Introduction
Gingivitis, also called gingivitis in dentistry, describes an inflammatory reaction of the gums caused by bacteria. In contrast to periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium), the periodontium is not affected. But be careful, because untreated gingivitis can quickly develop into periodontitis.
Then there is a risk of gingival recession and gum pockets developing. Gingivitis can remain undetected for a long time, as it does not always cause pain and manifests itself in symptoms such as reddened gums, swelling and bleeding, which are not easy to detect. Bad breath and pus can also be a side effect.
Causes of gum inflammation with pus
The causes of gum inflammation, as with many diseases of the oral cavity, are bacteria that form plaque and cause plaque to form by multiplying and excreting metabolic products that attack not only the hard tooth substance but also the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, they produce toxins (toxic substances) and enzymes that increase the irritant effect. The body wants to fend off the bacteria and reacts with an inflammatory reaction. The classic therapy, especially when pus is present, is to improve oral hygiene and use ointments to fight the bacteria so that the gums can recover.
Difference to periodontitis
While gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, periodontitis describes the inflammation of all structures that hold the tooth. This includes not only the gums but also the bone, the fibrous apparatus and the root cement that adhere to the tooth. An untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, an inflammation of the periodontium.
The tissue in the oral cavity can change significantly. The color changes from pale pink to red and the tissues become tense and swollen. The papillae, i.e. the gum areas that fill the space between the teeth, regress, resulting in so-called “black triangles”.
Gum pockets of more than 5 mm in diameter can cause bacteria and food debris to accumulate and pus to form. The affected person experiences severe pain and unpleasant bad breath. The sense of taste is also negatively affected.
If the periodontal inflammation is not treated, the teeth loosen later on, which in the worst case can lead to tooth loss, since the bone breaks down under the bacterial inflammation. The teeth are less and less anchored in the bone and therefore wobble. Therapeutically, the dentist initiates a periodontal therapy in which the gums are cleaned of all bacteria, both superficially and in depth.
In the case of periodontitis, a bacteria test can be used to diagnose which bacterial strains are responsible for the individual progression of the disease. Therefore, antibiotic therapy can also help to combat the excess of lead bacteria in periodontitis in order to stop the spread of the disease. It is important that the patient practices very thorough oral hygiene, because only independent cooperation combined with dental therapy can fight periodontitis.
This also includes temporary treatment with a mouth rinse solution containing chlorhexidine digluconate. Rinsing twice daily for two weeks also helps to restore a healthy oral flora. Patients who suffer or have already suffered from periodontitis should be closely involved in the dental recall and counteract a setback with regular professional tooth cleaning (in some cases up to 4 times a year).
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