GINGIVITIS

Overview

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. It is the first stage of gum disease. Most individuals do not know they have gingivitis until the disease is advanced.

Causes
Plaque is the cause of gingivitis.

• Plaque is a thin film of bacteria which adheres to tooth surfaces above and below the gum line
• Plaque that is not removed, becomes hardened to form tartar, a hard deposit which cannot be removed by brushing
• Accumulated plaque produce toxins which irritate the gums making it red, and swollen

Symptoms
Gingivitis is usually painless but you may experience the following:

• bleeding on brushing/flossing
• red and swollen gums which may be tender
• bad breath

Risk factors
You may be more prone to gum disease if you

• are a poorly controlled diabetic
• smoke or use tobacco
• are going through puberty, pregnancy or menopause
• have a weakened immune system eg HIV
• are taking certain medications or on chemotherapy
• have poor nutrition
• wear your denture to sleep

Complications
Gingivitis, if untreated, progresses to Periodontitis, an infection of the deeper structures of the gum and surrounding bone.

Prevention
Plaque forms within 24hours after it has been removed from your teeth. Prevention of gum disease lies in the effective daily removal of plaque. Regular visits to your dentist allows early detection of disease.

Tips on Toothbrushing

• brush twice daily for at least 3 mins
• floss daily
• change your toothbrush every 3 months or as soon as it is worn down
• use plaque disclosing solutions or plaque disclosing toothpaste to monitor effectiveness of toothbrushing
• use an electric toothbrush if you lack the dexterity for a manual toothbrush
• use a floss aid ( floss which is pre-strung on plastic holders,) if you find difficulty in flossing.
• your dentist may recommend other tooth brushing aids to fit hard to reach areas of your teeth.  

Treatment
Gingivitis is reversible. Your gums will return to health with appropriate dental treatment and home care. Your dentist will:

• do a scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar
• identify and correct plaque retention factors such as poor fillings, ill fitting dentures
• teach you how to brush your teeth for effective removal of plaque