What is gingivitis?
The gingiva is your gums. Having "-itis" at the end of a word means inflammation. Gingivitis is when your gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. Gingivitis that isn't treated can cause serious tooth and gum problems such as periodontitis Periodontitis Periodontitis is severe gum disease that can make your teeth loose or fall out. Infection weakens the tissue that holds your teeth in place Symptoms include sore, swollen or bleeding gums, bad... read more .
What causes gingivitis?
Almost all gingivitis is caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky film full of germs that builds up on your teeth. The most common cause of too much plaque is:
Plaque that stays on your teeth for more than a few days becomes hard. Hard plaque is called tartar. You can't remove tartar completely by brushing and flossing.
You can also get gingivitis from:
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Taking certain medicines
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Not getting enough vitamin C or niacin
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Hormonal changes (for example, because of pregnancy or menopause Menopause Menopause is when women stop having periods (stop menstruating) and can no longer get pregnant. Menopause usually happens after age 40. In the United States, the average age for menopause is... read more )
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Having an infection in your mouth
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An impacted tooth (a tooth that hasn’t fully broken through your gum)
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
How do dentists treat gingivitis?
How can I prevent gingivitis?
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
niacin |
NIACOR, NIASPAN |
