Gingivitis is the medical name for inflamed gums; a symptom that appears as redness and swelling on the gums. While inflamed gums aren’t life-threatening, they can severely affect your oral health. You must seek professional help as soon as you show symptoms of gum inflammation. Because it can develop into very serious oral complications
What causes inflamed gums?
One of the common causes of inflamed gums is poor oral hygiene. Not taking care of your teeth allows plaque to build. Because plaque is a biofilm that consists of bacteria that hardens if you don’t remove it right away.
Once plaque hardens it turns into tartar and enters the gum line. The thing about tartar is that in essence, it’s a protective barrier for bacteria. Meaning it’s hard to penetrate and therefore, gives bacterial within its longevity.
Bacterial byproducts will then cause inflamed gums and even receding gums. You’re likely to develop swollen gums and dental cavities throughout the process. Because in the long run, this may lead to tooth loss.
Symptoms
In a good condition, your gums should have a light pink shade and should as well fit tightly around your teeth. Now many other conditions can disrupt this balance. But inflamed gums would typically cause the following changes along your gum line.
- Swelling in the gums gives them a “puffy” appearance
- A change in the light oink color that is more towards dark red.
- Bleeding without a cause or bleeding easily in the gums
- Presence of a bad mouth odor
- Receding or tender gums
What habits to stop for better oral health
■ Poor oral care
Make oral hygiene a daily part of your routine. It’s the biggest factor in avoid plaque and tartar development. Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily to prevent inflamed gums.
■ Smoking and tobacco use
Using tobacco through smoking or chewing reduces saliva in the mouth. Saliva is important for your oral health because it washes away bacteria making it harder for plaque to build up. But with the use of cigarettes, you lose this trait. It then becomes much easier for bacteria to establish colonies between your gums. Research shows time and time again that smokers are at a higher risk of developing tartar and inflamed gums.
■ Dry mouth
Similar to tobacco use; having a dry mouth prevents your saliva from conducting its responsibilities. Which in turn facilitates the development of tartar and inflamed gums.
■ Vitamin C deficiency
An important component of the gums is collagen. Collagen makes up connective tissue and for your body to supply it you need a balanced diet. An important vitamin in the making of collagen is vitamin C, where its deficiency leads to inflamed gums.
■ Poor placement of dental restoration
Not all dentists have the skill to fit dental restoration. You need to make sure you’re going to a certified dentist with ample experience. Many think taking the cheaper route would get the job done. While it might, it’s hurting your teeth. You can consider better affordable dentistry such as dental treatments in İstanbul. And specifically at the leading Slow-Dentistry-certified Dentakay. Getting proper fitting prevents the restoration from harming your gums leading to inflammation.
■ Other
Side effects of medication, having immune conditions, even normal changes can affect the gum tissue. This makes could make you at risk of developing inflamed gums.
How to treat inflamed gums
Once you notice swelling in your gums, you should immediately practice oral care. Start brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouth wash. In most cases, inflamed gums will respond well to this. But if your gums continue to be inflamed you should see a dentist.
At Dentakay, our treatment plan for inflamed gums includes the following:
- Performing a full mouth dental x-ray
- Conducting routine blood tests to check for deficiencies or infections
- Prescribing specific mouthwashes or rinses or antibiotics
In most cases, this should be enough to identify the underlying causes and encourage healing. But in some cases, where inflamed gums have reached critical levels surgery may be necessary.
The surgery isn’t very invasive and follows a scraping approach. Your dentist will remove all the inflamed gums, tartar, calculus found deep under the gums.
