bleeding during tooth brushing or chewing solid food
The most common type. It manifests as gum bleeding during brushing, mild pain, and itching. Without timely and proper treatment, it can progress to more severe forms.
Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease of the gums that almost every person encounters at least once in their lifetime. It manifests as increased sensitivity, swelling, bleeding, plaque buildup on the teeth, and bad breath.
With timely diagnosis, gingivitis is successfully treated and does not cause complications. However, if left untreated, it can progress to a chronic form and lead to the development of periodontitis or periodontosis.
The human mouth contains millions of conditionally pathogenic bacteria. With good immunity and proper oral hygiene, they do not manifest, but when provoking factors appear, they cause disease development.
The causes of gingivitis may include:
Gingivitis can develop at any age, but children are more prone to it because their immune systems are still developing and oral hygiene is often insufficient.
These symptoms are nonspecific and may appear in various oral diseases.<br> Only a dentist can make an accurate diagnosis after an examination and necessary tests.
In gingivitis, inflammation may affect a small area of the gums around one or several teeth, or all the gums on both jaws.
The main symptoms of gingivitis include:
bleeding during tooth brushing or chewing solid food
burning sensation, dull pain
accumulation of plaque on the teeth
bad breath
gum redness
swelling
Depending on the form and stage of gingivitis, different treatment methods are used.
Gingivitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. In the first case, pronounced symptoms appear within 1–2 days; in the second, symptoms are minimal or almost absent, but inflammation continues in a sluggish form and may occasionally worsen.
Additionally, gingivitis is classified by the nature of the disease course.
The main types include:
The most common type. It manifests as gum bleeding during brushing, mild pain, and itching. Without timely and proper treatment, it can progress to more severe forms.
Characterized by the appearance of ulcers, necrosis of affected tissues, grayish deposits on the teeth, and unpleasant odor from the mouth. Sometimes body temperature rises and general health deteriorates.
Along with other symptoms, gum tissue grows excessively and covers part of the tooth crown.
Characterized by gum recession, which exposes the necks of the teeth. This increases bleeding, sensitivity to temperature and taste stimuli, and raises the risk of periodontitis and periodontosis.
Manifests as severe gum redness, formation of blisters and ulcers, and detachment of the upper epithelial layer.
Since gum diseases have similar manifestations, only an experienced dentist can make the correct diagnosis. In most cases, a professional examination is sufficient, but in complex cases, additional tests may be needed:
Such diagnostics help identify or rule out more serious conditions such as periostitis, periodontitis, and periodontosis.
The treatment plan depends on the form of gingivitis, severity of symptoms, and presence of concomitant diseases.
The dentist may prescribe the following:
Vector therapy is the most effective method for treating gum diseases. It allows for visible improvement after just 1–2 sessions. By cleaning the gums and periodontal pockets from bacterial film and hard deposits, gingivitis resolves much faster.
After a Vector therapy session, the dentist may recommend home treatment with rinses, ointments, and medications. The latter are prescribed only in severe cases.
If gingivitis develops as a result of another illness, a consultation with a specialist and appropriate treatment may be required.
“Oxford Medical” is a network of modern private dental clinics for adults and children. The clinics are located in central districts of Kyiv and operate seven days a week.
Thanks to experienced dentists of various specialties and advanced premium-class equipment, patients are guaranteed the highest quality of care.
To schedule a consultation with a dentist at “Oxford Medical”, call our contact center or message us via the chat on the website.
Gingivitis treatment in children is carried out similarly to adults. The dentist determines the treatment plan based on the form and stage of the disease as well as the child’s overall health condition.
Instead of Vector therapy, professional tooth cleaning may sometimes be recommended, and for home treatment — rinses and medicinal gels. Antibiotics and other medications are prescribed only in cases of complications.