Interesting Dental Articles
What is Gingivitis And How to Avoid It
Posted on November 29, 2016 at 7:00 AM |
WHAT IS GINGIVITIS ?
Simply put it is inflammation of the gum tissue. The most common form is known as plaque-induced gingivitis which is caused when plague attaches itself to the surface of your teeth.
It is the most common form of periodintal disease and allways precedes more serious conditions such as chronic periodontitis.
This non destructive disease is reversible with good oral hygiene but faliure to have treatment can see it quickly progress to periodontitis, where the inflammation results in tissue and bone destruction around the teeth, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
Swollen gums
Bright red or purple gums
Gums that are tender or painful to the touch
Bleeding gums or bleeding after brushing and/or flossing
Bad breath (halitosis)
Other symptoms may include
Your gums may appear shiny and stretched.
What factors can cause gingivitis ?
The formation of plaque on the surface to the teeth is the main cause of the disease but there are many factors that can lead to the outbreak of gingivitus in our mouths
age
osteoporosis
low dental care utilization (fear, financial stresses, etc.)
poor oral hygiene
overly aggressive oral hygiene such as brushing with stiff bristles
mouth-breathing during sleep
medications that dry the mouth
smoking
genetic factors
pre-existing conditions
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you notice any of the symptoms above you should book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to prevent the condition from getting any worse.
During the visit to the clinic your dentist carry out clinical tests and will be able to analyse and work out the level of diesease and advise you of the required tratment
Prevention
The best way to deal with this dicease is to prevent it happening in the first place
Gingivitis can be prevented through regular oral hygiene that includes daily brushing ,flossing and the use of .[8] Hydrogen peroxide, saline, alcohol or chlorhexidine mouth washes
For Advice on improving your dental hygyne and avoiding problems such as this contact your dentist today for a check up
Categories: Dental Health, Dental Care, Dental Tips