Why does gingivitis cause the gaps between teeth to become bigger?

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on January 30, 2025
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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.

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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
Dentistry
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Where is it effective to massage for gingivitis treatment?

When the patient experiences gingivitis pain, if they want to treat and alleviate it through traditional Chinese medicine massage, the simplest method is to massage the Hegu acupoint on the hand. Additionally, massaging the Xiaguan acupoint can also play a role in alleviation. It is advised that if the patient experiences severe pain and acute inflammation of the gums, they should first maintain a light diet and drink more water for conditioning. If there is no improvement, oral anti-inflammatory drugs such as artificial bezoar metronidazole can be taken. This can be combined with some antibiotic anti-inflammatory drugs, such as amoxicillin, levofloxacin hydrochloride, or other drugs like roxithromycin, all of which can have anti-inflammatory effects and relieve pain. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What should I do about recurrent gingivitis?

Gingivitis is caused by not cleaning the mouth promptly after eating, with the presence of irritating factors around the teeth causing repeated outbreaks. For example, bleeding during brushing or eating. This situation requires teeth cleaning, which includes ultrasonic scaling to remove dental calculus and other basic causative factors. Only by removing the irritating factors and treating the cause, applying medicine around the gums and improving the bleeding condition, can the symptoms of gingivitis improve. If oral hygiene is not maintained after removal, over time, dental calculus or dental plaque can reattach around the teeth, leading to a recurrence of gingivitis.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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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 Cui
Dentistry
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Is it serious if gingivitis persists and doesn't improve?

When suffering from gingivitis, it is still recommended that patients receive proactive treatment. If gingivitis does not improve, it may develop into chronic gingivitis, leading to further progression of conditions such as periodontitis and root inflammation, and potentially resulting in the formation of gingival fistulas. Therefore, it is advised that patients treat the condition properly. When suffering from gingivitis, it is appropriate to take some oral medications for anti-inflammatory treatment. Additionally, dietary habits play a crucial role. For example, it is important for patients to eat a light diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods. It is essential to rinse the mouth after meals to promptly remove food residues. Regular dental cleaning can effectively remove tartar and dental plaque, which plays a vital role in oral care.