Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and bacteria. Gum inflammation (gingivitis) does not affect the gum-tooth junction and responds well to treatment in the early stages.

It is commonly believed that gingivitis occurs due to insufficiently thorough oral hygiene, and many patients are embarrassed to visit a clinic. However, the disease can be caused by various reasons, and patients should not feel uncomfortable. At the slightest suspicion, you should consult a doctor. All dental clinics in Ukraine and Kyiv note that ignoring gingivitis symptoms is quite common and leads to worsening dental problems.

Gingivitis can occur due to:

• improper tooth brushing (incorrect use of a toothbrush or floss leads to bacterial accumulation that causes inflammation);
• tartar buildup (dental plaque can turn into hard tartar that irritates the mucosa and causes inflammation);
• smoking (tobacco smoke irritates the mucosa and reduces tissue blood supply);
• hormonal changes (in women, gingivitis may worsen during pregnancy or menstruation due to hormone level changes);
• stress (stressful conditions weaken the immune system, making the mucosa more vulnerable to infections and inflammation);
• systemic diseases (some diseases such as diabetes, immunodeficiency conditions, and diseases affecting circulation can increase the risk of gingivitis);
• medication use (drugs such as antidepressants and antiepileptic medications can cause mucosal enlargement and increased risk of inflammation).

Gingivitis symptoms depend on the severity of the disease: the more advanced the stage, the more intense and pronounced the symptoms will be. It is very important to respond even to minor deviations from the norm and not think that everything will resolve on its own. Timely seeking medical help will protect not only from disease progression but also from complications.

Gingivitis treatment usually includes the following main stages:

1. Professional dental cleaning.

This stage is performed by a dentist and involves removing all tartar and plaque deposits from the tooth surfaces and interdental spaces. This eliminates the main cause of the disease.

2. Proper oral hygiene training.

The patient is explained and shown how to properly brush teeth, use dental floss, irrigators, and other hygiene products to maintain oral cleanliness. Quality home hygiene is critically important for successful treatment.

3. Anti-inflammatory agents.

Antiseptic rinses, gels, or special therapeutic toothpastes with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial components may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

4. Antibiotics.

In severe cases, with pronounced gingivitis and deep pockets, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed to fight bacterial infection.

5. Surgical intervention.

Rarely used, but if conservative treatment does not produce results, surgical excision of deep periodontal pockets or flap surgery may be needed to reduce bacterial niche formation.

6. Risk factor correction.

Eliminating factors contributing to gingivitis development — quitting smoking, normalizing sugar levels in diabetes, changing hormonal medications, etc.

Gum inflammation (gingivitis) is one of those diseases that requires constant monitoring and prevention. Among the most important measures are:

• regular proper hygiene.

Daily brushing twice a day with a soft toothbrush and dental floss helps remove dental plaque and prevents bacterial accumulation;

• use of additional cleaning products.

For additional cleaning between teeth, you can use interdental brushes or dental floss, especially if teeth are closely spaced;

• preventive examination.

Visiting the dentist regularly for professional teeth cleaning and gum condition monitoring helps identify problems early and prevent gingivitis development.

Gingivitis prevention measures also include quitting tobacco and alcohol use, proper nutrition, stress factor elimination, and general health monitoring.

Despite its seemingly mundane nature, gingivitis can be very insidious and provoke a number of serious complications:

• tooth loss;
• periodontitis (periodontal inflammation);
• abscess formation.

In addition, uncontrolled gingivitis can worsen chronic diseases: cardiovascular, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis. It is also very dangerous for pregnant women, as it leads to an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight in newborns.

The treatment cost depends on the severity and extent of the disease. In case of severe extensive gingivitis, the cost of dental services will be significantly higher. In Kyiv, gingivitis treatment prices start from 2–3 thousand hryvnias.