Inflammation of the gums: how to cure, causes

Under the concept of “inflammation of the gums” are various inflammatory processes (of different origin, nature, degree of tissue damage). Probably everyone is familiar with this problem in one form or another. Unfortunately, many are frivolous about swelling and bleeding of the gums – signs that clearly indicate the presence of inflammation, and yet even a slight inflammation on the mucous membrane can develop into a serious disease and lead to the loss of healthy teeth.

In order to maintain dental health, it is important to timely identify various inflammatory and pathological processes in the oral cavity, undergo an examination by a dentist on time and treat the gums in order to prevent the development of serious diseases and dangerous complications.

Causes of gum disease

Gum disease and inflammation can have different causes, but poor oral care is still the main causative factor. Irregular brushing of teeth, insufficient attention to the least (difficult) accessible areas (between the teeth (interdental spaces), the front and back walls of the extreme molars), the wrong choice of a toothbrush, ignoring rinsing after snacks – as a result, food particles remain between the teeth, forming an ideal environment for bacteria.

A consequence of the active vital activity of bacteria is the formation of dental plaque, which eventually mineralizes (turns into tartar). Hard deposits on the enamel have sharp edges that injure the gum tissue and provoke the development of the inflammatory process.

There are also factors that increase your risk of developing gum disease:

• hereditary predisposition;
• weakened immunity;
• sensitivity of the gum tissue due to prior chemical injury, burns;
• deterioration of the protective properties of the mucous membrane due to mechanical injury (from the use of a hard brush, wearing braces, prostheses, contact with the sharp edge of the crown, poorly processed filling);
• concomitant diseases of the oral cavity, for example, stomatitis (what is stomatitis, read on our website);
• deficiency of B vitamins, vitamins D, C, some minerals (may be associated with an insufficiently balanced diet or gastrointestinal diseases that impede the normal absorption of nutrients);
• hormonal changes (during pregnancy, during puberty);
• endocrine system diseases (diabetes, thyroid dysfunction);
• taking a number of medications (antibiotics, drugs for hypertension, oral contraceptives, antidepressants);
• bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking, addiction to sweets).

Types of gum disease

Inflammatory processes in the gum tissues have two forms or stages:

• 1
  Gingivitis.
• 2
  Periodontitis.

Gingivitis (for photographs of gums in patients with gingivitis, see below this section) is a condition in which only the upper layers of the gum tissue are affected;

Periodontitis is a disease of the gums, in which the inflammatory process spreads deeper, in addition to the gums, the periodontal connective tissues and the periosteum are also affected.

How does gum disease manifest? Symptoms

Inflammation of the gums is not difficult to differentiate according to the following characteristics:

• the gum edge swells and turns red;
• gum tissues become sensitive, especially when subjected to mechanical stress (when chewing, pressing);
• bleeding of the gum tissue appears;
• the patient develops an unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• the gum surface may become irregular and loose.

In the absence of treatment, new symptoms appear, indicating the development of periodontitis:

• the formation and gradual increase in periodontal pockets;
• the development of tooth hypersensitivity to any irritants due to exposure of the neck of the dental root;
• tooth mobility;
• in an advanced stage – the appearance of purulent exudate in periodontal pockets, a change in taste.

The symptoms of gum disease vary depending on the type of inflammation.

Forms of gingivitis

The development of gingivitis can be acute and chronic. The acute form of the disease is catarrhal gingivitis. This type of inflammation is characterized by:

• red or bluish tint of the gum edge;
• discomfort or soreness in the area of inflammation;
• during cleaning, chewing gums bleed.

With the transition to the chronic form, the symptoms of inflammation change, its harm to the health of the teeth and the whole body increases significantly.

There are three types of chronic gingivitis:

• ulcerative – complications such as ulceration on the gums, fever, itching and burning in the gingival papillae, increased salivation, enlarged lymph nodes are added to bleeding;
• hypertrophic gingivitis – bleeding becomes constant, the teeth are sensitive, the gum swells, acquires a dark burgundy or bluish color;
• atrophic – the third, most serious form of gingivitis, in which the gums bleed continuously, atrophy of the gum tissue occurs, the roots of the teeth are exposed, any irritant can cause severe toothache.

Both gingivitis and periodontitis can develop locally (in the area of one or two teeth), and can affect all the teeth of the jaw.

The sooner gum disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and the lesser the consequences for the patient’s health. In the advanced stages of gingivitis, periodontitis, purulent processes that are dangerous for the body are triggered, the risk of losing healthy teeth increases. If the gum hurts, what to do? An experienced periodontist will give you the answer to this question.

Treatment for gum disease at Amel Dental

Amel Dental is a modern dentistry clinic that uses European standard techniques for gum treatment. Innovative digital diagnostic equipment, possession of effective minimally invasive methods of surgical treatment allow our specialists to successfully cure gum diseases of any complexity.

If your gums hurt or blood drops appear while brushing your teeth, do not postpone your visit to the dental clinic. Here you will receive advice and professional assistance, the doctor will prescribe an individual treatment in accordance with what type of disease you have, the stage of the disease, based on the general history and indications.

Diagnosis of gum disease

This is the most important stage of treatment, as it allows the doctor to get the most detailed understanding of the patient’s illness and prescribe the optimal treatment program.

In the diagnosis of gum disease in dentistry, the following methods are used:

• examination to determine the localization of inflammation, the condition of the gingival tissues, as well as to identify caries, poorly installed restorations;
• collecting anamnesis – finding out from the patient information about the development of the disease, the presence of chronic diseases, bad habits, in general about the lifestyle;
• probing of gingival pockets to determine their depth and degree of connective tissue damage;
• X-ray diagnostics;
• orthopantomogram.

Instrumental methods make it possible to determine the extent of the spread of the inflammatory process, to find out whether it has affected hard tissues.

Treatment of gingivitis in dentistry

There are different ways to treat gingivitis. So with catarrhal gingivitis, the patient is prescribed:

• professional teeth cleaning procedure;
• dental treatment and replacement of restorations (according to indications);
• antiseptic processing of tissues;
• drug therapy.

Treatment of chronic gingivitis, treatment of periodontitis is carried out according to a more complex scheme:

• in addition to professional hygiene, dental treatment and the elimination of traumatic factors (old crowns, poor-quality fillings), periodontal pockets are also cleaned (removal of tartar, pus accumulated under the gums, polishing of the tooth root surface to prevent plaque formation in the future);
• if necessary – removal of damaged tissues of the gums, connective tissue, modeling the edge of the gums;
• antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drug therapy;
• according to indications – reconstructive surgery (gingivoplasty).

Treating gum disease at home

Of course, this is, in no case, about self-medication. The patient cannot and should not prescribe an antibiotic for gum disease and other medications or prophylaxis to himself. If you have reddened, bleeding and swollen gums, you need to seek help from an experienced periodontist. He will find out the causes of the disease, carry out treatment in dentistry and, after professional treatment, will give recommendations on home treatment, or rather, on oral hygiene and prevention of re-inflammation of the gums.

How to rinse your mouth with gum disease

In parallel with antibiotic drug therapy, dentists use various rinses as an auxiliary anti-inflammatory and prophylactic drug.

These are special professional products, which may include the following active ingredients:

• chlorhexidine;
• plant extracts effective against bacteria.

Benefits of rinsing:

• washing out food debris after eating;
• protection against bacteria;
• acceleration of the process of restoration of gum tissue.

The effect of rinses is short-term, therefore, to obtain the desired effect, you need to rinse your mouth at least 4 times a day.

Gum ointment

Unlike rinses, preparations for application (gels, ointments) penetrate deep into the tissues and therefore have a more prolonged effect.

As part of the treatment for gingivitis, your doctor may prescribe:

• antibacterial anti-inflammatory ointments – preparations based on chlorhexidine, metronidazole, actively fighting bacteria;
• ointments to relieve unpleasant symptoms (pain, itching);
• drugs that stimulate tissue regeneration;
• antifungal drugs – used in the complex therapy of fungal infection of the gums, as well as in the combination of bacterial and fungal infections.

Modern drugs used in dentistry most often combine anesthetic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, which simplifies their use for home treatment.

Healing toothpastes for gums

Toothpaste is not a medicine, but if there are problems with the gums, it complements the general system of anti-inflammatory effects on the tissues of the oral cavity. When choosing a paste, you also need to trust your doctor.

Such pastes usually contain:

• plant extracts that have anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing effects;
• protection against caries;
• mineral salts to strengthen tissues and restore a normal microenvironment in the oral cavity.

As a rule, medicinal pastes are recommended to be used in a limited course – from 1 to 1.5 months.

Traditional methods of treating gum disease

When the gum hurts, most people do not immediately turn to the dentist, but go to Google to tell them how to quickly relieve gum disease. Herbs, hydrogen peroxide, and warming compresses are also used. As a result, traditional medicines often do not bring the desired relief, but on the contrary, significantly complicate the course of the inflammatory process and its treatment.

In fact, there is nothing wrong with rinsing with chamomile or sage, but only if a number of conditions are met:

• the doctor gave you appropriate recommendations;
• the preparation technology, concentration and frequency of use of the product are correctly observed;
• the rules for storing the ready-made rinsing solution have been observed.

The complexity of treatment with folk remedies is that every time you need to prepare a fresh broth, it is difficult to calculate the correct dosage. In addition, there is a likelihood of developing an allergic reaction, therefore it is safer and wiser to use professional medical and preventive measures prescribed by a doctor.

Prevention of gum disease

Gum disease is easiest to fight before it starts. To do this, it is enough to become more attentive to your health and the health of your teeth.

Effective measures to prevent gum disease:

• daily thorough oral hygiene in the morning, evening and after each meal;
• visiting a dental clinic at least 2 times a year;
• an immediate visit to the dentist when even minor symptoms of inflammation appear;
• the correct choice of a toothbrush, taking into account the sensitivity of the gum tissue;
• rinsing with a balm recommended by a specialist to maintain the correct microflora in the oral cavity;
• timely treatment of common somatic diseases;
• including solid fruits and vegetables in the diet to prevent plaque formation;
• limiting sweets and starchy foods in the diet;
• rejection of bad habits;
• healthy food and healthy lifestyle.

An integrated approach is important in gum treatment. Amel Dental guarantees you accurate diagnostics and effective treatment methods, all you have to do is take responsible care of the hygiene and maintenance of oral health.