Gingivitis is a common dental condition that is also known as dental caries. Gingivitis occurs when your gums get an infection. It is best to avoid this condition and the pain and discomfort by maintaining good dental hygiene. Prevention of gingivitis through dental hygiene helps to avoid complications like tooth loss and severe gum disease called periodontitis. Going for regular screening of dental problems helps you to maintain a radiant smile.
It is essential to have regular dental checkups so that any infections or cavities in your mouth can be detected at an early stage and get early treatment. When you visit Scott Young DDS, they will take a thorough medical history and examine your mouth to look for any problems. Treatment will then be individualized depending on the severity of your condition and the treatment method that you prefer.
What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?
Gingivitis refers to inflammation that occurs in the gums and presents with the signs such as swelling of the affected gums and the darkening of the gums. Sometimes the gums may appear to be very red. When the gum gets inflammation, it easily bleeds as you brush or floss your teeth.
Gingivitis also makes the gums recede and feel sore when you touch them. With time, the gums’ infection starts to produce a foul smell in your mouth, which can make you uncomfortable. The pain in your gums can make you unable to chew food effectively. If untreated, the microorganisms in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream, causing other systemic illnesses.
These systemic illnesses include diabetes and heart diseases that could lead to coronary artery disease and stroke. Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis or trench mouth is another complication of gingivitis that is caused by poor nutrition and poor oral hygiene. Gingivitis is also a risk factor for diabetes and other respiratory infections.
What Are the Risk Factors of Gingivitis?
For gingivitis to occur, four factors are necessary. These factors include tooth, plaque, bacteria, and poor dental hygiene. People at risk of gingivitis include those who do not brush or floss their teeth regularly, especially after eating sugary foods. Other factors that increase the risk of gingivitis include smoking or chewing tobacco and having a dry mouth.
Nutritional deficiency, like lack of enough vitamin C and having poorly fitting dental restorations that are hard to clean, are other factors that put you at risk of gingivitis. Persons with a weak immunity like HIV patients and people on chemotherapy have a higher chance of getting gingivitis. Some people have a genetic predisposition to gingivitis, while drugs like antihypertensive medication also cause gingivitis. Old age can put you at risk of gingivitis.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums that presents with painful and swollen gums, and the mouth can also have a bad smell. The risk factors for gingivitis include old age, genetic predisposition, poorly fitting dental restorations, poor dental hygiene, and nutritional deficiencies. You can reduce your risk of developing gingivitis by ensuring that you maintain good oral hygiene and schedule regular visits to the dentist.