Gingivitis Essay

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Understanding gingivitis is key to keeping the foundation of your smile strong and healthy at 50 and beyond! Did you know that Gingivitis affects more than 50 percent of the U.S. adult population? In a recent study, it was discovered that over seventy-five percent of Americans age thirty-five and older have some form of gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which is a disorder involving inflammation of the gums. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene, which encourages plaque to form on teeth, causing inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue that can also cause bleeding of the gums. If gingivitis is left untreated it can turn into periodontitis, which is the second stage of gum disease and more serious. It’s possible to have gum disease without any symptoms. The following symptoms of gingivitis: gums that is red, tender, or swollen. Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, loose teeth. A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite. Pus between teeth and gums, pain when chewing, sensitive teeth. Foul smelling breath that does not go away after you brush your teeth. Heredity is a common factor leading to gingivitis. Bacteria may be more harmful to some people’s gums than others. Medications cause dry mouth and reduce the cleaning ability of saliva. This causes plaque and tartar to build up more easily. The use of tobacco is another leading cause of gum disease. The healing process of gums is much slower causing bacteria to destroy tissue; people with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing gum disease diabetes could possibly cause thickening of blood vessels, which makes it more difficult to carry nutrients to the gum A bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away, teeth that becomes loose. Inability to eat or drink. Than you should call your health care provider. Dentists usually diagnose gingivitis based on your dental and medical history and conditions that may contribute to your symptoms. Examination of your teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue for signs of plaque and inflammation. Measuring the pocket depth, dental x-rays to check for bone loss in areas where your dentist sees deeper pockets. If it’s not clear what has caused your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that you get a medical evaluation to check for underlying health

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