Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease that causes an irritation to the gums. This disease affects those tissues that surround the teeth and include the gums, soft tissues, and bone.
The bacterial plaque that accumulates in the small gaps between the gums and the teeth and by the calculus causes this disease because of poor oral hygiene. When your body launches an immune response against these invaders, the gums become inflamed.
People with gingivitis usually experience little or no discomfort. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms, such as gums that are red, swollen or sometimes with pus, bleed easily, mouth sores, and itchy with varying degrees of severity. Patients also have foul smell breath.
Oral hygiene is recommended for patients like brushing the teeth and flossing, and optional use of mouth wash. Rigorous plaque control programs along with periodontal scaling and curettage also have proved to be helpful in preventing gingivitis.
Non surgical treatment including scaling and root planning will carefully clean the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. Severe gingivitis may require antibiotics and consultation with a physician.
Antibiotics are medications used to help the body’s immune system fight bacterial infection and have been shown to reduce plaque. By reducing plaque, bacteria can be kept to a level manageable by the human immune system.
Taking antibiotics is not without risks and should only be done after consultation with a dentist or doctor. Lifestyle modification will help patients with gingivitis such as a healthy diet in low saturated fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is beneficial in curing this disease.
Gum disease goes through several stages. As the disease progresses in severity, the periodontal treatment options become more complex, costly, and time-intensive. It is important that at the first signs of gum disease symptoms you seek an experienced and professional periodontist.
