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What is Gingivitis ?
If your gums are swollen, tender and bleed easily when you brush your teeth, it means that you have the gum disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is the mildest form of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is usually caused by bacteria that accumulate in the spaces between the gums and the teeth. Over the years, the gum inflammation can lead to bone loss around the teeth. Since the bones hold the teeth in place, this condition can eventually lead to falling of teeth.
The term Gingivitis is derived from the Latin gingiva meaning gums and it is meaning inflammation of. Put together, we get the terminology gingivitis meaning inflammation of the gums.
Gingivitis is both preventable and treatable. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene, although factors such as medications and lowered immunity can also cause gingivitis. Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings can significantly reduce your risk of developing this potentially serious condition. If you already have gingivitis, professional cleaning can help reverse the damage.
The gingivitis infection is caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque. Gingivitis starts with plaque. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film that forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth. Plaque is composed of bacteria, small particles, proteins, and mucus. This plaque accumulates constantly on the teeth and gums. It is a thin film of bacteria that forms almost as soon as you remove it. With regular brushing and flossing, the plaque can be easily removed and does no harm to your gums. If it is not removed properly once every 24 hours, plaque begins to form and infect the gums. If plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, it will begin to calcify (harden). This hardened plaque is known as tartar and can no longer be removed with simple brushing and flossing. It must be removed by a dentist. Tartar buildup can irritate the gums and harbor bacteria as well.
When plaque and tartar are left on the teeth and gums, the bacteria in them turn more harmful. Most of these bacteria are anaerobes meaning that oxygen will kill them. They survive in the inner parts of the plaque where oxygen cannot reach them. In addition, large clumps of bacterial plaque residing at the gum line will prevent oxygen from reaching areas under the gum line. These regions are fertile environments for breeding of the hostile anaerobic bacteria. These harmful bacteria release toxins which damage the gums and cause gum infection and inflammation.
The best way to prevent gingivitis is by flossing, brushing, and rinsing with an anti-microbial rinse to remove excess bacteria. Proper home dental care can remove plaque. Regular cleanings during routine dental visits can remove tartar which harbors and nurtures the proliferation of the undesirable bacteria. If gingivitis is not treated, in due course, it may progress to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease damages the bone and connective tissue that supports the teeth eventually leading to tooth loss. |
