GINGIVITS

General Care For Oral Cavity Gum

 

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. But it's important to take gingivitis seriously and treatIn the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build up, causing the gums to become inflamed and to easily bleed during tooth brushing. Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets.

 

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.

A bacterial affected tooth

 

Toxins or poisons -- produced by the bacteria in plaque as well as the body's "good" enzymes involved in fighting infections - start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. When this happens, teeth are no longer anchored in place, they become loose, and tooth loss occurs. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults
In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build up, causing the gums to become inflamed and to easily bleed during tooth brushing. Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage.

 

Bleeding gums

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis
 ■The gums appear to be soft, shiny and swollen in gingivitis.
 ■Bleeding gums or bleeding after brushing is one of the most common signs and complaints of patients with gingivitis.
 ■In severe cases, the gums might appear as swollen and purplish and at times also tender to touch.
 ■At times gingivitis can also be prevalent due to any other systemic condition, or even in pregnancy due to changes in the hormonal levels.
  Common causes
•Build-up of bacterial plaque on the teeth, adjacent gingivae, and pockets between teeth and gums, releasing toxins that cause an inflammatory response (most common species involved are Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria—Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis)
•Build-up of calculus contributes to the chronicity of periodontal disease; if plaque is not removed, it forms a hard mass commonly called 'tartar,' which traps bacteria that cause gingivitis. Toxins released from the bacteria stimulate an immune response (via cytokines) that increases production of collagenase. Untreated, this has a destructive effect on the connective tissue, which renders the teeth less secure, leading to periodontal disease and tooth loss

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

•Smoking tobacco
•Faulty dental prosthesis
•Malocclusion
•Breathing through the mouth
•Local trauma (eg, an overly aggressive toothbrushing technique)
•Dry mouth: because of loss of protective effect of saliva
•Vitamin deficiency, especially of vitamin C

 

Smoking kills your Gum andYourself

 

Rare causes
•Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy (because of increased levels of progesterone, which dilate blood vessels and block collagen repair), adolescence, or menopause (menopausal gingivostomatitis is characterized by dry, shiny gums that bleed easily, accompanied by odd tastes and sensations in the mouth)
•Reaction to oral contraceptives
•Gingival hyperplasia caused by medications (can be an adverse effect of corticosteroids, phenytoin, cyclosporine, and nifedipine)
•Leukemia and other rare blood disorders
•Systemic causes: metabolic disorders such as thyroid disorders or diabetes (type 1 or type 2)

 

Treatment

Analgesic and antiseptic gum paint with applicator buds used in treatment of gingivitis
The focus of treatment for gingivitis is removal of the etiologic (causative) agent, plaque. Therapy is aimed at the reduction of oral bacteria, and may take the form of regular periodic visits to a dental professional together with adequate oral hygiene home care. Thus, several of the methods used in the prevention of gingivitis can also be used for the treatment of manifest gingivitis, such as scaling, root planing, curettage, mouth washes containing chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide, and flossing. Interdental brushes also help remove any causative agents.

Recent scientific studies have also shown the beneficial effects of mouthwashes with essential oils.
 Volunteers with inflammatory conditions, of which gingivitis was most prevalent, treated with DHEP, experienced a significantly greater reduction in pain and inflammation and were also free of pain and inflammatory symptoms as soon as Day 3 of the study compared to those treated with merely 0.0075% diclofenac mouthwash. There was an even greater reduction relative to the placebo group.

Moreover, studies published in the Journal of Periodontology comparing the NSAID’s, Celcoxib or Etorcoxib and the corticosteroid, dexamethasone also showed the power and efficacy of using proper NSAID therapy to combat oral inflammation. The results of these studies showed the use of celecoxib or dexamethasone as effective for the prevention and preemptive control of postoperative pain after periodontal surgery.
Prevention and Treatment of Gum Disease

An Antiseptic

Proper dental hygiene can go a long way toward preventing gum disease. Most of us know the basics:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes.
Floss every day.
Use an antibacterial mouth rinse for more protection from plaque and to improve gingivitis.
Smoking increases the danger of gum disease by damaging gum tissue and increasing inflammation. If you smoke, preventing gum disease is one more very good reason to try to quit.
If gingivitis occurs, your dentist can scrape away plaque buildup at the gum line.
Brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial rinse can usually prevent gingivitis from recurring.

 Treating Gingivitis at Home

1.Know that most of the following steps are unverified home remedies. In the best interest of your dental health, it is advised to visit your dentist and only combine the following home remedies with dentist-recommended advice. Do not use solely as a substitute for dental treatment.
 

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2Try oral probiotics. Oral probiotics contain "good" bacteria that assist in restoring the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth after use of oral antiseptics found in mouthwashes and toothpastes. •Some oral probiotics contain a bacteria called Lactobacillus reuteri (Prodentis), which is naturally found in breast milk and saliva. This bacteria is recommended especially during non-surgical therapy while maintaining other gingivitis treatments.
 

 

3Try ubiquinone. Ubiquinone, also known as Coenzyme Q10, essentially helps convert fats and sugars into energy. In addition to being used to treat diabetes and congestive heart failure, ubiquinone is used to treat gum disease. The FDA, however, has not cleared ubiquinone as medically-appropriate to treat any disease, so ubiquinone should not be used solely to treat gum disease.
 

 

 

4Try a peroxide oral rinse. An oral rinse that contains hydrogen peroxide, such as Colgate Peroxyl, is an antiseptic and antibacterial that helps treat infection and relieve inflammation when it comes in contact with an enzyme in the mouth.
 

 

5Use corsodyl spray. Corsodyl spray is a powerful spray that contains chlorhexidine gluconate, which has antibacterial and antiplaque properties. Corsodyl spray is also used to treat any pain or discomfort associated with mouth ulcers, inflammation and infections of the mouth. •Corsodyl spray can be used when brushing the teeth becomes difficult and/or painful, such as after surgery.

 

Toothbrushing Mistake No. 1: Not Using the Right Toothbrush
Toothbrushing Mistake No. 2: Not Picking the Right Bristles

Toothbrushing Mistake No. 3: Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough
Toothbrushing Mistake No. 4: Brushing Too Often or Too Hard