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
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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 Bao Hua
Dentistry
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The difference between periodontitis and gingivitis

Periodontitis and gingivitis have essential differences. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis involve the formation of periodontal pockets, but the pockets in gingivitis are pseudo pockets, caused by inflammation of the gums which leads to the local proliferation or swelling of the gums, enveloping part of the tooth crown. In contrast, the periodontal pockets in periodontitis are true pockets, caused by the resorption of the alveolar bone, a condition that accompanies the loss of alveolar bone. Therefore, the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis lies in whether there is bone loss or not.

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Written by Li Cui
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Can I eat mutton with gingivitis?

When patients have gingivitis, it is generally advised not to eat lamb. Because lamb is considered a heat-inducing food, and the inflammation in the patient's body is often caused by excessive internal heat. Eating lamb in such cases could potentially exacerbate the condition, making the symptoms more severe. It is suggested that patients can eat some chicken, duck, or fish instead, as these high-quality protein sources are good choices for the body. Additionally, it is important to keep the diet light and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Try to avoid foods that can cause internal heat, such as lychee or durian, which are considered heat-inducing fruits. It's appropriate to consume some kiwi and dragon fruit, which can provide a substantial amount of vitamins and also help in the repair of teeth.

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Dentistry
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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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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.