Gingivitis

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a periodontal disease, which affects the tissues that support the teeth such as the gums, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone. Gingivitis acts by infecting and inflaming these tissues.

What are the symptoms of gingivitis?

The symptoms of gingivitis are as follows:

  • Swollen gums that are red or purple in color, instead of their usual pink color.
  • Bleeding gums during tooth brushing.
  • The gums are painful to the touch, while if they are not touched they are painless.
  • Mouth ulcers.

Why does gingivitis occur?

Gingivitis is caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a mass composed of food residue, mucus and bacteria that accumulates on the teeth and, if not removed, becomes tartar. Tartar takes on a hard consistency and becomes trapped at the base of the teeth, so that the bacteria and toxins that form this plaque cause inflammation of the gums.

Can gingivitis be prevented?

Gingivitis can be prevented by good dental hygiene. It is necessary to brush your teeth three times a day and use dental floss or dental floss. The use of dental floss is very important to remove plaque and food residues that remain between the teeth, especially before going to bed. The dental specialist will be the one to advise the patient on the best hygiene habits in each case.

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It is also recommended to have a professional dental cleaning at least once a year, which thoroughly removes all tartar.

What is the treatment of gingivitis?

The main objective in the treatment of gingivitis is to reduce inflammation. To remove tartar build-up, the dentist will perform a professional dental cleaning. After this, it will be necessary for the patient to follow a careful dental hygiene with thorough brushing and flossing.

Antibacterial mouth rinses, repair of aligned teeth that facilitate plaque buildup, and renewal of dental appliances may also be recommended.