You can even use some or the other solutions like a good mouthwash for it. It would help you get rid of it.

Conclusion

To sum up, since you know much about the condition of gum infections now, make sure that you don’t let it happen. And if you already experience it, do use the solutions apt for it.