The difference between pericoronitis and gingivitis.

Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

Updated on September 26, 2024

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Pericoronitis and gingivitis are common oral diseases. Pericoronitis refers to inflammation around the crown adjacent to a wisdom tooth, characterized by congestion, swelling, and pain in the periodontal tissues of the pericoronal flap, typically caused by food debris around the crown, leading to bacterial infection. This condition often occurs during the eruption of wisdom teeth, especially when the wisdom teeth are misaligned. Pericoronitis is also a manifestation of periodontitis, while gingivitis is caused by bacterial infection of the gingival tissues resulting in congestion and edema. If gingivitis progresses, it can also develop into periodontitis, leading to serious consequences such as loosening and loss of teeth.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

1min

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Should gingivitis be treated with hot compresses or cold compresses?

When patients experience gingivitis, this condition is generally related to inflammation within the body, a prolonged habit of poor diet leading to decreased immune function, resulting in inflammation of the gums. When gingivitis occurs, since it involves inflammation, it is generally recommended to apply cold compresses to relieve the pain somewhat; one should definitely not apply hot compresses as they might increase the local inflammation. It is advised that patients undergo appropriate medical treatment. They can take some anti-inflammatory drugs orally, such as Metronidazole or Tinidazole, or a combination with antibiotic anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is severe, one can also use antipyretic analgesics to alleviate local tooth pain. Most importantly, patients should develop good dietary and lifestyle habits.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

46sec

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What should I do if I have gingivitis?

Gingivitis is characterized by symptoms such as bleeding while eating or brushing teeth. Sometimes, bloodstains may be found on the pillow upon waking up, which are also signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis can sometimes cause pain while eating, necessitating timely and thorough treatment, which includes both initial and maintenance phases. The initial treatment involves removing irritants around the teeth, including tartar, dental plaque, or soft deposits around the gums, followed by medicated rinsing. After controlling gingivitis, it is necessary to enter a regular maintenance phase with check-ups every six months, and any existing tartar should be promptly removed.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

56sec

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Can hydrogen peroxide be used as a mouthwash for gingivitis?

Gingivitis can be treated with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, as hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid with an irritating odor, and medically, it is commonly used for disinfecting wounds and otitis media. When the skin is infected or there are wounds and pus or contamination in the oral mucosa, 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used for disinfection, as it can destroy the bodies of bacteria and kill them. During oral treatment, such as some root canal treatments, hydrogen peroxide can be used for rinsing because most oral infections originate from anaerobic bacteria, and hydrogen peroxide has a strong bactericidal effect. However, as hydrogen peroxide is a topical medication, care should be taken not to swallow it while using it for mouthwash.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

53sec

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Can gingivitis be detected by taking an X-ray?

Gingivitis is some inflammatory changes in the gum tissue, which cannot be seen on an X-ray. Generally, an X-ray can reveal some changes in the anatomical structure of the teeth. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with gingivitis should seek diagnosis at a formal dental hospital. Treatment should be targeted based on the specific symptoms of the gums and should not be limited to other tests. A comprehensive consideration of multiple examinations can potentially enhance the repair of the teeth. For general gingivitis, it is appropriate to take some anti-inflammatory medication orally. In terms of diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and refrain from consuming foods that are too cold, too hot, or too hard, as these may irritate the gums.

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Written by Fang Xiao

Dentistry

1min 15sec

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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.