Here is a shocking revelation of research about gum disease during this COVID era! COVID-19 positive patients who are admitted in hospitals are more likely to die of breathing ailments if they suffer from periodontitis, a severe stage of gum disease. A three months study of dental researchers ended in finding the truth that Covid-19 patients with a high degree of interleukin (IL-6), a toxic protein produced by periodontitis can be a reason for life-threatening respiratory disease.
Gingivitis is a stage of gum disease prior to periodontitis. It is to be seriously taken into account by individuals about treating since it is vulnerable to periodontitis stage. Let us learn more about Gingivitis.
Gingivitis:
Gingivitis is gum disease or gingival disease. People with gingivitis often experience irritation and inflammation of gingival. Normal healthy gingival is pink in colour, maybe with some melanin pigment. The surface of the healthy gingival has an orange peel-like appearance. Proper dental care of gingivitis will easily reverse the condition of the gingiva. Taking care of gumline and paying attention to teeth will save your teeth from gingivitis. Gingivitis is one of the common presenting complaints evidenced.
How gingivitis occurs?
- Poor oral hygiene maintenance: Plaque is an organized bio thin film adheres to the tooth surface which mainly consists of microorganisms. If plaque is allowed to grow and mature, it causes gingivitis. The plaque hardens if it stays in your gumline which is called calculus. Plaque can be cleaned by regular brushing but for calculus, you should visit for a professional dental cleaning. The effect could get more pronounced by the accumulation of calculus because it further provides the retention of more microorganisms. If gingivitis not treated early may lead to bone loss, mobile teeth, pain, and finally tooth loss.
- Food impaction: Food impaction is the wedging of food between teeth. It causes radiating pain, root causes gingival inflammation and bleeding, bone loss, sensitivity, etc.
- Smoking: Smoking has a greater risk associated with gingivitis and can lower the success rate of treatment. People with smoking habits suffer more from gingivitis than people without smoking.
- Stress: Stress weakens the immunity system and negatively impacts your ability to battle against infection causes gingivitis.
- Poor nutrition: Malnutrition leads to an increased risk of gingivitis. Old age people with malnutrition lead to gingivitis. Vitamin deficiency weakens you and causes anemia. Gingival bleeding is the typical sign of vitamin C deficiency called scurvy.
- Other causes: Chewing tobacco, pregnancy, poor dental restoration, leukemia, AIDS, certain drugs, viral infections, hormonal changes, genetics, mouth breathing habit, tongue thrusting habit, bleeding disorder, toothbrush trauma, etc.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis:
- Inflammation
- Bleeding from gingival while brushing and flossing
- Irritation
- Reddish gingival
- Bad breath
- Sensitive teeth.
Treatment:
Gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene maintenance. Brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing daily at least once a day will keep you off from gingivitis. When symptoms of gingivitis appear, the condition should be addressed immediately. Antibacterial mouthwash also allows, the gingiva to heal.
Professional dental cleaning and follow-up are required for a good prognosis. Damaged dental restoration should be repaired so that plaque accumulation can be prevented. Poorly fitting crown and bridges should be replaced as it may cause periodontal disease. Systemic diseases must be treated with medication. The blood sugar level should be maintained. When bone loss and other periodontal problems occur, flap surgery may be needed. Dental cleaning should be done once in six months.
Author: Dr. M. Jovitta, Pediatric /Preventive Dental Health Expert,
Jerush Dental & Facial Corrective Centre
Click to read Dr. Jovitta’s other blogs: “Why flossing is important” “Brushing Techniques” “Bad breath or Halitosis” “Smoking and Oral Health”, Tooth replacement options for missing teeth” “Dental pain & Root canal Procedure”, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Symptoms and Prevention