It’s critical to take gingivitis seriously and receive prompt treatment because it can progress to periodontitis, a much more serious form of gum disease that can result in tooth loss. Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of our gingiva, the part of gum around the base of teeth.
CAUSES OF GINGIVITIS
The most frequent cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene, which can be prevented and reversed by practicing good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing at least twice daily and scheduling routine dental checkups.
SYMPTOMS OF GINGIVITIS
Gingivitis symptoms and signs include: Tightly fitting, firm, pale pink gums that are firm around the teeth.
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Gums that are dark or dusky red
- When brushing or flossing, your gums bleed easily
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Tender gums
CAUSES OF GINGIVITIS
Poor oral hygiene is the main contributor to gingivitis because it promotes plaque buildup on teeth, which inflames the gum tissues around them.
Plaque can cause gingivitis in the following ways:
- Plaque forms on teeth-The bacteria in our mouths interact with the starches and sugars in food to form plaque, an invisible, sticky film that forms on our teeth and needs to be removed daily because it quickly forms again.
- Plaque turns into tartar-The bacteria-collecting tartar (calculus) that forms from plaque that is left on our teeth makes it more challenging to remove plaque, acts as a barrier against bacteria, and irritates the gumline.
- Gingiva become inflamed (gingivitis)-Plaque and tartar irritate the gingiva, the area of our gums that surrounds the base of our teeth, more so the longer they remain on our teeth. This irritation leads to inflammation, which in turn causes our gums to swell and bleed easily. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis and eventually result in tooth loss.
RISK FACTORS
Everyone has a chance of developing gingivitis due to a number of risk factors, which include:
- Poor oral care habits
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Older age
- Dry mouth
- Having a poor diet and not getting enough vitamin C
- improperly fitting dental implants or difficult-to-clean teeth with crookedness
- Leukemia, HIV/AIDS, and cancer treatments are examples of conditions that lower immunity.
- A number of medications, including calcium channel blockers used to treat angina, high blood pressure, and other conditions, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) for epileptic seizures
- changes in hormones, such as those brought on by menstruation, pregnancy, or the use of birth control pills
- Genetics
- illnesses like specific viral and fungus infections
COMPLICATIONS OF GINGIVITIS
Gingivitis, if left untreated, can develop into periodontitis, a much more serious condition that can result in tooth loss by spreading to the bone and tissue beneath the gum line.
Some research suggests that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter our bloodstream through gum tissue, potentially affecting our heart, lungs, and other body parts. Chronic gingival inflammation has been thought to be associated with some systemic diseases such as respiratory disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG), also known as trench mouth, is a severe form of gingivitis that results in painful, infected, bleeding gums and ulcerations. While trench mouth is uncommon in developed countries today, it is common in developing countries with poor nutrition and substandard living conditions.
PREVENTION OF GINGIVITIS
- Good oral hygiene
- Regular dental visits
- Good health practices
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR GINGIVITIS
MERCURIUS SOL –Very helpful medicine for gum inflammation, given when the gums are inflamed, painful, turn purple, swell up, and become spongy. Also advised when gums recede, bleed, and a tooth becomes loose.
KREOSOTUM –Given when gums are inflamed, turned bluish, spongy, and bleeding. There is a putrid odor and bitter taste in the mouth. Recommended when teeth appear dark,crumbly, and black spots on teeth. Very effective medicine for gingivitis with rapid decay of teeth.
CARBO VEGETABILIS –Very useful for bad odor and sour, bitter taste in the mouth. Helpful when blood oozes from the gums while cleaning teeth. Useful for receded gums which bleed easily and are painful while chewing.
ALUMEN –Very effective medicine for loose teeth and gingivitis. Swollen, inflamed, and spongy gum are common symptoms.
LACHESIS –Very effective medication for gum inflammation that appears bluish and has a bad odor and peppery aftertaste.
PHOSPHORUS –Giving this medication when the gums bleed easily and are sore behind the incisors is helpful for gum inflammation with bleeding. It is also helpful when the pain is aggravated by cold, heat, and eating
SILICEA –The best treatment for gum inflammation is given when the patient experiences bad water taste, bad mouth odor, and dryness. The gums must also be sensitive to cold air and water.
STAPHYSAGRIA –It is advised to take this medication if you have pale, swollen gums that bleed easily and lots of salivation, as well as gum inflammation brought on by tooth decay.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS –Suitable when teeth decay at the gum line, crumble, and turn yellow, this medicine is effective for gum inflammation associated with tooth decay.
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