Gingivitis Treatment

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum inflammation accompanied by swelling, redness, and bleeding. Without timely treatment, gingivitis can be complicated by infection or progress to more serious conditions that threaten tooth loss due to weakening of the connection between the teeth and surrounding tissues. Porcelain dental clinic in Kyiv offers diagnosis, gingivitis treatment, and prevention of its complications.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

Gingivitis presents with the following symptoms:

• - redness and swelling of the gums;
• - bleeding when brushing or eating;
• - increased sensitivity of the gums to temperature changes and touch;
• - bad breath (halitosis).

Even if gingivitis does not cause noticeable discomfort, it is best not to delay seeing a doctor to avoid complications.

An acute onset of the inflammatory process with fever, swollen lymph nodes, general malaise, sharp pain, pronounced gum redness, and intense salivation may be signs of a specific form — acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. It is caused by an abnormally rapid multiplication of opportunistic bacteria, progresses rapidly, and leads to necrosis of the interdental papillae. If such symptoms appear, medical attention must be sought immediately.

Classification of Gingivitis

By course characteristics, gingivitis can be acute or chronic:

• - acute gingivitis presents with pronounced symptoms;
• - chronic gingivitis may persist for a long time without noticeable symptoms; outside of exacerbations it causes no significant discomfort, and is sometimes discovered incidentally by a dentist during a routine examination. During periodic exacerbations, symptoms resemble those of acute gingivitis.

Main clinical forms of gingivitis:

• - catarrhal — the most common form, with swelling and moderate gum bleeding;
• - hypertrophic (hyperplastic) — with overgrowth of gum tissue that begins to cover the crown of the tooth;
• - atrophic — conversely, accompanied by reduction in gum volume, recession, and exposure of the tooth necks;
• - desquamative — with intense redness and peeling of the upper layer of the gum mucosa;
• - ulcerative — with the formation of ulcers causing intense bleeding and pain.

Causes and Risk Factors of Gingivitis

The primary cause of gingivitis is the formation of deposits on the tooth surface (plaque, tartar) that irritate the gums and provide a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria that trigger inflammation.

Other, less common causes:

• - viral and fungal infections (herpes, candidiasis);
• - disorders of the hematopoietic and circulatory systems, leukemia.

Additional risk factors for gingivitis:

• - hormonal changes — puberty (possible development of hypertrophic gingivitis), pregnancy, menopause (a risk factor for desquamative gingivitis);
• - malocclusion;
• - impaired nasal breathing;
• - irritation or trauma to the gums caused by fillings, dentures, or orthodontic appliances;
• - other types of oral mucosa injuries;
• - poor nutrition, vitamin C deficiency;
• - diabetes mellitus;
• - heavy metal intoxication;
• - the effects of certain medications;
• - smoking;
• - reduced immunity due to infectious diseases, immunodeficiency conditions;
• - stress, depression;
• - systemic diseases accompanied by changes in saliva composition.

Diagnosis of Gingivitis at a Dental Clinic

Key components of gingivitis diagnosis:

• - Oral examination — the dentist assesses the color and density of the gums, their position, tissue volume, and the presence of tartar.
• - Measuring the depth of the gap between the gums and tooth using a thin probe. The formation of periodontal pockets deeper than 3 mm is a sign of periodontitis, not gingivitis.
• - If probing results indicate periodontitis, the doctor additionally orders an X-ray to assess the degree of alveolar bone destruction.

It is impossible to distinguish gingivitis from mild periodontitis at home — the set of external signs and subjective symptoms is practically identical.

Gingivitis Treatment in Adults

Main treatment methods for gingivitis:

• - tartar removal (when it is the primary cause of inflammation);
• - for infectious gingivitis — local symptomatic and etiotropic therapy (rinses, ointment applications, lozenge absorption);
• - for the hypertrophic form — excision of excess tissue under local anesthesia;
• - additionally — local therapy aimed at preventing secondary infection (antiseptics) and accelerating tissue regeneration;
• - when indicated (pronounced swelling, pain syndrome, bacterial complications) — systemic therapy with antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial drugs, and hormonal therapy (if gingivitis is related to hormonal changes).

The duration and cost of treatment depend on the form. A course of treatment for acute catarrhal gingivitis usually lasts 1–2 weeks; for other forms, chronic cases, or complications, significantly longer treatment may be required.

Gingivitis Treatment During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur that serve as an additional risk factor for gingivitis. The situation is worsened if the woman does not brush her teeth thoroughly enough due to toxicosis and nausea. Postponing treatment until after delivery is not advisable, as gingivitis will progress and negatively affect the fetus. The main safe treatment methods for gingivitis in pregnant women are professional teeth cleaning (deposit removal) and oral rinsing. The doctor also develops individual oral hygiene recommendations to help avoid worsening nausea during tooth brushing.

Should Gingivitis Be Treated at Home?

Thorough oral hygiene at home is an essential component of gingivitis treatment. After professional treatment at a dental clinic, rinses, mouth baths, and ointment applications are also recommended — these help reduce inflammation and accelerate the restoration of normal gum structure. However, these measures only complement tartar removal or surgical treatment indicated for some forms of gingivitis; they do not replace them. In rare cases where gingivitis is caused not by dental deposits but by a herpesvirus or fungal infection, home treatment may be possible, but a doctor must first be consulted for an accurate diagnosis.

Self-treatment is not acceptable when fever develops or ulcers form on the oral mucosa — without timely qualified assistance, dangerous complications may develop.

Prevention of Gingivitis

The main component of gingivitis prevention is thorough oral hygiene and prevention of hard deposit formation:

• - brush teeth twice a day until all surfaces feel smooth;
• - use vertical brushing motions from the gums to the tip of the tooth, cleaning all tooth surfaces;
• - clean interdental spaces using interdental brushes, floss, or an oral irrigator;
• - have professional teeth cleaning at a dental clinic at least twice a year.

It is also recommended to:

• - strengthen the immune system;
• - protect oral tissues from damage;
• - undergo bite correction when indicated;
• - if fillings, dentures, braces, or other appliances irritate the gums, consult a dentist;
• - quit smoking;
• - maintain a balanced diet and enrich it with vitamin C;
• - consult an endocrinologist (or gynecologist) promptly at signs of hormonal imbalance.