What Is Gingivitis & Other Forms Of Gum Disease?

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. Gum disease involves the build-up of bacteria and plaque on the teeth, leading to infection. The disease is marked by soreness, inflammation, and infection of the tissue that supports the teeth. While gingivitis refers to the beginning stage of the disease, it gradually develops into periodontitis.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

Interestingly, the symptoms are not always noticeable in the early stages. Many people may already have it and yet not know about it. If you experience the following problems, you should pay a visit to a dentist:

A periodontist is the specialized dentist in treating this condition.

Causes of Gingivitis

At its basic level, gingivitis develops when plaque builds up on your teeth when the bacteria are not removed through effective oral hygiene practices. Gradually, inflammation and infection occur, leading to gum disease.

Some of the common factors that further increase the chances of developing gum disease are as follows:

I. Poor oral hygiene

Maintaining a proper and regular oral hygiene routine is one of the simplest ways to prevent gingivitis. This routine includes:

II. Nutritional deficiency

A long-standing deficiency in certain nutrients can also create the perfect conditions for gum disease. The key involved nutrients include:

III. Tobacco usage

Studies also clearly demonstrate the higher chances of smokers developing gum disease. Tobacco, whether chewed or smoked, should be avoided in every way possible to reduce the chances of developing this disease. The use of tobacco by gum disease patients can also make it difficult to treat the condition, as tobacco tends to affect your immune system.

IV. Hereditary

If you have a family history of gingivitis, your chances of developing its symptoms can increase. The additional sub-factors can prove to be contributing factors:

Some of the other contributing factors to your increased chances of gingivitis include hormonal changes in females, prescription medicines, and aging.

Types of Gum Disease

There are other more advanced forms of gum disease. It is best to know about these conditions so that you can seek timely dental care. These include:

Periodontitis

This is an advanced form of gum disease. Besides the gum tissue, it affects the teeth, gum line, and the jawbone. It can lead to tooth loss and even jawbone deterioration. Common symptoms include:

Aggressive Periodontitis

This condition involves the fast progression of periodontitis. It can cause damage to the following structures:

Gingival ligaments are responsible for holding the teeth in place.

Chronic Periodontitis

This stage involves inflammation in the gingival tissues supporting the teeth. Chronic periodontitis can also lead to bone loss. It is highly common and involves gum recession and the formation of gingival pockets. It causes deterioration at a slow pace.

Systemic Periodontitis

When your gum disease has developed due to other conditions known as systemic diseases, you have systemic periodontitis. These conditions include heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease.

This type of periodontitis can further develop into necrotizing periodontal disease when associated with conditions such as HIV, malnutrition, and immunosuppression. It involves the death of living tissue, including:

So, when you suffer from long-standing gingivitis, it can transform into periodontitis. There are various types of periodontal disease that impact the tissues, teeth, and jawbone. With the worsening of the disease, the bone holding the tooth can be lost, causing tooth loss.

If you notice any signs of gingivitis, it is important to seek immediate dental treatment. When looking for an experienced periodontist, you can trust Centre Dentaire Olympique. We bring forth over three decades of experience in our field, providing complete peace of mind to our patients and their loved ones.