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 13sec

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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.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

1min 1sec

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What should I do if my gums are blistering from gingivitis?

When gingivitis results in some blistering, the patient can frequently rinse their mouth. After rinsing, it is appropriate to spray some oral inflammation spray on the gums locally, which can help in anti-inflammatory treatment and repair the blisters. Additionally, the patient can take some anti-inflammatory medications orally to treat the symptoms of gingivitis, which can effectively alleviate the inflammation. Regarding diet, the patient should also pay attention to eating light, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, adjust their lifestyle and drink more water. Locally, it's important to maintain oral hygiene, rinse mouth promptly after meals to remove food residues and prevent bacterial infection, and develop correct brushing habits. Moreover, it is suggested that patients should have their teeth cleaned regularly every year to prevent recurrent attacks of gingivitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

1min 6sec

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The difference between periodontitis and gingivitis.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are distinct conditions, with gingivitis being an early stage of periodontitis. If gingivitis is not treated in time, it can progress into periodontitis. The difference between gingivitis and periodontitis lies in the formation of periodontal pockets. During the stages of gingivitis and periodontitis, periodontal pockets are categorized into true and false pockets. During an outbreak of periodontitis, true periodontal pockets form due to the loss of alveolar bone, whereas the pockets during the gingivitis stage are false pockets, formed by the overgrowth of gum tissue. Once true periodontal pockets are formed, there is either loss or destructive resorption of the alveolar bone. Therefore, the crucial difference between gingivitis and periodontitis lies in whether there is destructive resorption of the alveolar bone, which fundamentally distinguishes the two conditions.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

1min 6sec

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What is the difference between gum swelling and pain due to "heatiness" and gingivitis?

Swollen and painful gums due to "heatiness" is also a type of gingivitis, which encompasses a range of conditions. It is essentially a general term for inflammation of the gums. Therefore, it is recommended that patients should distinguish the cause, as "heatiness" can lead to symptoms like swollen and painful gums. In such cases, patients can clear the "heat" by taking some herbal medicines or teas that reduce "heatiness," drinking more water, and adjusting their diet, which generally can provide quick relief. If a patient has poor oral hygiene, such as a lot of dental plaque or tartar on their teeth, this can continuously irritate the gums and cause chronic gingivitis, leading to pain. The medications used in these cases are generally similar, thus patients do not need to be overly anxious. Appropriate use of drugs like periodontal health supplements or artificial bezoar metronidazole can effectively reduce inflammation and relieve pain. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

48sec

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Is amoxicillin effective for gingivitis?

Gingivitis is primarily caused by the presence of dental plaque on the gums, which is erosive due to the large amount of bacteria. Taking oral amoxicillin, an antimicrobial drug, does not show a very obvious effect. One reason is that the gum tissue is relatively tough, and the concentration of the drug in the gum tissue when administered systemically is not sufficient to provide the expected therapeutic effect. Another reason is that oral bacteria, mostly anaerobic bacteria, cause this condition, and general anti-inflammatory drugs do not work well. The best method to treat gingivitis is still dental cleaning, which can directly remove the bacteria on the gums, clearly affecting the treatment. Subgingival scaling is also effective, which can lead to better outcomes.