Gingivitis | What is

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis is one of the many periodontal diseases that affect the teeth, gum tissue, and bone. If left untreated, Gingivitis can lead to more serious diseases that can cause tooth and bone loss.

What causes Gingivitis?
1. Build-up of plaque between the teeth and under the gums.
Plaque, the sticky film that coats your teeth, contains a lot of bacteria. This bacteria builds-up on the teeth and under the gum tissue causing a mild infection. This mild infection is what causes your gums to become swollen and bleed.

2. Diseases that affect the immune system.
People with diabetes, Addison disease, HIV, or other immune system diseases often lack the ability to fight the bacteria that is invading the gum tissue. People with leukemia also have changes in their blood vessels of their gums, which can leave them susceptible to developing Gingivitis.

3. Medications.
Many seizure, high blood pressure, and organ transplant medicines can supress the immune system and change the structure of the gums, leaving the person vulnerable to bacteria infection.

4. Hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy, as well as steroid therapy, can leave the gums vulnerable to bacteria infection.

Symptoms of Gingivitis:
1. Swelling, bleeding of the gums, redness, and sometimes pain are all signs of Gingivitis.

2. Your breath can begin to smell really bad.

3. The gum tissue begins to recede and become a beefy red, inflamed color.

Gingivitis treatment:
1. Develop and maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Gingivitis is a disease that is preventable. By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, you can help keep control of the amount of plaque that will form on your teeth and under the gum tissue.

2. Regular dental visits to have your teeth cleaned by your dentist or hygienist.

3. Do not forget to floss! Flossing is very effective at removing plaque from between the teeth, under the gums, and areas that are hard to reach with your toothbrush.

4. Severe Gingivitis may need to be treated with antibiotics to help fight the bacterial infection and to reduce plaque. Antibiotic treatment is sometimes necessary to help fight the infection to where it reaches a level that your immune system can then take over.


If you think that you may have Gingivitis, schedule an appointment with your dentist or hygienist to have your teeth cleaned. The dentist or hygienist will then be able to determine the severity of the Gingivitis and help get you back on the right track to healthy teeth and gums.