{"id":3830,"date":"2020-11-28T13:52:57","date_gmt":"2020-11-28T18:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/?p=3830"},"modified":"2021-02-23T11:49:35","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:49:35","slug":"gingivitis-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/gingivitis-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Gingivitis: Causes, symptoms and treatment options"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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How often do you think about your chompers? Sure, you probably brush your teeth once or even twice a day like your mom taught you to do. But the reality is that most of us probably just expect our teeth to do their job and don\u2019t waste time worrying about them \u2014 until they start to hurt. Gingivitis could be the cause of this pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

This laid-back attitude about oral health has a scary impact. In the US, a country generally noted to have high hygiene and healthcare standards, an astonishing <\/span>47.2% of adults<\/span><\/a> over age 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Up the age to 65, and that statistic shoots up to 70.1%!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our teeth could use a little more tender loving care than they are getting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowledge is power, and to help you on your quest to level up your oral wellness, we\u2019ve got some information for you about gingivitis, the extremely common precursor to periodontal disease. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for gingivitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Gingivitis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

What happens when you have a dirty mouth? No, not the kind that will have you adding to the swear jar. The actual dirty kind when you have that gross, sticky film on your teeth known as plaque.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Well, you might be okay for a few days, but let that plaque sit on your teeth for too long, and you\u2019ll have a storm brewing in your mouth. Plaque both harbors bacteria and produces toxins that are harmful to your gums.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over not that much time, the presence of built-up plaque can lead to gingivitis \u2014 an inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is concerning because it can lead to periodontal disease and, eventually, tooth loss if left untreated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t always easy to catch gingivitis because, in the beginning, stages it\u2019s typically painless. Your gums may be tender, but it usually isn\u2019t until the disease progresses that you start to feel outright pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Causes Gingivitis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Think that as long as your teeth look clean, they are clean? Think again. Plaque, the sticky stuff that is a happy home for bacteria, is invisible. Plaque that is not removed from your teeth will eventually form into tartar, a hard substance that is more difficult to remove and may require a visit to a friendly neighborhood <\/span>dentist near you<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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This substance begins to irritate and cause inflammation in your gums \u2014 which is gingivitis. Left unchecked, dental caries (cavities) can result, and the gingivitis can advance into periodontal disease, which may mean you will eventually lose teeth and possibly part of your jawbone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gingivitis, these other factors play a significant role as well:<\/span><\/p>\n