Gingivitis is one of the most common oral health problems. Although it may appear relatively harmless, it can lead to several more serious complications. It is therefore important to take care of your gums.
The team at the Centre Dentaire & d’Implantologie Boucherville is here to help you better understand the causes of gingivitis, the possible complications, as well as the forms of prevention you can employ.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is one of the main ailments affecting the gums. It is a form of inflammation that is mainly caused when the oral hygiene measures used are insufficient.
It develops slowly and does not usually cause pain during this period. If left untreated, gingivitis can easily lead to other more serious problems.
Factors that increase the risk of gingivitis
No one is totally immune from gingivitis. As mentioned above, the main cause of this inflammation is inadequate oral hygiene. When you don’t take care of your teeth, plaque and tartar build up on your teeth. This tartar and plaque infiltrate your gums and cause gingivitis.
However, there are certain factors that can increase your risk of gingivitis. These problematic factors include:
- Tobacco consumption
- Frequent alcohol abuse
- Continuous malnutrition
- Stress
- Hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy
- Heredity, etc.
As you can see, no one is 100% protected against gingivitis. That’s why it is always essential to take care of your mouth and consult a dentist if you think you have a problem.
Symptoms of gingivitis
At first, gingivitis often goes unnoticed. However, with time, several symptoms appear and betray the presence of this inflammation. The main symptoms of gingivitis are:
- Bleeding at the gums, especially after brushing the teeth
- Redness or swelling of the gums
- A loosening or misalignment of the teeth
- Bad breath that persists even after brushing
If you notice any of these symptoms, or any other problem in your oral health, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Consequences and effects of gingivitis
Gingivitis is in itself a benign infection. However, it can easily cause other more serious diseases and infections. It is important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice the possible presence of gingivitis in your mouth.
When left untreated, gingivitis can progress to deeper tissue. Eventually, it can even reach the jawbone. One of the most common outcomes of gingivitis is periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss.
To learn more about this form of infection, read our article on periodontitis.
In addition, poor dental hygiene can also have a serious impact on your overall health.
Fortunately, healing from gingivitis is very easy. Most of the time, your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic that will heal your gums after a few uses.
Top ways to prevent gingivitis
Although it is not very difficult to treat, it is always best to prevent gingivitis from occurring. The most important thing is to maintain good dental hygiene habits.
Next, it is worthwhile to pay attention to what you eat. A low-sugar, nutrient-rich diet is not only a great way to prevent gingivitis, but it also helps take care of your overall health.
Finally, since excess alcohol and smoking are factors that promote the onset of gingivitis, it is important to pay attention to our lifestyle habits.
In short, protecting your gums from gingivitis is not a particularly complicated task. In addition, the habits you can adopt to minimize the risks of its appearance are also excellent habits to have to help you stay healthy.
Taking care of your teeth is taking care of yourself!
Benefits of a follow-up with the dentist
One of the best ways to ensure good oral health is to follow up with your dentist. An oral health specialist will be able to offer you personalized advice.
In addition, regular follow-ups can help diagnose problems before they become too serious. This helps prevent oral ailments and diseases.
For any oral health service, trust the experts at the Centre Dentaire & d’Implantologie Boucherville: make an appointment today.