Gingival Hyperplasia

Gingival hyperplasia definition can be simply stated as the overgrowth of the gums, medically termed as gingiva. It is a type of soft tissue found in the mouth. The enlarged gums are often characterized by firmness and non-painful swellings. In several cases, the enlarged gums cover the teeth. The symptoms may or may not involve bleeding and tenderness in the gums. These two symptoms are present when gingiva is related to gingivitis. Bleeding and tenderness occur due to abnormal enlargement of the gums. Gingival hyperplasia is also referred to as fibromatous periodontal hyperplasia.

Gingiva in cats and dogs is also quite common. Dogs belonging to large and giant breeds are found to be the major sufferers. Various cases of canine gingival hyperplasia are reported to have familial inheritance. They include Great Danem Doberman pinscher, Boxer and Dalmatian.

Gingiva Causes
Gingival hyperplasia can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from pregnancy to general diseases. Many victims have a genetic predisposition for gingiva. The condition runs in their families. It is one of the symptoms of fetal valporate syndrome and several metabolic dysfunctions. Prolonged exposure to bacterial plaque and medication are another major causes of gingiva. The drugs whose long term intake can give rise to enlarged gums are dephenylhydration, nifedipine, cyclosporin, nitrendipine, etc.

Gingiva Treatment
People suffering from gingiva seek medical treatment mainly because of two reasons; first it can make eating difficult and second is that it is aesthetically unpleasing. A doctor takes help of a number of diagnostic tests to determine the presence of gingival hyperplasia in a patient. Some of such tests are baseline tests that include a complete blood count, urinalysis, biochemical profile. He also studies the data obtained by inspection and examination of the patient's oral cavity and biopsy of the gingiva. The condition of gingiva can be diagnosed by a dentist, but you may have to visit another medical specialist to determine the exact cause and get an effective plan of treatment.

The treatment for gingiva involves the cure of its underlying factor. Hence, exact determination of the causative factor is a must to treat gingival hyperplasia completely and permanently. Some severe cases of gingiva may need surgical treatment for the removal of the affected gums. It may include reconstructive surgery to repair the remaining healthy gums. Gingivectomy is another method of treating gingival hyperplasia. It is a dental procedure that involves trimming of the enlarged gums to their normal, aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-clean size.

If you feel that the intake of certain medicine is the reason behind gingiva in your case, you should stop its ingestion. If that particular drug is very important for curing some sort of ailment, consult your doctor and follow his recommendations and advises. Maintaining a sound oral health is essential in preventing a wide variety of dental and medical sicknesses. Therefore, take the signs and symptoms of gingival hyperplasia with utmost concern and visit a dentist to get effective dental care and attention.