Got Gingivitis? Here's What To Do!

In a majority of cases, gingivitis is caused by plaque which is caused by improper and insufficient teeth cleaning, but there are also cases when plaque is not the only culprit. It is important to know about the most common types of gingivitis and how to treat them. 

Some symptoms to look out for if you have chronic gingivitis can include fever, edema, and neck swelling. You may also have difficulty speaking and swallowing. Chronic gingivitis is caused by inadequate oral hygiene which allows the bacteria to cause a thin film of plaque to accumulate on the surface of the teeth. When the bacteria reach the gums they start to damage the tissues and cause ulcers, which could also possibly lead to swelling, redness, slight pain, or increased sensitivity to hot or cold food. This type of gingivitis, if left untreated, and before it turns in to periodontitis, might spread to the adjacent oropharynx medically referred to as VincentAngina.

ANUG or Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis can also start with similar symptoms as chronic gingivitis, but it is not caused by bad oral hygiene. Typically it is caused by severe malnutrition, an immune system disease or associated with severe stress and excessive use of tobacco. This type of gingivitis may become more invasive within a few days and the patient may suffer from fever, severe and rapid onsets of pain and bad breath and could even notice a grey layer formation over the gum membrane.

Drug-induced gingivitis - also known as gingival hyperplasia - can be caused by the adverse effects of drugs such as phenytoin or corticosteroids. Referred to as hyperplasia this involves overgrowth of fibrous tissues of the gum and the symptoms are almost the same as chronic or common gingivitis. The symptoms can include gum swelling and overgrown tissue as well as eating and speaking difficulties. Hyperplasia is easier to detect though since the overgrowth is often prominent.

Recover Your Oral Health

While gingivitis is common, so is treatment and with proper treatment you can fully recover your oral health. It is also important to remember that if gingivitis is left untreated the condition can reach the bone and the root of the teeth and turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis is more painful than gingivitis - as well as more expensive to treat - and in some cases even invasive.

There are several types of treatments for gingivitis. In its earlier stages, it is possible to treat gingivitis through proper oral hygiene practices, but you should get a diagnosis from a certified dentist first. If you are told that you do have gingivitis, you will receive a proper course of treatment. If tartar and plaque film on your teeth are left untreated, your teeth will require a professional cleaning, scaling and polishing.

During the initial gingivitis treatment, antibiotics can be given to stop bacteria and inflammation from spreading as well as help reduce inflammation in some cases. Sometimes painkillers are prescribed to reduce pain and swelling.

Of course regular brushing and flossing and rinsing are also very important always for great oral health hygiene as well as regularly visiting your dentist every three months.

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Reviewed By:    

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.