Treating gum inflammation correctly - what helps?
We explain how you can recognize gum inflammation, how it develops and why gum inflammation needs to be treated. You will also find out how we effectively treat gum inflammation in our patients.
- Gentle and effective treatment
- 99.5% success rate with the DR. HAGER | Periodontitis Concept©
- Family practice for 40 years, in 2nd generation
Healthy gums have a light pink color.
In the case of gingivitis, the gums are red and inflamed, they may swell and feel sensitive. Another indication is frequent bleeding when brushing your teeth or using dental floss.
How do I recognize an inflammation of the gums?
The function of the gums is to cover the jawbone and tightly surround the teeth in it like a cuff. No bacteria should be able to enter between the gums and the tooth.
If the patient fails to remove the bacterial build-up at regular intervals with a toothbrush, dental floss or interdental brushes, the symptom of acute gingivitis occurs.
Bacterial colonies attack the gums and dissolve them. The body reacts with an inflammatory reaction via the bloodstream – the gums swell, turn a deep red color and slight irritation leads to bleeding gums. The dentist then speaks of gingivitis.
Contrary to many opinions, deep red gums are a fallacy of dental aesthetics. In fact, pale pink gums are a sign of healthy teeth.
“Recognizing gum inflammation is extremely important to protect against later, irreversible consequences. We dentists at DR. HAGER | Zahnärzte pay special attention to gingivitis, explaining the most common causes of bleeding gums, in order to guarantee our patients lasting dental health.”
Dr. Benjamin Hager
Causes of gum inflammation
- Symptoms and first signs include bleeding gums and sensitive gums when brushing your teeth. The possible causes are not only bacteria, but they play the main role.
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Reasons can also be mechanical stimuli that have damaged the gums by brushing the teeth too hard with toothbrushes, toothpicks or too rough handling with dental floss.
- Symptoms and first signs include bleeding gums and sensitive gums when brushing your teeth. The possible causes are not only bacteria, but they play the main role.
- Bacteria can then penetrate the wound and cause inflammation. Switching to soft toothbrushes and using interdental brushes usually helps in this case.
- Gingivitis can also lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Other causes of increased risk:
- Type II diabetics suffer from increased permeability of the blood vessel walls, which consequently leads to an increased risk of also developing gingivitis and periodontitis (technically: periodontitis).
- During pregnancy, hormonal changes due to tissue-dilating enzymes cause the gums to loosen. This results in a higher risk of gingivitis and periodontitis (periodontosis).
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Smokers in particular use nicotine to prevent the blood supply from being cut off.
- Daily stress can increase the risk as it weakens the immune system and can lead to unhealthy habits such as teeth grinding or neglecting dental care.
Gentle and effective
periodontitis treatment at DR. HAGER
Successful treatment in 99.5% of all cases thanks to the DR. HAGER | Periodontitis Concept©: Are you looking for an experienced dental practice for the detection and treatment of periodontitis? At our dental practice in Bietingen and dental practice in Konstanz, we rely on the gentlest, most painless and modern dental procedure possible for periodontitis treatment.
How do I recognize an inflammation of the gums?
The mucosal epithelium is located directly at the transition from the tooth to the gum. With proper oral hygiene and a balanced diet, this epithelium (special layer of the gums) protects against inflammation of the periodontium, even for a lifetime.
- If oral hygiene is inadequate, this initially leads to bleeding gums. Bleeding gums at the affected area are a good indication and cause of a bacterial infection on the tooth. The expert then speaks of acute gingivitis, which can still be stopped by oral hygiene instructions and correct application.
- If this does not happen, the gums become so loose that it is easy for bacteria to penetrate deeper and deeper into the so-called gingival pocket. For the patient, on the other hand, it becomes increasingly difficult to remove bacteria from these deep gum pockets.
- If this continues, the inflammation also spreads to the periodontium. This is known as periodontitis. The term periodontitis is incorrectly used. The periodontium consists of the gums adjacent to the tooth, the fibers that hold the tooth in place and the surrounding bone itself.
- If this periodontitis disease cannot be stopped with periodontitis treatment, in the worst case it can lead to tooth loss. This is referred to as chronic, severe periodontitis. What all diseases have in common is that bacterial plaque, tartar and plaque that is not adequately removed by brushing teeth, for example, can lead to gingivitis.
The stages of gingivitis and periodontitis. These are divided into 1. gingivitis, the inflammation of the gums, 2. early periodontitis, the inflammation of the periodontium, 3. moderate periodontitis and 4. advanced periodontitis with significant bone loss. Tooth loss is inevitable.
Treatment: What helps quickly against gingivitis?
Most people don’t like to hear it, but the best way to prevent gum inflammation or gingivitis is through good oral hygiene. Among other things, this means brushing your teeth regularly, but also cleaning the spaces between your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes.
By the way: Whatever works is allowed. A mix of dental floss and interdental brushes can also help to get everywhere between the teeth.
Tip: If access from the outside (from the inside of the cheek to the inside) is not possible, simply try from the inside (palate side) to the outside – the main thing is that the interdental brushes get through and can scrub away the plaque caused by bacteria.
Regular check-ups at the dentist and regular professional teeth cleaning can also prevent gingivitis.
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory mouthwashes can be used for mild gum inflammation. These can be based on herbal ingredients such as essential oils, but the active ingredient chlorhexidine is often used. Painkillers can also alleviate the symptoms and antibiotics may be necessary in the case of severe inflammation.
Inflammation of the gums: When to go to the dentist?
If the gum inflammation has not subsided after about a week, those affected should go to the dentist for treatment.
Although the dentist can detect the gum inflammation without medical equipment, a probe is usually used to measure how deep the gap between the tooth and gum is. As a rule, the gap is 2-3 millimeters. If the probe can penetrate further, gum pockets have usually already formed.
If the gum pockets reach the periodontium, the so-called periodontium, periodontitis develops. If the disease remains untreated, the jawbone can be affected, which in the worst case can lead to loose teeth.
Important: Not every inflammation of the gums leads to periodontitis – but every periodontitis begins with an inflammation of the gums
Stopping gingivitis -
the Dr. Hager concept
There are simple rules of oral hygiene to stop gingivitis:
- Regular tooth brushing, combined with cleaning the interdental spaces with dental floss or the small brushes and professional teeth cleaning 2-4 times a year, helps to cure gingivitis and stop periodontitis.
- The DR. HAGER | dentists have developed a safe and simple treatment concept to give their patients security, confidence and success.
- If bleeding gums occur, which is indicative of gingivitis, Dr. Hager's patients are treated closely.
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Treatment begins with professional teeth cleaning and coordination of thorough oral hygiene at home. This measure usually stops the bleeding of the gums.
- However, if periodontitis has manifested itself (in common parlance, periodontosis), there is also a specially developed, scientifically proven concept for curing periodontitis in a short time. Naturally, the treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic.
Dental advice
If you have any questions or would like advice about gum inflammation, we will be happy to help you personally. Visit us during our consultation hours at one of our two dental practices.
Find out more about our dental practice here.
and the Dr. Hager team
Frequently asked questions about gingivitis
How long does an acute inflammation of the gums last?
Gingivitis lasts until it is cured. This can be achieved by following simple oral hygiene rules at home. The difficulty for the patient is to assess such an inflammation. It is therefore advisable to have your teeth cleaned regularly. This is a step towards lifelong dental health.
Inflammation of the gums, what can I do?
Gum inflammation is caused by untreated plaque, vitamin C deficiency, harmful bacteria and poor oral hygiene.
Do I have to go to the dentist if I have gingivitis?
If untreated gingivitis persists, the risk of periodontitis increases. It is therefore evidently important in the case of gingival diseases to eliminate inadequate oral hygiene with tips and information from the dental hygienists at DR. HAGER | Zahnärzte and to treat the gingiva back to health.
How does the dentist treat gingivitis?
The DR. HAGER | dentists are sensitized to gingival diseases. For example, the gums are examined in detail during an appointment to prevent possible diseases. If necessary, treatment for gingivitis is initiated. In addition, the periodontal screening index is determined in order to possibly initiate periodontitis therapy.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums in the oral cavity. One indication of this is bleeding gums, which can lead to periodontitis, the inflammation of the periodontium, if left untreated.
When does gingivitis subside?
As soon as the correct steps of oral hygiene are taken, the inflammation improves. The human immune system also helps here. The dental hygienists at DR. HAGER | Zahnärzte will explain to you. Why not make an appointment online now?
How does gingivitis develop?
Inflammation is often caused by bacteria. However, many factors play a role, such as oral hygiene, general illnesses, etc. We will be happy to advise you and get to the bottom of the cause.
Chronic gum inflammation what to do?
If gum inflammation persists over a longer period of time, it can lead to inflammation of the periodontium (periodontitis). In this case, treatment must be initiated by one of our dentists.
Why do I constantly get gingivitis?
If you suffer from frequent gum inflammation, you should contact us for a dental consultation so that we can find out the cause and eliminate it.
What relieves inflammation of the gums?
For acute symptoms, you can take ibuprofen as the painkiller of choice, which both relieves the pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. If the dentist has ruled out periodontitis or other causes, do not go easy on the gums but brush them with a toothbrush and clean the spaces between the teeth with interdental brushes.
What can I eat if I have gingivitis?
In general, inflammation is caused by bacteria and bacteria prefer to feed on sugar. A low-sugar diet is therefore a good way to prevent inflammation.
