What causes severe gum inflammation? And find out the best center for dental treatment and cosmetic dentistry.

Severe Gingivitis, Gingivitis is one of the most common diseases affecting a large percentage of all age groups due to some bad daily habits, which causes discomfort as a result of the severe pain resulting from it, and therefore, doctors tried to find some medical, surgical, and natural solutions to treat this type of inflammation. During our article, we will talk extensively about gingivitis and how to treat it and the most important centers for its treatment.

Severe Gingivitis

Gingivitis: One of the most important symptoms that indicate the presence of problems in the gums and teeth, which usually occurs as a result of the accumulation of bacteria and tartar on the surface of the teeth. Its symptoms begin to appear gradually, starting with swelling and irritation occurring in the gums, ending with severe pain, in addition, if left untreated, it may turn into inflammation in the tooth sockets and tooth loss.

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Types of Gingivitis

Gingivitis has different types and causes, and in this paragraph, we will discuss them in a simple way:

• Periodontal Disease: This is the most severe stage of inflammation, which appears due to the patient’s neglect in treating simple gingivitis. It occurs due to the spread of bacteria and infection in the soft tissue around the teeth, which causes the erosion of the tooth bones, and over time, it leads to loosening of the teeth and their falling out.
• Gingivitis Resulting from Diabetes: It is one of the symptoms caused by diabetes, which works to reduce blood flow to the gums, causing them to weaken, and this makes them susceptible to infection. Its main symptoms include swollen and severely reddened gums, and bleeding may occur in some cases.
• Gingivitis Resulting from Cavities: Cavities are a type of bacteria that sticks to the surface of the teeth and begins to erode them, and over time, it causes a black cavity inside the tooth. With neglect of cavities, it may lead to gingivitis, which can be noticed through the presence of swelling and enlargement in the gums and their color changing to a dark red.
• Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis: This is one of the least common types of inflammation and occurs as a result of a gum infection, and it is caused by a deficiency or weakness in the patient’s immune system. Its symptoms include a foul odor in the mouth, severe inflammation accompanied by severe pain, and smokers and those with weak immunity are more susceptible to this inflammation.
• Hormonal Gingivitis: In some cases, elevated body hormones may cause gingivitis, especially if it is the estrogen and progesterone hormones, which are female hormones. Its symptoms include mild inflammation and swelling of the gums, but if it persists, it is necessary to visit the doctor.
• Gingivitis Resulting from Fungi: This type of inflammation occurs due to the infection of the mouth with a particular type of fungus called Actinomyces, which causes inflammation and the appearance of an abscess or pus in scattered areas of the gums, in addition to the appearance of some pockets containing sulfur granules, which cause secretions in the mouth.

Symptoms of Severe Gingivitis

Gingivitis can be noticed from its first appearance in a simple form, until it becomes severe, through its clear symptoms, including:

• Feeling of swelling and enlargement in the area surrounding the teeth (gums)
• Change in the color of the gums from the normal pink to a dark red.
• Increased sensitivity in the gums, especially when consuming frozen foods and drinks.
• Feeling mild pain that gradually increases until it reaches severe pain and the inability to bear it.
• Severe inflammation and the inability to touch the gums.
• Appearance of blood in the toothbrush when cleaning the teeth. For more information about gum bleeding, click here.
• Feeling a foul odor in the mouth despite brushing the teeth.
• The gums receding downwards, causing the tooth sockets to appear, which is known as gum recession.

Diagnosis of Severe Gingivitis

When the patient feels pain, several visits to the doctor are necessary to examine and diagnose the teeth and identify the problem and develop a treatment plan. The diagnosis process takes place in several steps, including:

• During the session, the doctor examines the teeth and gums, reviews the patient’s medical history, and asks the patient if they have any chronic or immune diseases.
• The doctor asks the patient about the type of medications they are taking, especially if they are taking them regularly due to a particular disease.
• After a thorough examination of the health of the teeth and gums, the doctor uses a sterilized medical tool to determine the severity of the inflammation by inserting it into the pockets, which are usually 1 to 2 in length, but in case of inflammation, they may increase to 4.
• If the doctor cannot determine the cause of the inflammation, they may request some tests on the mouth, such as X-rays.

Causes of Severe Gingivitis

Gingivitis may occur due to several reasons related to many of the patient’s daily habits. The following are the most important of these causes:

• Neglecting to clean the teeth and mouth daily with toothpaste and a toothbrush, which helps the spread of bacteria and is the primary cause of gingivitis.
• Hormonal changes, especially in women during menstruation, adolescence, and menopause.
• Crooked and crowded teeth resulting from haphazard growth during childhood, which makes it difficult to remove food debris between the teeth, leading to the spread of bacteria.
• Suffering from chronic diseases whose symptoms include gingivitis, such as immune deficiency and diabetes.
• Dysfunction of the salivary gland, which causes a lack of saliva in the mouth, which helps remove bacteria.
• The patient taking a large amount of medications whose side effects include gingivitis, such as medications for seizures and angina.
• A large proportion of those with gingivitis among men is due to excessive smoking.
• Gingivitis may be a hereditary disease, so it is necessary to follow up with the doctor for treatment.
• Gingivitis occurs due to aging.
• It may occur due to malnutrition and a lack of many vitamins, such as vitamin C.

When is Gingivitis Dangerous?

Many people underestimate the danger of gingivitis and consider it a simple symptom that will go away over time without treatment. However, gingivitis is considered one of the most dangerous diseases that teeth can be exposed to, as it affects the patient’s daily life effectively. Once the teeth are neglected as a first stage, simple swelling and inflammation begin to appear in the gums, but with neglect and lack of treatment, it may progress to severe pain and severe bleeding. If left completely untreated, its danger may lead to tooth loss and jaw bone erosion. Therefore, as soon as swelling is felt in the area surrounding the teeth, it is necessary to visit the doctor.

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Complications of Severe Gingivitis

Gingivitis may occur, as we mentioned earlier, due to several reasons caused by the patient, but with severe neglect in treating it, it may cause a number of complications that we will discuss in several points in this paragraph:

• The gums become infected, causing an abscess in the gingival tissue, which spreads until it reaches the tooth bones.
• Recurrent and persistent inflammation of the gums for long periods.
• The spread of ulcers in the gums and mouth.
• With severe neglect, the condition may progress to inflammation of the tooth sockets, which in turn causes the bones to fall out if left untreated.
• Some studies link gingivitis to cardiovascular and lung diseases.

How to Prevent Severe Gingivitis

Prevention of gingivitis starts from childhood by educating the child about the importance of cleaning the teeth. Here are the most important preventive methods for gingivitis:

• Cleaning the teeth daily, at least three times after each meal.
• Using a suitable type of toothpaste containing materials such as fluoride to protect against cavities.
• Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and using it correctly, from the inside to the outside and from top to bottom.
• Choosing a good medical mouthwash and using it daily, at least before bedtime.
• Getting used to using dental floss to remove small food debris stuck between the teeth.
• Avoiding consuming foods containing sugars and carbonated drinks.
• Refraining from smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Visiting the doctor regularly to receive appropriate treatment in case of any problems.

Treatment of Severe Gingivitis

There are many ways that a patient may resort to for treating gingivitis, and in this paragraph, we will discuss the most important of these treatment methods:

Treatment by the Doctor: The doctor performs a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums with more advanced and effective sterilized medical tools, where they remove bacteria and tartar from the surface of the teeth and the edges of the gums, then clean the rough surfaces of the tooth roots to help them attach to the gums.

Surgical Treatment: This is one of the treatment methods that the doctor may resort to if the gums are in poor condition, and these surgeries include the following:

• Gum Graft Surgery: The doctor replaces the inflamed gums with another by taking a piece of tissue from the patient’s own body, such as the palate, and transplanting it into the inflamed area, covering the exposed part of the teeth to protect them from cavities and falling out.
• Flap Surgery: This is one of the surgeries that relies on lifting the gum tissue and removing bacteria and tartar underneath it, then returning it to its place and suturing it, ensuring that it is attached around the teeth.

Medications Related to Gingivitis

The doctor may use some medications, such as painkillers and antibiotics, to get rid of gingivitis and its problems after deep cleaning of the teeth. These medications include the following:

• Penicillin: It is one of the most important types of antibiotics used in the treatment of gingivitis, especially acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. However, if the patient is allergic to it, an alternative must be found.
• Erythromycin: It is used as a good alternative to penicillin, as it acts as an antibiotic for gingivitis for those who are allergic to penicillin.
• Minocycline: It is not only a medication for gingivitis but also acts as a good aid in procedures performed by the dentist, such as teeth cleaning and root canal treatment in case the patients suffer from tooth decay.
• Doxycycline: Many doctors prefer it as one of the antibiotic drugs that have an effect on treating gingivitis, especially if it has progressed to the tooth sockets.
• Disinfecting Film or Antibiotic Chips: These are antibiotic chips that the doctor inserts into the gum pockets, where they slowly release the antibiotic to eliminate bacteria and reduce the size of the gum pocket.
• Antibiotic Gel: It is a topical antibiotic gel that the doctor applies inside the gum pockets after deep cleaning, and it helps control the spread of infection.
• Painkillers: These are a group of pills taken orally and used as painkillers for the pain resulting from gingivitis, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Tips for Living with Gingivitis

Many doctors offer a number of tips that are important for being able to live with gingivitis until it is treated, including the following:

• Daily Teeth Cleaning Routine: The patient establishes a daily plan for cleaning their teeth, using toothpaste and a toothbrush at least three times after each meal to quickly get rid of food debris. They then use dental floss to remove small pieces of food stuck between the teeth that the toothbrush could not remove and use a mouth rinse that kills bacteria at least twice a day.
• Following Healthy Daily Habits: The patient follows a healthy diet containing a group of elements and vitamins that strengthen the body’s health, especially the teeth and gums. They consume plenty of fruits and vegetables containing natural fibers, avoid consuming sugars and carbonated drinks, and do not smoke excessively, as it is one of the main factors that increase gingivitis.

How Long Does Gum Inflammation Treatment Take?

We cannot determine the exact time it takes to treat gum inflammation due to various factors that may increase or decrease the treatment period, such as the patient’s ability to detect the problem and the treatment methods used, the condition of the patient’s gums, and their commitment to the dentist’s instructions regarding dental hygiene and medication. However, typically, treatment for a mild case may take 7 to 14 days, while in severe cases, inflammation treatment may take up to 3 months.

Best Center for Dental Treatment and Cosmetic Dentistry

The Dental Center is one of the leading centers in Egypt specializing in dental treatment and cosmetic dentistry. It houses a large number of specialized dentists who treat various issues such as gum inflammation and missing teeth using the latest technological techniques and medical devices to achieve the desired results by the patient. The center offers the best care and services to assist the patient in receiving the best treatment and service at an affordable cost.