Gingivitis
Gum disease is known as gingivitis in the dental world. This is because gingivae means gums and "itis" means inflammation. So in the same way that Arthritis is inflammation of your joints, gingivitis is inflammation of your gums.
Signs of Gum Disease
The gums become inflamed (red and swollen) when they are irritated. This will usually be due to the bacteria in plaque on your teeth or from trauma or other items becoming lodged in your gums.
The gums have an immune response to the bacteria or foreign items and therefore become red and swollen. They will become increasingly fragile, bleed easily and look and feel sore
There is a specific type of gum disease called Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis that is caused by a specific bacteria and will cause very sore gums along with a disgusting taste and smell. This is an extreme case of gingivitis and can be very damaging to your gums unless you see a dentist quickly.
Causes of Gum Disease
You are at increased risk of gum disease if:
1. You don't clean between your teeth or use floss/interdental brushes
2. You have poor oral hygiene and plaque control
3. You have low vitamin C (Scurvy)
4. You have diabetes
5. It runs in your family
1. You don't clean between your teeth or use floss/interdental brushes
2. You have poor oral hygiene and plaque control
3. You have low vitamin C (Scurvy)
4. You have diabetes
5. It runs in your family
Gum disease treatment
- Gingivitis is a reversible disease. This means that if it is treated by yourselves or by the dentist then your gums can return to normal again without any long term damage.
- If you find your gums bleed easily or on brushing then you have gum disease, your dentist will be able to tell you this also. If this is the case you need to ensure you are brushing all of the visible plaque off your teeth by ensuring you brush every surface of every tooth each time you brush them.
- Using floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth will help prevent gingivitis between your teeth; in the places the bristles of your toothbrush cannot reach.
1. At home - meticulous toothbrushing and interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes
2. At home - use of Corsdyl mouthwash when gums are bleeding but only for a period of 2 weeks at a time to avoid staining.
3. At home - use of an electric toothbrush over a manual if you are still finding your gums bleeding with a manual toothbrush
4. At the Dentist - cleaning with your dentist or hygienist and oral hygiene advice.
5. At the Dentist - Oral hygiene and tooth brushing advice from your dentist or hygienist to teach you the best way to clean your teeth in order to minimise your risk of gingivitis
Receding gums and more
If you do not treat the gingivitis then the disease process progresses in most cases until you have what is called Periodontitis.
This is inflammation of not only the gum but of the structures supporting the tooth (the periodontium). This includes the bone and ligaments supporting the tooth. If these are inflamed then they start to deteriorate. This is irreversible meaning it is permanent.
We will discuss periodontitis in its own article but in short, if left untreated, the supporting structures of the teeth are eaten away causing receding gums. Teeth will become more and more loose until they fall out or need taking out.
This is inflammation of not only the gum but of the structures supporting the tooth (the periodontium). This includes the bone and ligaments supporting the tooth. If these are inflamed then they start to deteriorate. This is irreversible meaning it is permanent.
We will discuss periodontitis in its own article but in short, if left untreated, the supporting structures of the teeth are eaten away causing receding gums. Teeth will become more and more loose until they fall out or need taking out.
Gum Disease Summary
1. Gum disease is inflammation of your gums and is also called Gingivitis
2. If your gums bleed easily you have gingivitis
3. Gingivitis is Reversible and so if treated will reverse completely back to healthy gums
4. Excellent tooth brushing and inter-dental cleaning is the best way to prevent gum disease
5. If left it will usually progress to Periodontitis which is not reversible and causes receding gums and worse to the point of losing your teeth.
2. If your gums bleed easily you have gingivitis
3. Gingivitis is Reversible and so if treated will reverse completely back to healthy gums
4. Excellent tooth brushing and inter-dental cleaning is the best way to prevent gum disease
5. If left it will usually progress to Periodontitis which is not reversible and causes receding gums and worse to the point of losing your teeth.
We hope you have found this article informative and remember if you have any further questions you can always contact our dentists by clicking below: