Gum Disease

Did you know that in the world, according to WHO statistics, the rate of gingivitis is as high as 70–90%, depending on the country, and occurs in all ages? If gingivitis continues for a long time, you will encounter a number of dental diseases that will cause a loss of aesthetics for your smile. So what is gingivitis, its causes, and treatment? Let's answer with The East Rose Dental Clinic right below.

What is gingivitis and what are its symptoms?

Inflammation results from harmful agents attacking the gums, which is a common condition known as gingivitis. This is a serious dental problem and can cause many oral health problems, including gingivitis and deep gum disease.

Common symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Swelling and redness: Gums may become swollen and red due to an inflammatory reaction.
• Bleeding gums: One of the most characteristic signs of gingivitis are gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing.
• Plaque and bacteria: Plaque is a layer of bacteria and lipids that can accumulate on the surface of teeth and gums, contributing to the development of infection.
• Change in colour of gums: gums can change colour from natural pink to red or purple due to infection.

Causes of gingivitis

• Gingivitis is the result of bacterial growth in the mouth, along with other factors such as genetics and lifestyle. Some reasons can be mentioned as follows:
• Plaque and bacteria: Bacteria exist naturally in our mouths and combine with foods and saliva to form plaque. If plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing properly, it can stimulate bacteria that cause gingivitis.
• Unhealthy eating can also contribute to the development of gingivitis and other oral health problems. Typical examples are eating too much sugar, eating acidic foods, and eating spicy foods.
• Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for developing gingivitis. Chemicals in cigarettes can irritate and damage gums.
• Other medical conditions: Certain other medical conditions, such as diabetes, immunological diseases, and haematological diseases, can also increase the risk of developing gingivitis.

Solution for treating gingivitis

When there are symptoms of gingivitis, patients should be more careful with their oral hygiene and receive treatment if necessary.

• First of all, you need to clean your teeth thoroughly, such as by brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly rinsing your mouth with saline. In particular, adjusting to a healthy lifestyle and eating habits can help reduce the risk of gingivitis recurring. This includes limiting your consumption of sugar, acidic foods, and foods that are likely to cause bacteria and plaque.
• If necessary, you need to go to a reputable dentist to check the level of gingivitis. The dentist will remove plaque and tartar (if any) through a professional cleaning process. This is often done through a procedure called deep cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning.

Hope the above information is useful for healthy smile care. If you feel your gingivitis is progressing, see your dentist immediately for timely treatment to avoid complications!