Gingivitis


Can gingivitis heal on its own?
Generally, when suffering from gingivitis, if the patient does not take some corresponding measures, recovery is generally difficult, requires a longer time, and the chances of full recovery are relatively small. Therefore, when suffering from gingivitis, it is essential for patients to take appropriate measures to aid the recovery of gingivitis. Special attention should be paid to oral hygiene, making sure to rinse the mouth in time after meals, brush teeth morning and evening, and possibly get regular dental cleanings, which can effectively remove dental plaque and calculus, alleviating gum irritation. Additionally, patients should pay attention to their daily diet and lifestyle; avoid overeating and abstaining from spicy, irritating foods, as well as frequent smoking, drinking alcohol, and staying up late. Moreover, when suffering from gingivitis, patients can appropriately take some anti-inflammatory medications, which can effectively aid in the recovery of gingivitis.


What should I do if gingivitis causes facial swelling?
Some patients with severe gum swelling and pain may also experience inflammation and pain in nearby soft tissues, such as facial swelling and pain, which are also common. In such cases, patients can take some anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications for treatment, which can effectively relieve the symptoms of gum swelling and pain. If the gum swelling and pain are alleviated, the facial swelling will also subside, so it is recommended that patients treat it with medications in a timely manner. Additionally, it is essential for patients to maintain oral hygiene, develop correct brushing habits, have regular dental cleanings, pay attention to the method of brushing, and persist in brushing their teeth morning and night, spending three to five minutes each time. Furthermore, patients can appropriately supplement some nutrients to help boost their immunity.


Why does gingivitis cause the gaps between teeth to become bigger?
If the patient has gingivitis, prolonged gingivitis is subject to chronic inflammatory stimulation, which can lead to the atrophy of gum tissue and is harmful to the health of the gum tissue. When gum tissue begins to atrophy, gaps between teeth may become larger. Therefore, it is advised for patients to maintain good oral hygiene daily to prevent chronic gingivitis from adversely affecting oral health. Furthermore, if gaps between teeth enlarge, prolonged development may lead to tooth loosening or loss. Hence, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene, rinse their mouth promptly after meals to remove food debris, and regularly get their teeth cleaned to remove tartar and plaque, which is beneficial for oral health.


Why Gingivitis Always Persists
The treatment of gingivitis first requires patients to pay attention to adjusting their diet and lifestyle, as gingivitis is greatly related to the dietary habits of the patient. Patients who do not pay attention to oral hygiene over a long period and indulge excessively in eating and drinking, often consuming barbecued or fried foods, are likely to experience issues such as increased heat in the body or a reduction in immune resistance, depleting some of the body’s energy. Therefore, it is recommended that patients maintain a light diet, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, drink more water appropriately, and ensure adequate rest, avoiding staying up late. Additionally, patients should initially undertake treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, often involving anti-anaerobic or antibiotic drugs, which can effectively treat gingivitis. Additionally, patients can also routinely get their teeth cleaned in daily life, which can effectively relieve the symptoms of gingivitis.


How to treat gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis and periodontitis are both phenomena of periodontal diseases. Gingivitis is the initial stage of periodontitis, with the earliest phase typically being common gingivitis. If gingivitis is not well controlled, it can further develop into periodontitis. However, once periodontitis occurs, there is definitely inflammation of the gums. In the development of both gingivitis and periodontitis, dental plaque and tartar generally play a major role. When gingivitis occurs, the lesions are generally limited to the gum tissue, and at this time, the course of the disease is relatively milder. If gingivitis is not cured and develops into periodontitis, it will not only damage the gums but also the alveolar bone, and other periodontal tissues will also be destroyed. Therefore, it is advised that patients with gingivitis should take timely treatment measures.


If gingivitis becomes severe, to what extent will it reach?
When gingivitis occurs, if the inflammation is not controlled in time, severe cases may lead to purulent infections. Also, long-term chronic inflammation can cause the gingival tissue to shrink. As it progresses, this shrinkage may no longer adequately cover the roots of the teeth, leading to loose teeth, and in more severe cases, tooth loss. Therefore, when patients have gingivitis, they can undergo timely treatment, taking anti-inflammatory drugs orally for treatment. Additionally, diet and lifestyle are also important. It is vital to develop correct oral hygiene habits, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and eat more light foods rich in vitamins and vegetables to aid the nutritional repair of soft tissues.


What will happen if gingivitis is not treated?
When a patient has gingivitis, if they cannot receive timely treatment, they may experience long-term inflammation that irritates the gum tissue, leading to nutrient loss in the gums and eventual gum recession. Further progression can lead to loose teeth, and ultimately, tooth loss. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with gingivitis to seek prompt treatment. Additionally, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene, as long-term poor oral hygiene is a major cause of gingivitis. It is important to promptly remove food residues after meals to prevent bacterial infections. Furthermore, developing correct brushing habits in the morning and evening is recommended, and patients should consider regular dental cleanings, which can effectively remove tartar and plaque, reducing irritation to the gums.


Is suppurative gingivitis serious?
Purulent gingivitis is a further development of common gingivitis. If common gingivitis only causes some congestion, swelling, sensitivity, or pain in the gums, it may lead to the formation of pus in the gum tissues if not treated timely. Patients are advised to seek treatment early in such cases. If the progression of gingivitis is not controlled in time, it may lead to periodontitis, damage to the tooth root tissues, and some alveolar bone. Therefore, it is advised that patients seek immediate medical attention when experiencing purulent gingivitis, as it is a severe condition. Treatment usually involves localized anti-inflammatory and purulent management at a standard dental hospital. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a light diet, ensure oral hygiene, and develop proper brushing habits.


Why does gingivitis bleed at night?
Patients with gingivitis often experience gum bleeding. However, this bleeding mainly occurs during morning tooth brushing, but it can also occur at night, though the timing is unpredictable. Patients with gingivitis should be cautious about their diet and avoid hard or overly spicy foods. Since gingivitis is a chronic inflammation, it can cause trauma during tooth brushing or chewing, leading to bleeding of the gum tissues. Therefore, it is advised that patients brush gently if they have gingivitis, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and maintaining a mild diet. Additionally, patients should focus on oral hygiene and develop proper oral health habits, including brushing their teeth both morning and night.


How to treat severe gingivitis?
Gingivitis is relatively common in daily life, mainly due to poor oral hygiene, dental calculus, plaque, food residues, and soft tartar, which irritate the gums, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. If severe, it can lead to gum recession, absorption of the alveolar bone, and loosening or loss of teeth. For severe gingivitis, initial treatment involves supragingival cleaning followed by subgingival scaling and root planing. If individual teeth continue to experience recurring swelling and pain after scaling, surgical treatment such as gingival flap surgery may be performed. This involves cutting open the gums to thoroughly remove calculus, plaque, food residues, and soft tartar, which can subsequently improve tooth mobility. In cases where teeth cannot be preserved and need to be extracted, severe gingivitis can also lead to the formation of gum abscesses. In such cases, oral cephalexin can be taken, and using a compound chlorhexidine mouthwash can help alleviate the condition and reduce pain.