
Table of contents
1. What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease of the gums, which is the early stage of Periodontal disease. This is an inflammation of the gum tissue around the teeth, caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the tooth surface and below the gum line. Gingivitis is one of the most common oral diseases, with an incidence ranging from 50% to 99% in both children and adults.
2. What causes gingivitis?
The main cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the tooth surface and below the gum line. Factors that contribute to gingivitis include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy)
- Diabetes
- Use of certain medications
- Poor nutrition
- Stress
- Mouth breathing and short tongue (ankyloglossia)
3. Symptoms of gingivitis
Common symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Red and swollen gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath
- Soft and vulnerable gums
- Gingival recession
4. Subjects at risk of gingivitis
Gingivitis can affect people of all ages, but certain groups are at higher risk:
- Children and adolescents: One study found that the prevalence of gingivitis in 12-15 year olds was 47.3%
- Adults over 30 years old
- People with diabetes
- Pregnant women
- Smoker
5. Risk factors for gum disease
Major risk factors for gingivitis include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy)
- Use of certain medications
- Poor nutrition
- Stress
- Genetic factors
6. Is gingivitis dangerous?
Although gingivitis is an early and reversible stage of periodontal disease, if left untreated it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious condition that can lead to tooth loss. In addition, gingivitis can affect overall health, especially in people with diabetes.
7. Is gingivitis contagious?
Gingivitis is not directly contagious. However, the bacteria that cause gingivitis can be passed from person to person through sharing toothbrushes, eating utensils, or kissing.
8. Diagnostic measures for Gingivitis
Diagnosis of gingivitis is usually based on:
- Clinical examination: Assess gum condition, color, swelling, bleeding
- Periodontal pocket depth (PPD) measurement
- Clinical attachment loss (CAL) assessment
- Gingival Index (GI)
- Plaque Index (PI)
- Bleeding on probing (BOP) index
- Simple Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S)
9. Treatments for gingivitis
Treatment of gingivitis includes:
- Scaling and root planing
- Oral hygiene instructions
- Use a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine or other antibacterial agents
- Use hyaluronic acid gel 0.2% to support treatment
- In some cases, 810nm diode laser can be used to support treatment.
- Using chewing gum containing extracts of Scutellaria lateriflora L. and Cistus × incanus L. may help improve gingivitis.
10. How to prevent gingivitis
To prevent gingivitis, the following measures should be taken:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Use dental floss or interdental brushes daily
- Limit sweets and sticky foods
- No smoking
- Control blood sugar well if you have diabetes
- Dental check-up every 6 months
- Regular dental scaling
We all know that the best way to treat gingivitis is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This means practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. If you notice any signs of gingivitis – such as red, swollen gums that bleed easily – make an appointment with Sakura doctors as soon as possible. Early treatment can help prevent gingivitis from turning into a more serious form of gum disease.