Signs of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a gum disease caused by bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding the gums and teeth. The growth of bacteria in these areas is mainly triggered by lack of proper oral hygiene. The sugary and starchy components present in our foods react with the bacteria present inside the mouth to form a soft, sticky, colorless film known as plaque. Regular brushing and flossing helps to eliminate this plaque. In case, it is not cleaned up properly, it hardens to form tartar which becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Hormonal changes are responsible for gingivitis during pregnancy. Other factors that can contribute towards gingivitis are poor nutrition and side effects of medicines. Early signs of this disease are not painful but as it progresses, the gums may hurt a lot.

Symptoms

The bacteria that grow in tartar tend to irritate the gum at the base of the teeth called gingiva, which in turn, gives rise to a number of annoying symptoms. They are as follows:

• Gingivitis is commonly known as bleeding gums. Therefore, one of the most obvious signs is that the gums starts bleeding easily. It is a common occurrence particularly while brushing or flossing.
• Red and swollen gums is another clear sign of gingivitis. If the gums are badly inflamed, then it turns soft and puffy.
• Occasionally, gums may become extremely tender and sensitive.
• When the gums are in healthy condition, then its tissue is firm and it is pale pink in color. If it get infected, then the color of the gums change to bright red or purplish red.
• Receding gums is another problem faced by people suffering from gingivitis.
• Sometimes, mouth sores may develop on the gum surface.
• All the above mentioned symptoms could be accompanied by bad breath or a bad taste in mouth due to the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

Treatment

When you observe the signs of gingivitis, you must visit the dentist as early as possible for proper treatment. The first step of treatment is deep dental cleaning for removal of plaque and tartar hidden under the gums. Various specialized dental instruments are used for this purpose and the technique is called scaling. It may cause a little bit of discomfort as the gums are already tender because of tartar build up. Sometimes, misaligned teeth or poorly fitted crown makes it difficult to clean up the plaque with brushing. If any such problem is responsible for causing gingivitis, then it need to be corrected in order to cure it. The treatment should be followed by adequate dental care at home. Your dentist may even suggest some changes in brushing and flossing techniques. He may also prescribe antiseptic mouth rinse to control any further growth of bacteria. You should also eat right kind of foods. Crispy fibrous foods such as apples and carrots can massage the gums well and keep them healthy. Eat foods that are rich sources of vitamin C such as citrus fruits as it can cure gingivitis. You must stay away from sugary foods and high fat foods because they promote plaque formation.

The signs of gingivitis are often mild and we tend to ignore them. If it is left untreated, then it can lead to more serious form of gum disease and may even lead to tooth loss. Recurrence of the signs can be prevented with good oral care. Brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day. Regular flossing is also important as it removes trapped food particles from those areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. Thus, the chances of plaque formation is reduced to a great extent.