Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, a very common disease in which the gums turn red and swollen and bleed easily.
It’s recommended to take it seriously as it can lead to a much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.
Many studies have linked Gum disease to severe health problems such as heart disease, stroke, some cancers, tooth loss, damage to the jaw, and even death.
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Gingivitis most common signs and symptoms?
Data from the CDC shows a high prevalence of periodontal disease in the U.S. population; more than 47 percent of American adults have some stage of gum disease, including gingivitis.
The main cause of gingivitis is the build-up of plaque, which is a layer of bacteria that develops around, on, and in between our teeth.
If the plaque isn’t removed, the bacteria will irritate the gums and cause inflammation.
Gingivitis is not pleasant, and if it is not treated it will turn into full-blown gum disease (periodontitis).
Many people do not realise they have gingivitis, but the symptoms are obvious to spot. They include:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Dusky red or dark red gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Tender gums
Healthy gums should be firm, pale pink and fitted tightly around the teeth.
According to health experts, signs of good oral health include the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort or disease.
Is Gingivitis reversible?
Gingivitis is an early and reversible gum disease.
You need to treat gingivitis as soon as you notice symptoms starting to avoid more serious and irreversible forms of gum diseases such as periodontitis.
If you have gingivitis, you have pockets of plaque stuck between your gums and teeth and you need to get rid of it before it spreads to the tissues and bone.
The sooner you seek care and start taking better care of your teeth and gums, the better.
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How to fix bleeding gums?
To stop your gums from bleeding and other symptoms of gingivitis, you need to tackle the plaque that is causing it.
“Bleeding gums are a sure sign that they are inflamed and that your daily oral hygiene needs to be tweaked in order to prevent losing some of the tooth support that the gums provide,” says Dentist and The Humble Co. founder, Noel Abdayem.
“Gingivitis is caused by the biofilm (plaque) that settles around each tooth. Therefore extra attention is needed to remove the biofilm.”
The dental expert advises everyone to brush all surfaces of their teeth thoroughly for about two minutes twice a day.
Mr Abdayem also recommends using interdental cleaners to really remove the plaque.
He said: “Use interdental cleaners such as toothpicks or floss to remove the biofilm that forms in between the teeth.”
This step should be done every day before brushing your teeth with a toothpaste that contains fluoride and either an electric or manual toothbrush.
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Another important step in a dental routine to reverse or prevent gingivitis is visiting the dentist.
Mr Abdayem said: “Regular visits to the dental hygienist to remove the mineral layer that deposits around the teeth and which the biofilm loves to stick to.”
If you have gingivitis, you should see your dental hygienist scrape away plaque and tartar (a scale and polish treatment).
Quitting smoking is another good idea because the gums of smokers are also more susceptible to infection.