^

Health

A
A
A

Gum diseases and their treatment

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Gum disease, according to international statistics, most often affects people over the age of thirty-five years. In the early stages of the disease, pain may be absent or mild. In older people (starting from forty-five years old), gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss.

To diseases of the gums are periodontitis, periodontitis and gingivitis. With parodontitis, the inflammation develops in the peritoneal tissues, affecting the alveolar processes and accompanied by the formation of plaque and calculus on the teeth and dentition pockets, the release of purulent masses and the displacement of teeth, if the disease has passed into a serious stage. The more neglected the disease, the heavier its consequences and the more difficult the treatment.

With parodontosis there is a small amount of dental deposits, bare teeth without formation of dentition pockets and signs of inflammation, the appearance of wedge-like defects. Teeth become excessively sensitive, itching appears in the gums. Loosening of the teeth can occur only with the development of a severe form of periodontitis when the tooth root is barely half and more.

Gingivitis develops due to the accumulation of microorganisms as a result of non-compliance with the norms of oral hygiene. The emergence of gingivitis can also be associated with the wrong technique of orthodontic treatment, which in combination with inappropriate care of teeth and gums provokes the development of pathogens, which in turn leads to the development of the inflammatory process.

What is the name of gum disease?

If the first symptoms of gum disease occur, you should immediately seek help from a dentist. Based on the general examination and the existing symptoms, the dentist will be able to clarify the diagnosis and advise you on what is called gum disease, what measures should be taken to treat it and how to prevent the development of the disease in the future.

The first signs of various gum diseases may be similar, therefore it is extremely important to address the doctor at an early stage of the disease development in order to avoid adverse consequences in the future.

To diseases of gums carry gingivitis, parodontosis and periodontitis. When complications develop, gingivitis can take a more severe form and go into periodontitis, which is much more difficult to treat, especially in later stages of the disease. Gum disease in its turn have different forms, and only a qualified doctor can differentiate them. With parodontitis, the periodontal tissues develop inflammation, periodontal pockets are formed, pus is released, and then the tooth root can be exposed.

Causes of gum disease

The causes of gum disease are quite diverse, and it is possible to establish what exactly triggered this or that pathology of gums in each specific case only when conducting the diagnosis and submitting all necessary analyzes.

Factors that can provoke gum disease, in addition to violation of oral hygiene standards, include the abuse of nicotine, the formation of tartar, lack of vitamins in the body, disruption of the immune system, pregnancy, associated system pathologies (diabetes, acute respiratory infections, sore throat, ), an incorrect bite, poor-quality filling of teeth, etc. To the reasons for the appearance of such a gum disease, as parodontosis, also include a genetic predisposition, chronic diseases morning organs, poor blood supply to the gums. To the most frequent reasons causing such a pathology of gums, as gingivitis, include the formation of calculus, tobacco smoking, chemical irritation, the accumulation of bacteria, caries.

The causes of periodontitis are divided into general and local. The first include such pathologies as diabetes, immunodeficiency states, chronic diseases. Local causes are associated with penetration into the mouth of microbes, traumatization of teeth, malocclusion.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3]

Symptoms of gum disease

Symptoms of gum disease vary depending on the form and type of the disease and can include the following symptoms:

  • The appearance of pain in the gums;
  • Bleeding gums;
  • Swelling and redness of the gums;
  • Unpleasant odor from the mouth;
  • Formation of pathological dentition pockets;
  • Purulent discharge;
  • Hypersensitivity of gums;
  • Loosening of the teeth;
  • Accumulation on the teeth plaque or stone;
  • Disturbances of taste.

With periodontal disease, the asymptomatic course of the disease is possible in the early stages. The appearance of pathological dentogingival pockets and the excretion of pus from them are characteristic for such a gum disease as periodontitis. In this case, the size of pathological pockets can vary from small to very large, depending on the stage of the disease (light, medium or heavy). With exacerbation in the gums, painful pulsation can occur, the temperature rises, general weakness, severe swelling of the gums and the secretion of pus are noted.

Symptoms of acute gingivitis include redness and swelling of the gums, the formation of a plaque on the teeth of a soft or hard consistency. In the process of cleaning teeth gums can become inflamed and bleed. In chronic forms of the disease, in addition to redness of the gums, there is a sloughing of their upper layer. With the development of hyperplastic gingivitis, the gingiva acquires a bluish-red hue, an unpleasant odor arises from the oral cavity, pseudo-pathological pockets are formed, pus is released. When the ulcerative form of gingivitis in the mouth there is severe itching, ulcers are formed on the gums.

Symptoms of gum disease in the early stages may include the appearance of traces of blood when cleaning teeth or biting solid foods, the emergence of bad breath from the mouth, the deposition of a stone or plaque on the teeth.

Gum disease in adults

Gum disease in adults most often occur as a result of impaired oral hygiene, formation of dental plaque and the development of pathogens. All these factors can lead to the development of such pathologies as periodontitis, periodontitis and gingivitis. Also, these diseases can be caused by bite defects, curvature or traumatization of teeth, poor-quality filling or prosthetics.

To the development of gum disease in adults can also lead to various systemic disorders, infectious or chronic pathologies. According to statistics, most people over the age of thirty-five years old face gum disease.

Gum disease in children

The most common diseases of gums in children are associated with the development of gingivitis. With this disease in the gums, an inflammatory process occurs due to poor oral hygiene and bacterial reproduction. Timely and qualified treatment will help prevent the transition of the disease to a more complex form - periodontitis, the consequences of which can be quite serious.

The first step in the treatment of gum disease in a child should be a visit to the dentist. Further on the basis of the general symptomatology, the appropriate treatment will be prescribed: the doctor will carry out a professional cleaning of teeth from plaque, treat the oral cavity with antiseptics, prescribe vitamin and antibacterial drugs, give recommendations on the choice of toothpaste and proper care for teeth and gums.

Gum disease during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the woman undergoes hormonal changes in the body, as a result of which the blood supply of the mucous membranes decreases significantly and, as a result, the inflammation may develop in the gums. They become swollen and painful, they begin to bleed, a soft plaque forms on the teeth, an unpleasant smell is felt from the mouth. Such signs may indicate the development of gingivitis. To delay with a visit to the dentist is in no case impossible, because the disease can go into a more severe form and cause the development of complications.

To treat gingivitis in pregnant women, remove plaque and stone, use anti-inflammatory drugs. Cleaning of teeth from plaque can be carried out by mechanical or ultrasonic means. As a local treatment, the patient can be prescribed mouthwashes and rinses. Anti-inflammatory drugs are selected individually by the attending physician, taking into account the general symptoms of the disease and recommendations for use during pregnancy.

It is extremely important to have gum disease during pregnancy to be cured at an early stage and prevent the development of complications. At the first alarming symptoms a pregnant woman needs to visit a doctor without delay.

Diseases of the teeth and gums

Diseases of the teeth and gums occur due to various causes and can be closely related to each other or develop independently of each other.

The most common tooth disease is caries, in the process of development of which destruction of hard tooth tissues occurs, destruction of enamel. The causes of this pathology include violations of oral hygiene, the accumulation of bacteria and plaque formation. When the form of the disease is started, caries can cause pulpitis, which marks shooting pain in the area of the affected tooth, often increasing at night. Pain can irradiate into the jaw, facial part, arise suddenly and be accompanied by painful pulsation. To the development of pulpitis can also lead to tooth trauma.

Gum disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, with the development of severe forms and complications can cause loosening of the teeth, which can subsequently lead to their complete loss.

To prevent such severe consequences, gum disease should be treated early, it is also important to maintain oral hygiene, to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and the formation of tartar and plaque.

trusted-source[4], [5]

Gum disease and their treatment

Periodontitis, periodontitis and gingivitis are quite serious gum disease and their treatment should be started when the first signs of the disease appear: redness and swelling of the gums, bleeding, bad breath, the occurrence of dental plaque.

Treatment of gum disease begins with the elimination of dental plaque, dental cleaning of teeth, treatment of the oral cavity with antiseptic. Treatment of gum disease can be conservative or surgical. When parodontitis, depending on the size of the formed pathological pockets, the procedure of curettage (closed or open), patchwork operations is performed. With uncomplicated forms of this disease, it may be sufficient to flush the dental pockets and eliminate plaque, which helps to relieve inflammation.

The treatment of periodontal disease is also accompanied by the elimination of dental deposits and the cleansing of the oral cavity from pathogens. If the conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery is performed.

Treatment of gingivitis can also be operative or conservative depending on the stage and form of the disease. Conservative methods of treatment of gingivitis include profhygiena of the oral cavity, the use of drugs to remove the inflammatory process, the elimination of deposits on the teeth, disinfecting the oral cavity. For this purpose, chlorhexidine is most often used. If there is an overhanging of the edges of the filling material, they must be removed. For violations of bite, orthodontic therapy is performed. As part of the complex treatment of gum disease, the patient is recommended to quit smoking, it is also necessary to regularly use curative and preventive toothpaste and brush his teeth at least twice a day in accordance with the recommendations of the dentist for the proper care of teeth and gums. Surgical treatment of gingivitis is aimed at eliminating false-papodontal pockets. With prolonged course of the disease, it is possible to use antibacterial and analgesic drugs.

How to treat gum disease?

The most effective treatment of gum disease is achieved in the early stages of the disease. From when and how to treat gum disease, the preservation of dental health can subsequently depend, so the slightest signs of the development of any pathology in the gums require a visit to the dental clinic and the consultation of an experienced doctor.

As a rule, treatment of gum disease begins with professional cleaning of teeth and removal of plaque, cleaning the oral cavity of accumulated bacteria. Further, the tactics of treatment are selected depending on the diagnosis and may include conservative or surgical methods.

Treatment of gingival diseases by alternative means

Alternative agents can be used as part of complex therapy for gum disease as an auxiliary treatment.

Treatment of gum disease by alternative means can consist of rinsing the oral cavity or rubbing the gums with a gauze pad impregnated with vegetable ointment. To prepare the rinse aid, propolis, insisted on alcohol, can be used, with the addition of dried roots of ayr and mint (two liters of 30% alcohol plus one hundred grams of calamus roots and propolis of large sizes). Use tincture should be after each meal and brushing your teeth for two to three weeks. This tool helps to get rid of bleeding, relieve pain, strengthen tooth enamel.

To wipe gums, you can use fir oil. To do this, for one hundred grams of water, you need to add three to four drops of fir oil, soak a gauze swab in the resulting solution and rub the gums two to three minutes twice a day. Before using any alternative medicine, be sure to consult with your dentist and make sure that there are no allergic reactions.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.