Gingivitis Cause and Treatment

Gingivitis: Cause and Treatment Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease which involves inflammation and infection of the gums. This inflammation and infection lead to destruction of tissues that support the teeth including the gums, the ligaments and the tooth sockets. Causes: Gingivitis does not form overnight. It is one of the long-term effects of plaque deposits due to improper brushing and flossing. Plaque is a sticky material made of bacteria, mucus, and food debris that grows on exposed parts of the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth decay as plaque, when not removed, turns into a hard deposit called tartar. Tartar then becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar are capable of irritating the gums and making it inflamed. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become infected, swollen and tender. Tender gums easily bleed. Moreover, injury to the gums due to exceedingly vigorous brushing or flossing of the teeth can also cause gingivitis. Medications and birth control pills and heavy metals such as lead and bismuth can also contribute to the development of gingivitis. Misaligned teeth, rough edges of fillings, and ill-fitting or unclean mouth device such as braces, dentures, bridges, and crowns can irritate the gums and also increase the risk of gingivitis. Along with these, general illness, poor dental hygiene, pregnancy and uncontrolled diabetes raise the risk of developing gingivitis. Gingivitis comes at a varying degree on people from all walks of life. It usually develops during puberty or early adulthood due to hormonal changes and may recur frequently depending on the health of the teeth and gums. Symptoms may include bleeding gums, gums that are tender when touched, bright red or red-purple appearance of gums, mouth sores, shiny appearance of gums and swollen gums. Treatment: If you schedule a check-up with the dentist, he will examine your mouth and teeth and look for soft, swollen, red-purple gums. The gums are usually painless or mildly tender. Once symptoms of gingivitis are found, more often than not, you will end up with a painful surgical gingivitis treatment. But then, dental health complications can be totally avoided with good oral practices. Oral health experts highly recommend proper care of the oral and dental regions with the use of high quality and effective mouth care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. As the cliche goes, â€Å"prevention is better than cure† as it can truly be difficult to treat gingivitis once it has taken over the dental regions. Gingivitis and gum diseases can be prevented from developing at the onset. Regular daily brushing with the use of botanical toothpaste and finishing it with a botanical mouthwash is a more effective treatment for gingivitis.