What Is Gingivitis and Periodontitis?

Does your dentist talk about gingivitis and have you wondered what that is?

Here is the answer to that.

For starters, let us begin with what gingiva is. Your gingiva  is a coral pink colored specialised tissue , that surrounds the neck of the tooth in a collar like fashion.

Gingiva has three main parts. A. Marginal Gingiva- gums immediately surrounding the neck of tooth

                                                    B.Attached Gingiva- just beneath the marginal gingiva that is firm and attached to the underlying bone

                                                    C. Alveolar mucosa - soft reddish structure immediately above the attached gingiva with rich vascular supply.

A healthy gingiva free of infection is usually coral pink in colour.

But what actually is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition characterised by changes in the ultrasructure of gingiva due to infectious microorganisms.

Oral hygiene forms an imperative part of a healthy lifestyle. But if we fail to follow proper oral hygiene measures, there is accumulation of plaque in the gingiva surrounding your tooth. This plaque that depositing initially following food intake or due to lack of oral hygiene is initially not mineralized and is loosely adherent. But as the plaque becomes long standing, there is a change in the level and the type of microorganisms inside. This process is called maturation of plaque biofilm.

After few days the plaque becomes mineralised due to the deposition of calcium and its source is saliva. Though saliva has defensive mechanisms, it can also precipitate plaque.

This mineralised plaque is harder than bone and is called - Calculus.

This calculus cannot be removed by normal brushing.

Due to the deposition of calculus, the normal gingiva begins to undergo changes to limit the spread. That attempt is called inflammation

This inflammation of gingiva is simply called Gingivitis.

Changes in gingivitis:

a. Bleeding gums

b. Redness of gums

c.Bad breath

d. Occasionally swelling of gums

If gingivitis is not treated there is progression of infection.

This condition of progression of infection characterised by loss of supporting tissue that hold the tooth in place is called - Periodontitis

Changes that occur due to Periodontitis:

a. Gums recede- pulling away of gums from tooth

b. loss of the supporting fibers of tooth

c. Loss of supporting bone

d. Mobility of tooth

e. Loss of tooth - in severe cases

c. Abscesses of periodontium- localised accumulation of pus and swelling

Keeping these conditions in mind, it is better we start taking good care of our oral health just like any other parts of your body

Treatment for gingivitis:

.Periodic scaling using ultrasonic instruments. This can keep your gingiva intact and prevent infectuon from persisting.

Treatment for periodontitis:

It is multidisciplinary in nature.

It involves a. scaling to prevent disease progression

                   b. Root planning that involves infection from root surface that can promote new attachment

                   c. Bone grafting to allow for support to the lost bone

                   d.Draining of abscess in case of pus accumulation

                   e. Gingival surgeries to compensate for receded gums

                    f. Periodic visits tocheck progress of the treatment

In case you notice any of these changes in your gums and you want a solution seek professional care from your dentists. Schedule your appointments today to keep your oral health in periodic check.