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Gingivitis
What will happen if gingivitis lasts for a long time?
Gingivitis has a high incidence rate, and the initial symptoms are not obvious, which many people overlook. Gingivitis is caused by the presence of a large amount of dental plaque and tartar on the gums. Long-term bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums, resulting in swollen and painful gums. Severe cases may often experience bleeding gums. If not treated promptly, the inflammation can further develop into periodontal inflammation, causing periodontal atrophy. This leads to insufficient periodontal protection around the tooth roots, bleeding, loose teeth, and tooth loss, severely affecting health. Therefore, it is essential to treat gingivitis promptly and pay more attention to oral hygiene to maintain healthy teeth.
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.
The difference between pericoronitis and gingivitis.
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.
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.
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.)
Can gingivitis heal itself?
Gingivitis is difficult to heal on its own and requires corresponding treatment. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue, characterized by redness of the gums, swelling, pus leakage, or bleeding during brushing and eating, with bleeding during brushing being a common symptom that often prompts timely medical attention. Examination of the teeth can reveal a large amount of dental plaque, tartar, or biofilm around the gum area. In such cases, timely dental cleaning is necessary to remove these deposits. During the removal process, bleeding from the gums may worsen, and it may be necessary to apply medication around the gums, using anti-inflammatory drugs to help alleviate the inflammation. If the inflammation is controlled, gingivitis may be managed, but without treatment, gingivitis cannot heal by itself.
Can gingivitis and bad breath be completely cured?
Halitosis, or bad breath, refers to odors emitted from the mouth or other air-filled cavities such as the nasal cavities, sinuses, and throat, which can significantly impact social interactions. It is advised that patients experiencing gum bleeding or bad breath visit a hospital for dental cleaning, which may include polishing and scaling to effectively remove dental plaque, tartar, and debris, thus eliminating most bacteria. For severe cases of bad breath, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at a hospital under the guidance of a doctor, as it is generally treatable. Patients are advised not to be overly anxious, feel inferior, or be stressed psychologically. Additionally, maintaining daily oral hygiene is crucial; it is reasonable to brush teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and evening, and to rinse the mouth after each meal. Using dental floss to clean between the teeth can help eliminate oral odors.
How is gingivitis treated in adolescence?
Gingivitis during adolescence may also be due to the patient's negligence in oral hygiene, chronic staying up late, binge eating and drinking, or frequent consumption of spicy and irritating foods, leading to poor oral hygiene. However, some gingivitis in adolescence is also due to changes in the patient's internal sex hormones, which temporarily enhance the inflammation of the gums. Generally, some inflammation can subside on its own after adolescence, but typical gingival inflammation cannot completely heal. At this time, it is advised that patients pay attention to oral hygiene. They could consider dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, and combine this with some oral medications for treatment, which generally can lead to recovery. If patients often neglect their diet, it is recommended that they adjust to a healthy dietary lifestyle and undergo regular check-ups, which can generally lead to recovery.
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.
Can gingivitis be transmitted through kissing?
The patient presents with gingivitis, generally due to intrinsic causes. It could be caused by the patient's internal heat leading to inflamed gums, resulting in gingivitis and periodontitis. Typically, kissing does not lead to transmission because it is not a contagious disease. It is advised that the patient pays attention to their oral hygiene, regularly undergoes dental cleaning, and avoids causing other dental diseases. Gingivitis and oral ulcers do not spread through kissing. However, it is recommended that the patient seeks timely treatment and avoids kissing during this time. While it does not cause contagion, it can lead to the spread of some bacteria in the mouth, which may exacerbate the condition. Therefore, early treatment is advised, but there is no need for excessive worry.