Causes of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and widespread oral condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Symptoms typically include red, swollen gums that may bleed easily when brushing or flossing. While occasional cases are believed to be caused by factors outside the body, such as lifestyle habits and poor oral hygiene practices, sometimes the underlying cause can be something more sinister. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the causes of gingivitis in order to help you find answers and hopefully strive for relief from this unpleasant condition through your health insurance!

How is Gingivitis Caused?

Neglecting proper teeth cleaning can result in harmful bacteria thriving in your mouth, leading to the formation of plaque and inflamed gums. The main cause of gingivitis is the buildup of microbial plaque. Let's break down the key causes of gingivitis:

Microbial Plaque-Induced Gingivitis:

A thin layer of bacteria forms around your teeth and can lead to inflammation of the gums. Poor oral hygiene can cause this plaque to multiply and harden, worsening the condition. The most common culprits behind gingivitis are Streptococcus, Treponema, Veillonella, Fusobacterium, and Actinomyces. While less common, Capnocytophaga and Eikenella can also contribute to the problem.

Hormonal Gingivitis:

Hormonal Gingivitis is a real issue that pregnant women need to know about. During pregnancy, your changing hormones can cause inflammation in your gums, even with just a small amount of bacteria present. And it's not just pregnancy - puberty can also bring on gingivitis, thanks to the effects of estrogen and testosterone.

Nutritional Gingivitis:

Bad eating habits, particularly insufficient intake of vitamin C and heavy consumption of foods high in processed carbohydrates are known to cause and exaggerate inflammation in gingival tissues.

Drug-Induced Gingivitis:

Gingivitis can occur as a side effect of certain drugs such as calcium channel blockers which are used to treat heart disease and high blood pressure, anticoagulants or blood thinners used for certain heart disease, phenytoin used to treat epilepsy, oral contraceptives, and others. It is important to speak to your doctor about the potential effects of the medication you are currently taking.

Other risk factors for gingivitis include:

• Regular tobacco chewing
• Regular consumption of candies, chocolates, and sticky sweets
• Genetic diseases such as hereditary gingival fibromatosis, dry mouth, crowded teeth

Conclusion

Gingivitis, a prevalent oral disease, can affect people of all ages and genders. Characterised by redness and inflammation, it's crucial to address inflammation to treat it effectively. Luckily, treating gingivitis is simple. It involves removing dental plaques, practicing dental flossing and interproximal brushing, supplementing nutritional deficiencies, maintaining good oral hygiene, and seeking necessary medical interventions.

The above blog aims to provide general information about health and related topics. Any information provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials is not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is important that you contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.