The Common Problem of Gingivitis gum disease

submitted: Sep 9th 2008 | by: Mandy | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 511 | PDF View | Print Article

Gingivitis gum disease is a common term recognized by most people now thanks to the genius of marketing mouthwash and toothpaste products. The fact is most of us should be familiar with the disease anyway since over three quarters of us suffer from it regularly. It is not too hard to ignore in most cases since there is only minimal pain and mostly just annoying symptoms.

The term may be common knowledge but what is the medical description of Gingivitis gum disease? The gingiva is the gum tissue surrounding the teeth and when it becomes irritated and inflamed you have the disease. Swelling usually occurs and the gums are sensitive to the touch. Bleeding is common and may extend to even toothbrush use. Often the toothbrush will come back with a pinkish tinge.

A common spot for the food and subsequent bacteria to hide is between your teeth and gums. The growing bacteria irritate the gums causing the Gingivitis gum disease problems. The normal symptoms are swelling of the gums near the teeth, tenderness of the gums while brushing or flossing, and excessive bleeding while brushing or flossing.

The symptoms of Gingivitis gum disease are usually caused primarily by bad oral hygiene efforts. Plaque is a thin film on you teeth that brushing can remove temporarily, but it will reform after a day or two if not kept clean. Eventually tartar forms as a harder layer over the plaque which makes it very hard to remove outside a dentist's chair.

The plaque and tartar create a superb place for bacteria to grow and flourish. There are plenty of bacteria already in your mouth just waiting for the right situation to grow and cause Gingivitis gum disease. Saliva helps keep the teeth clean as well, but doesn't reach down between the gums and the teeth. The bacteria multiply and the irritation begins.

There are many over the counter and prescription drugs that contribute to dry mouth or a reduction in the saliva production vital to natural Gingivitis gum disease protection. Many remedies to the common cold or at least the symptoms of the cold can significantly reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth. Calcium altering drugs, some anti-seizure formulas, and immune system depressants are also leaders among saliva reducing drugs.

Bacteria are normally the culprits in a Gingivitis gum disease plot, but occasionally there can be other players causing the same symptoms such as virus or fungi. The herpes virus can infect the mouth and especially irritate the area between the teeth and gums. In addition to the swelling seen normally there will be small sores in the mouth to accompany the viral infection.

A more modern discovery to aid Gingivitis gum disease struggles is the item known as coenzyme Q-10. This is a naturally appearing substance in foods and your body that leaves vitamin C in the dust as an antioxidant. Research is still being performed on this substance, but the applications to gum health seem very powerful.

About the Author

Mandy actually knows what she is talking about. You can see more about gingivitis gum disease


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