Prioritizing oral health is essential for maintaining overall physical health. Individuals who notice swelling should consult a dentist in Karachi. Diagnosing the problem helps in smooth recovery and avoiding further complications.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Inflammation
Gum inflammation is commonly known as gingivitis. The bacterial infection causes swelling and pain around the base of the teeth. The signs and symptoms of gingivitis are:
- The patient can notice the change in the color of the gums. They become either red or purple.
- The patient suffers from gum bleeding while brushing or flossing the teeth.
- The person suffers from bad breath, even after brushing.
- The patient experiences pain while chewing the food.
- The swelling of the gums cause discomfort
- The infection may cause the person to lose teeth.
- In severe cases, the person may experience toothache along with swelling.
Causes of Gum Inflammation
- The known causes of gum inflammation include:
- Poor oral hygiene causes tartar buildup that can cause infection.
- Individuals who are not in the habit of flossing are at a higher risk of suffering from gum inflammation. Due to food particles in the sulcus, the possibility of bacterial plaque formation increases, which causes gingivitis.
Known Risk Factors
The individuals who are at a higher risk of suffering from gum inflammation are:
People suffer from hormonal imbalance.
- Individuals smoking and consuming alcohol are known to have poor oral health; hence, they are prone to develop gum disease.
- People with a family history of gum disease are at a higher risk of suffering from gingivitis.
- Side-effect from certain medications can cause soreness and inflammation.
- People suffering from HIV and leukemia have a weak immune system. Due to a compromised immune system, the chances of gum inflammation and correlated physical problems increase.
- Individuals suffering from viral and fungal infections are more likely to suffer from gum disease.
- Individuals above fifty are at a higher risk of developing gum disease.
Preventive Measures for Gum Disease
The preventive measures include:
- Individuals should brush their teeth twice a day.
- One should use fluoride toothpaste to help remove plaque.
- People should maintain oral hygiene and visit the dentist twice a year.
- Flossing helps remove food particles from the sulcus. The removal of food decreases the chance of bacterial plaque formation.
Complications Associated with Gum Disease
The complications include:
- The infection can cause pus and result in multiple issues. The person suffers from unbearable pain. Additionally, the person struggles to chew food.
- Untreated gum disease can damage the periodontal ligament can cause further complications.
- It can damage the alveolar bone. In severe cases, the specialist might remove the bone to avoid complications and the spread of infection.
- The person may experience a jaw infection.
- If the condition is untreated, the person may suffer from loose and loss of teeth.
- It can also cause lymph nodes to swell.
Tests for Diagnosing Gum Disease
The tests that assist in diagnosing Gum disease are:
- Physical Examination: The dentist will inspect the condition and color of the gums, teeth, and tongue to evaluate the severity of the condition.
- Imaging Test (X-ray): The deep pockets in the gums indicate a bone loss. X-ray helps check the changes in bone density and evaluates the severity.
- Gum Pocket Measurement: The dentist inserts the dental probe beneath the gum line to check, measure, and evaluate the depth between the teeth and gums.
Effective Treatment Options
The treatment options include:
Scaling and Root Canal: The individual has to opt for the dental procedure to clear tartar and plaque-causing the formation of bacteria.
Self-Care: The person develops a habit of brushing and flossing daily.
Individuals exhibiting symptoms correlated to gum disease should visit the best dentist in Islamabad for diagnosis and option effective treatment plan.