Top Signs You Are Susceptible to Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gingiva (gum) is known as gingivitis. It is commonly affected by the bacterial infection attached to the tooth and causes plaque-induced gingivitis. Gingivitis can result in periodontitis if not treated, and can later cause tooth loss. In Midtown gingivitis can be cured by following the proper treatment by your dentist.

Gingivitis has two categories in disease:

• Plaque-induced gingivitis: Intake of medication results in attachment of bacteria in the tooth which metastases to gums and causes inflammation.
• Non-plaque induced gingivitis: This type of plaque is caused either by environmental or genetic factors, including allergic reactions and illness. In some cases, there is no occurrence of specific symptoms.

Symptoms: 

• Pain – Due to inflammation of the gingiva, there are swollen gums and tearing in the gums that result in pain.
• Bad breath – The bacteria or virus which is attached to the teeth starts consuming the food, which gets stuck. Once bacteria feed on the stuck food, they release sulfur gas resulting in lousy breath while exhaling.
• Periodontitis – The patient suffering from gingivitis results in the progression of the disease to underlying tissue and bone, which makes the socket start the process of detachment of the tooth and results in tooth loss.
• Changing of gum color – Once the infection reaches inside the underlying tissue and bone, it starts causing irritation and infection inside it, which changes the color of skin from usual pink to purple or bright red.
• Sensitivity – The tooth’s sensitivity increases once the gum inflammation becomes more severe, which results in exposure to dentin, and a slight stimulation on that area results in irritation of that part.

Causes: 

• Hormone – The change in the hormone at the time of puberty and the menstrual cycle increases blood flow in the tooth region by which there is a high chance of plaque to affect easier and faster.
• Disease – Diseases such as HIV or cancer will result in the weakening of the immune system. Once bacteria attach to the tooth, there is a low chance of killing the bacteria by our immune system, invading the bacteria inside the gums quickly and causing inflammation.
• Vitamin C – A low diet in Vitamin C can result in an increased supply of reactive oxygen species, damaging the structure and function and resulting in gingivitis.
• Smoking – Gingivitis is most common in people who smoke daily due to continuous smoking weakening the immune system, making it harder to fight against the infection. Once infection penetrates, it causes inflammation and slowness in the healing of the gums.

Maintaining oral hygiene by brushing twice a day results in a low risk of plaque build-up, reducing the inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).