Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gingiva (gums) it is the earliest sign of gum disease. Gingivitis causes redness, irritation, bleeding, and swelling. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene it is also important to note that it is reversible, and if it is not treated it can lead to periodontitis a more serious gum disease and tooth loss. About 47% of adults in the United States have a form of gum disease.

Signs and Symptoms

• Inflamed, swollen, puffy gums

• Dark pink or dark red gums

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing

• Sensitive or tender gums

• Bad breath

• Plaque or calculus build-up

Causes

There are a few contributing factors that cause gingivitis the most common is poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene allows bacteria such as plaque to form on teeth and cause inflammation around the gum tissue.

• Plaque formation begins as a soft, sticky, film substance that is composed of bacteria that forms on your teeth when sugar and starches from food interact with bacteria already in the mouth. The plaque will feed off of the sugar and starches and produce acids. Plaque is detectable in 8-24 hours if not disrupted frequent removal is necessary to reduce and eliminate plaque.

• Plaque turns into calculus when it starts to be calcified and accumulates if it is not being removed frequently or effectively. Calculus (tartar) is composed of primarily calcium phosphates and mineral salts. Plaque can take 8-12 hours to harden into calculus and starts to mineralize within 10-12 days.

• Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) starts to occur when plaque and calculus are surrounding the tooth the gums are the first to be induced in swollen, tenderness, bleeding, and redness which are early signs of gum disease that is preventable and reversible if treated immediately.

Risk Factors

• Poor oral hygiene

• Dry mouth

• Smoking/chewing tobacco/pouches

• Poor nutrition/diet

• Medications

• Hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, birth control, and menopause

• Dental restorations that need repair or don’t properly fit-old fillings, crowns or crooked teeth that are hard to clean

• Medical conditions that decrease immunity and fungal or viral infections

• Genetics

  Prevention

• Good oral hygiene routine. Brushing frequently at least 2 times a day for about 2 minutes and flossing at least 1 time a day. Implement brushing your tongue as it collects several bacteria throughout the day. Create a good oral hygiene routine first thing in the morning and at night time right before bed or before your last snack or drink. Speak to your dental hygienist and dentist about the best practice for you.

• Regular dental visits. It is important to see your dental hygienist and dentist regularly every 6 to 12 months or in some cases, it is every 3-4 months. It helps decrease the chance of gum disease and any early signs of other health-related conditions. Oral cancer screenings are performed at every dental hygiene visit and dental exam. Annual radiographs (X-rays) are essential to help identify and monitor any diseases that are not visually seen clinically.

• Balance overall health. A well-balanced diet, healthy eating habits, exercises-manging blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. all contribute to our systemic overall health. More smiles less stress.