Gingivitis symptoms & treatment

Many suffer from inflammation and pain in the gums, which makes their daily life a bit more difficult and less carefree.

Especially in cases of advanced gingivitis, people often look for ways to treat the problem naturally to speed up healing.

But what can really help and how can we successfully treat gingivitis and its individual symptoms?

What is gingivitis?

It is a mild oral disease, characterized by inflammation of the gums and symptoms such as swollen & sensitive gums that bleed easily. It is – in most cases – a fully reversible condition.

Gingivitis affects a large percentage of adults, with the majority having encountered this condition at least once in their lifetime. It occurs more often in males as well as in pregnant women, while it is mainly caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

Causes

There are many factors that can lead to gingivitis. The most common cause is not having good oral hygiene on a daily basis (eg frequent brushing, flossing).

Additional risk factors for gingivitis are:

• Poor diet (e.g. high sugar consumption)
• Smoking / vaping
• Family history of gingivitis
• Injured gums
• Caries
• Tooth extractions
• Chronic stress
• Old age
• Medical conditions (eg type II diabetes, heart disease, HIV)
• Taking medicines that reduce saliva production (xerostomia)
• Hormonal changes (puberty, menopause, menstruation)
• Obesity
• Breathing through the mouth during sleep
• Genetic disorders

Both poor oral hygiene and poor eating habits contribute to the accumulation of bacteria & plaque below the gum line, leading to tartar build-up over time which is very difficult to remove.

Plaque and calculus cause inflammation of the gum line, resulting in swelling and bleeding gums.

Symptoms

The main signs that indicate the presence of gingivitis are:

• Swollen and/or red gums
• Gums that bleed easily (eg when brushing/flossing)
• Gums that hurt to the touch
• Receding gums, soft gums
• Change in gum color
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Metallic taste

Although in some cases it is possible that a person does not experience particular discomfort or the typical symptoms of the disease, usually gingivitis is accompanied by intense sensitivity & bleeding gums.

If one ignores and does not deal with these symptoms in time, thinking they are of little importance, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis.

How to cure gingivitis

Gingivitis treatment is based on good daily oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning and check-ups on the teeth and gums.

Regarding the daily oral hygiene routine, the following are recommended:

• Brushing at least 2 times a day or shortly after each meal/snack, for 2 minutes.
• Flossing and using interdental brushes daily
• Mouthwash for gingivitis: Your dentist will probably recommend a specific duration of use.
• Toothbrush: Prefer soft toothbrushes that do not cause irritation or electronic ones that offer better cleaning (replace every 3 months)
• Toothpaste for gingivitis or bleeding gums
• Ointment: These are usually specially designed gels containing chlorhexidine as an active substance. They are applied locally for a specific period of time (a few days or weeks), according to the dentist’s instructions.

You should visit your dentist at least once a year if you are healthy and more often when there is an oral disease or a condition related to oral health.

Regarding gingivitis, early diagnosis and treatment is the key! Otherwise, there may be multiple complications, even tooth loss.

Additional lifestyle tips are listed below:

• Smoking: People who smoke or vape are more likely to develop this problem. For those who already have it, this habit will make it more difficult to deal with the situation.
• Dietary habits: Following a healthy diet, rich in foods with anti-inflammatory & antioxidant activity and probiotics, is also of great importance. Frequent consumption of vegetables, fruits, fermented dairy products (e.g. yogurt) and sources of omega-3 fatty acids is recommended. On the contrary, sugar and simple carbohydrates in general, as well as alcohol and junk food, should be avoided. Also, it is suggested eating harder foods, e.g. carrots, apples, nuts..

Natural treatment

Finally, there are various home remedies for gingivitis which, however, have a milder effectiveness than specialized oral hygiene products. The most well-known ones that can be used as a mouthwash are the following:

• Salt water
• Coconut oil (Oil pulling) – Swirl for 10-15 minutes 1 tbsp. coconut oil in the mouth and then spit it.
• Baking soda – Dissolve 1 tbsp. baking soda in a glass of water.
• Aloe Vera – Pure aloe vera juice can be used as is, up to 3 times daily.

Naturally, it is very important to ensure that safe and edible products are used in these preparations.

Herbs that help treat gingivitis and will often be seen as key ingredients in toothpastes and mouthwashes are:

• Lemongrass oil
• Tea tree oil
• Turmeric
• Sage
• Thyme
• Chamomile
• Guava
• Green tea

Pregnancy gingivitis

During pregnancy and, specifically, as early as the 2nd month, it is very possible that the mother-to-be develops gingivitis, with rates ranging from 60-75%.

This condition is called pregnancy gingivitis and is due, to a large extent, to the hormonal changes that take place during that period, as well as to the changes in:

• Saliva acidity
• Immune system function
• Eating habits (e.g. increased consumption of sweets)

As already mentioned above, it is important to treat gingivitis in time, so that it doesn’t lead to periodontitis and irreversible damage to the teeth and gums.

Precautionary measures:

• Regular dental checkups
• Professional teeth cleaning
• Frequent and proper brushing
• Interdental area cleaning
• Balanced diet 

How to treat pregnancy gingivitis

For the management of pregnancy gingivitis, it is recommended that the following guidelines be followed:

• Good oral hygiene: Prefer to use products suitable for pregnant women and for the fetus (pregnancy-suitable mouthwash and toothpaste)
• Balanced diet: Avoid consuming sweets-soft drinks-junk food / Increase the amount of vegetables-fruits-whole grains that you eat
• Avoid smoking (recommended anyway)

Regarding morning sickness:

It is very important for the pregnant woman to rinse her mouth thoroughly with water, in case of morning sickness and vomiting. This is to protect the teeth from stomach acids. Attention: It is recommended not to brush for the next one hour, only to rinse with water.

Gingivitis Vs Periodontitis

As mentioned above, neglecting to treat gingivitis can gradually lead to periodontitis, a more serious condition that affects the teeth and gums and leads to unwanted complications.

The period of time it takes for gingivitis to turn into periodontitis is not specific and depends on many factors. Sometimes it takes years or months, while in some cases the transition takes place within a few weeks.

Regarding the symptoms of periodontitis, it is worth mentioning that many are common with those of gingivitis (e.g. bad breath and bleeding gums), which is why people sometimes get confused.

It is very important to visit your dentist so that a proper diagnosis can be made and the necessary treatment can follow.

Periodontitis symptoms

• Bad breath that won’t go away – even after brushing
• Gingival edema (swelling)
• Bleeding gums
• Severe gum-tooth sensitivity (e.g. pain when chewing)
• Gum discoloration (bright red/purple)
• Abscesses
• Gaps between the teeth
• Tooth movement (obvious differences compared to before)
• Tooth mobility (loose teeth)
• Advanced gum recession (bone appearance)
• Metallic taste
• Changes in how dental devices (eg bridges) fit

You should therefore recognize the symptoms from the very beginning, so that you start dealing with the problem as soon as possible!

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