What is Gingivitis? Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease caused due to the buildup of plaque and bacteria. This plaque develops around the base of your teeth right near your gum line. This plaque build up, if not treated, causes gum inflammation and bleeding. This can further lead to an advanced stage; periodontitis.. While good oral health and regular visits to the dentist helps, knowing signs and symptoms can help you identify and prevent gingivitis from turning severe.
Do you bleed every time you brush your teeth? Or do you have swollen and tender gums? If yes, then it could be a sign of gingivitis. When you fail to follow good oral hygiene, bacteria reacts on the left over debris and results in plaque build up. When left untreated plaque starts infecting the gums. As a result, your gums may start swelling and bleeding. You may also experience teeth sensitivity and the grip of the gums over your teeth may also loosen. If you have come across such signs, then you need to take required measures to avoid any further damage.
When the gums are infected by the plaque build up, it affects your teeth as well. The infected gums loosen the grip over the teeth and create a pocket-like space between the teeth and the gums. The food that you eat gets stuck in these pockets, and if not cleaned thoroughly, food residuals can lead to more bacteria build up causing cavities. In such cases, the problem starts with a toothache and may end with tooth loss. If you identify a gap between your teeth and your gums, you should visit a dentist immediately.
Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, can also be a sign of gingivitis. Poor oral hygiene and a dry mouth usually results in bad breath. If you don’t keep your mouth hydrated and follow a proper oral care routine, you allow odor-causing bacteria to build up. This in turn leads to plaque and cavities, which eventually causes gingivitis. If bad breath has been persistent, then you should visit a dentist.
While ulcers in the mouth are common, ulcers on the gums can be a cause of concern. One of the reasons for ulcers appearing on your gums can be due to gingivitis. These ulcers can occur at the base of your gums or between the pocket-like gap, which is usually created when your gums lose the grip on your teeth. Typically, pus forms between the tooth and gums and swells into an ulcer. If you feel pain and see a pus filled ulcer, then you should visit a dentist immediately.
While these symptoms do indicate gingivitis, they may also signify other dental conditions. To make sure your teeth are not exposed to some serious infection and disease, you should consult a dentist. They can look into your dental problems and suggest further measures.