Gingivitis is a gum disease caused by plaque . It affects about three-quarters of people over age 35 according to the World Health Organization. It is a disease that can become serious but has the advantage of evolving slowly.
WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?
The gingivitis is caused by plaque . This is continually forming and must be removed daily by brushing. If the dental plaque settles too much it turns into tartar , a hard limestone layer against which brushing is not effective. Bacteria continue to develop under the tartar and attack the gums . Sensitivity to this disease can be increased by other serious diseases , such as leukemia, AIDS or diabetes. Other factors also increase the likelihood of gingivitis:
- the pregnancy
- the tobacco
- Lack of vitamin C
- Certain medicines such as birth control pills
THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE DISEASE
- Gingivitis: the gums are red and swollen. Bleeding can be noticed when brushing teeth. The disease is easily treatable because the gum is not yet too much affected.
- Periodontitis : Bones and tissues are irreversibly affected. The gum can sometimes form pockets where the food will lodge. A specific treatment needs to be put in place that can go as far as dental surgery.
- Advanced periodontitis: the last stage of disease progression. The tissues and bones that hold the teeth are greatly affected. The teeth can move, or even fall. The implementation of an adapted treatment is therefore urgent.
HOW TO PREVENT GINGIVITIS?
The solution to avoid gingivitis , especially when you are more sensitive to this disease than the average, is to have an irreproachable oral hygiene . This therefore involves daily tooth brushing, but not only. To limit the appearance of dental plaque, dentists also advise the use of a dental jet , also called hydropulseur, which can attack it in places unattainable with a toothbrush.