Gingivitis – Overview

Gingivitis is a form of early gum disease that leads to redness, irritation, and swelling in the part of your gums that forms the base of the teeth. Healthy gums are pale pink and are firmly fitted around the teeth. However, when bacteria in the oral cavity combine with the food particles that are not cleaned, it results in an infection that causes swelling, irritation, redness, and even bleeding of your gums. Gingivitis is a common condition of the oral cavity that affects around 50% of adults over 30. The following groups are more prone to developing gingivitis:

• Men – While there is no apparent reason why men are more likely to develop gingivitis, male hormones can be considered as one of the possible risk factors.
• Smokers – Individuals who smoke have a weaker immune system, and their bodies have a decreased ability to fight off infections, including infections of the oral cavity.
• Pregnant Women – The changing hormones in the female body during pregnancy can lead to gum diseases, including gingivitis.

Causes of Gingivitis

It is normal to have bacteria in the oral cavity; however, when the bacteria combine with the food particles, it results in plaque, a sticky layer on the teeth. If plaque is left uncleaned regularly, it can cause an infection in your gingiva (part of your gums that meet the teeth) and result in the condition known as gingivitis.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

For the first few weeks, you may not notice any symptoms. However, within a month, you can experience the following symptoms of gingivitis.

• Bleeding from the gums while brushing
• Redness or swelling in the gums
• Pulling away your gums from your teeth

How Does Gingivitis Affect Your Teeth?

While the symptoms of gingivitis are often mild and subsides with adequate dental treatment, if left untreated, a mild condition like gingivitis can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss.

When gingivitis is left untreated, the gum around your tooth may start receding, which eventually loosens your tooth, resulting in tooth loss. Fortunately, gingivitis is a treatable oral cavity condition. However, it does require you to schedule an appointment with a reliable dental health practitioner such as Brighter Smile Dental. When you schedule an appointment with our dentist, you can rest assured that you will get the most appropriate dental treatment for your specific oral health condition.

For gum diseases such as gingivitis, we recommend thorough cleaning and scaling of your teeth and may also recommend additional treatment based on your unique condition. Find out more about our dental health services by getting in touch with us at 02 9661 4193 or sending an online enquiry.