A disorder involving inflammation of the gums; may affect surrounding and supporting structures of the teeth
Symptoms of Gingivitis
The following features are indicative of Gingivitis:
swollen or puffy gums
dusky red or dark red gums
bad breath
tender gums
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Common Causes of Gingivitis
The following are the most common causes of Gingivitis:
plaque forms on teeth
plaque turns into tartar
inflammation of gingiva
Risk Factors for Gingivitis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Gingivitis:
poor oral care habits
smoking or chewing tobacco
older age
dry mouth
poor nutrition
dental restorations
hormonal changes
genetics
viral infections
fungal infections
Prevention of Gingivitis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Gingivitis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
maintaining good oral hygiene
regular dental visits
keeping good health practices
Occurrence of Gingivitis
Common Age Group
Gingivitis most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 10-20 years
Common Gender
Gingivitis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Gingivitis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Gingivitis:
Dental and medical history: To diagnose symptoms of gingivitis
Physical Examination of teeth: To diagnose signs of plaque and inflammation
Dental X-rays Examination: To check for bone loss in areas with deeper pockets
Doctor for Diagnosis of Gingivitis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Gingivitis:
Dentist
Complications of Gingivitis if untreated
Yes, Gingivitis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Gingivitis is left untreated:
periodontitis
infection or abscess of the gums or the jaw bones
trench mouth
Procedures for Treatment of Gingivitis
The following procedures are used to treat Gingivitis:
Scaling: To remove tartar and bacteria from tooth surfaces
Root planning: To remove the bacterial products produced by inflammation and to smoothen the root surfaces
Self-care for Gingivitis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Gingivitis:
Maintaining good oral hygiene: Help clean away the loosened food particles and bacteria
Regular dental visits: For visual dental examination and monitoring for changes in dental health
Maintaining good health practices: To maintain gum health
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Gingivitis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Gingivitis:
Use of mouthwash and essential oils: To prevent inflammation of gingivitis
Time for Treatment of Gingivitis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Gingivitis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: