Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a condition where there is inflammation and bleeding of the gums. It belongs to the group of the periodontal diseases and encompasses the gum around the neck of the teeth.
The main reason for the development of gingivitis is deterioration of oral hygiene and improper and irregular brushing. Additional factors for the development of gingivitis can be teeth located in the wrong position (stacked or offset/pushed), trauma of the gum, untreated caries, orthodontic treatment, improperly made prosthetic devices, etc. Gingivitis caused by dental plaque and tartar is a disease that practically everyone has had at some point in their lives. It occurs commonly in children starting puberty. The plaque and tartar accumulate the most on the border between the tooth and gum, and as it is known, if not cleaned, it contains bacteria that can cause tooth caries that lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).
Gingivitis is reddening of the gum at the border with the tooth which resembles garland. There is also swelling of the gum, but no pain. When touched with a dental probe or toothbrush, there could be slight bleeding, so people who have gingivitis can have blood in their saliva. During puberty or during pregnancy there may occur inflammation (growth) of separate gum papillae due to hormonal changes. The teeth could be painful and may bleed when biting food or during brushing them. Gingivitis as a separate illness can be treated to a full recovery. However if left untreated, it may lead to the development of periodontitis, which is a condition with severe consequences, leading to loosening of the teeth.
The treatment of gingivitis is very easy and requires improvement of the oral hygiene and brushing of the teeth, which will lead to effective and regular removal of the plaque. Regular cleaning of tartar may be applied and gargle with antiseptic solutions or mouthwashes as prescribed by a dentist is also important.