The Agony Of Having Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an infection that occurs when bacteria invade soft tissues, bone, and other places that bacteria should not be. At the moment of infection, bacteria no longer help us, they begin to harm us. Infections, like other diseases, range from mild to severe or life threatening.

When bacteria first begin to invade the gums, proteins present in the saliva and soft tissues called antibodies coat the bacteria and weaken it, making it an easy target for the body’s immune system. The cells that encounter the bacteria first attempt to kill it and, in the mean time, release chemicals into the bloodstream to call other cells to their aid.

Plaque is a sticky film that collects on your teeth, especially in crevices and spaces or around rough or broken fillings. The bacteria in plaque produce substances that can harm the gums. If plaque is not removed, it hardens. In this form its called calculus, or tartar. Calculus irritates the gums. It also provides more surfaces that bacteria can bind to and grow. The result is gingivitis.

The primary cause of gingivitis is the bacteria that coat your teeth, and if oral hygiene is poor, it forms a sticky white substance called plaque. The bacteria here proliferate faster and produce toxins that irritate your gums, keeping them swollen and red. When they are left untreated, they will destroy the tissues connecting the gums to the tooth, and eventually the tooth to the bones, causing a deep pocket and eventually attacks the bony structure. It has now progressed into what we call periodontitis, which is an irreversible form of gum disease.

The best treatment for gingivitis is a commitment to seeing your dental health care professional at least twice a year. At this time a routine check for gum disease is made and the latter of course is associated heavily with bleeding gums. As a matter of fact, bleeding gums are the first sign of advanced gum disease! Until that pivotal moment of truth, the disease has been progressed quietly and largely gone unnoticed due to a lack of pain or other symptoms.

The key preventative to gum disease is repetition of brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash on a twice daily basis at least. The cleaning actions of the products is fantastic for preventing tooth decay and highly effective for gum disorders as well. The combination of these actions will be effective at preventing diseases in your mouth and on your gums.