The Hazards of Gingivitis

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Gingivitis refers to an inflammation of the gum tissues, commonly caused by not brushing teeth in time after eating, accumulation of food residues or dental plaque around the teeth, which over time forms tartar due to the calcification by saliva. This long-term irritation to the gum tissue leads to bleeding gums, including bleeding while eating or brushing teeth. It is necessary to get a timely dental cleaning, otherwise it can lead to periodontitis or even result in loose teeth, and potentially tooth loss. Therefore, the harm caused by gingivitis is significant. Once gingivitis occurs, it requires timely dental cleaning to remove tartar and other irritating factors to alleviate symptoms of gum bleeding, allowing the gums to return to a normal, healthy state.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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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.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Can hydrogen peroxide be used as a mouthwash for gingivitis?

Gingivitis can be treated with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, as hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid with an irritating odor, and medically, it is commonly used for disinfecting wounds and otitis media. When the skin is infected or there are wounds and pus or contamination in the oral mucosa, 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used for disinfection, as it can destroy the bodies of bacteria and kill them. During oral treatment, such as some root canal treatments, hydrogen peroxide can be used for rinsing because most oral infections originate from anaerobic bacteria, and hydrogen peroxide has a strong bactericidal effect. However, as hydrogen peroxide is a topical medication, care should be taken not to swallow it while using it for mouthwash.

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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
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Why Gingivitis Always Persists

The treatment of gingivitis first requires patients to pay attention to adjusting their diet and lifestyle, as gingivitis is greatly related to the dietary habits of the patient. Patients who do not pay attention to oral hygiene over a long period and indulge excessively in eating and drinking, often consuming barbecued or fried foods, are likely to experience issues such as increased heat in the body or a reduction in immune resistance, depleting some of the body’s energy. Therefore, it is recommended that patients maintain a light diet, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, drink more water appropriately, and ensure adequate rest, avoiding staying up late. Additionally, patients should initially undertake treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, often involving anti-anaerobic or antibiotic drugs, which can effectively treat gingivitis. Additionally, patients can also routinely get their teeth cleaned in daily life, which can effectively relieve the symptoms of gingivitis.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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How to treat severe gingivitis?

Gingivitis is relatively common in daily life, mainly due to poor oral hygiene, dental calculus, plaque, food residues, and soft tartar, which irritate the gums, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. If severe, it can lead to gum recession, absorption of the alveolar bone, and loosening or loss of teeth. For severe gingivitis, initial treatment involves supragingival cleaning followed by subgingival scaling and root planing. If individual teeth continue to experience recurring swelling and pain after scaling, surgical treatment such as gingival flap surgery may be performed. This involves cutting open the gums to thoroughly remove calculus, plaque, food residues, and soft tartar, which can subsequently improve tooth mobility. In cases where teeth cannot be preserved and need to be extracted, severe gingivitis can also lead to the formation of gum abscesses. In such cases, oral cephalexin can be taken, and using a compound chlorhexidine mouthwash can help alleviate the condition and reduce pain.