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Pronunciations candidiasis corticosteroid cyclosporine desquamative gingivitis gingivostomatitis glossitis pericoronitis periodontal periodontitis phenytoin

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums (gingivae).

• Gingivitis results most often from inadequate brushing and flossing but may result from medical disorders or the use of certain drugs.
• The gums are red and swollen and bleed easily.
• Good oral hygiene, frequent professional cleanings, adequate nutrition, and mouthwashes usually help.

Gingivitis is an extremely common disease in which the gums become red and swollen and bleed easily. Gingivitis causes little pain in its early stages and thus may not be noticed. However, gingivitis that is left untreated may progress to periodontitis, a more severe gum disease that can result in tooth loss.

Plaque-Induced Gingivitis

Inadequate brushing and flossing is by far the most common cause of gingivitis. Without adequate brushing, plaque (a filmlike substance made up primarily of bacteria) remains along the gum line of the teeth. Plaque also accumulates in faulty fillings and around the teeth next to poorly cleaned partial dentures, bridges, and orthodontic appliances. When plaque stays on the teeth for more than 72 hours, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which cannot be completely removed by brushing and flossing.

The gums appear red rather than a healthy pink. They swell and become movable instead of being firm and tight against the teeth. The gums may bleed easily, especially while brushing or eating.

Plaque-induced gingivitis can be prevented with good oral hygiene—the daily use of a toothbrush and dental floss. Some mouthwashes also help control plaque. After tartar forms, it can be removed only by a dentist or dental hygienist. Depending on how fast tartar forms, people may need professional cleanings every 3 to 12 months. People with poor oral hygiene, medical conditions that can lead to gingivitis, or a tendency to develop plaque may need professional cleanings more often. Because of their excellent blood supply, gums quickly become healthy again after tartar and plaque are removed, as long as people brush and floss carefully.

Drug-Induced Gingivitis

Some drugs can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue, so that removing plaque becomes more difficult, and gingivitis often develops. Phenytoin Some Trade Names
DILANTIN
(taken to control seizures), cyclosporine Some Trade Names
SANDIMMUNE
NEORAL
(taken by people who have had organ transplants), and calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine Some Trade Names
ADALAT
PROCARDIA
(taken to control blood pressure and heart rhythm abnormalities) can cause such an overgrowth. Also, oral or injectable contraceptives can aggravate gingivitis, as can exposure to lead or bismuth (which is used extensively in cosmetics) or to other heavy metals such as nickel (used in jewelry).

Medical conditions that might cause or worsen gingivitis should be treated or controlled. If people must take a drug that causes gum tissue overgrowth, the excess gum tissue may need to be removed surgically. However, meticulous oral hygiene at home and frequent cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist may slow the rate of tissue growth and eliminate the need for surgery.

Gingivitis due to Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin deficiencies, in rare cases, can cause gingivitis. Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) can lead to inflamed, bleeding gums. Niacin deficiency (pellagra) also causes inflamed, bleeding gums and a predisposition to certain mouth infections, such as thrush, or to inflammation of the tongue (glossitis).

Vitamin C and niacin deficiencies can be treated with vitamin C and niacin supplements, plus a diet that includes more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gingivitis due to Infections

Viral infections can cause gingivitis. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis is a painful viral infection of the gums and other parts of the mouth caused by the herpes virus (see Viral Infections: Herpes Simplex Virus Infections). The infection turns the gums bright red and causes many small white or yellow sores to form inside the mouth.

Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis usually gets better in 2 weeks without treatment. Intensive cleaning does not help, so a person should brush gently while the infection is still painful. Dentists may recommend an anesthetic mouth rinse to relieve discomfort while eating and drinking.

Fungal infections can cause gingivitis as well. Fungi commonly grow in the mouth in very small amounts. Use of antibiotics or a change in overall health can increase the number of fungi in the mouth. Thrush (candidiasis) is a fungal infection in which the overgrowth of fungi, particularly Candida albicans, forms a white film that irritates the gums. This film can also coat the tongue and corners of the mouth and leaves a bleeding surface if wiped away (see Fungal Infections: Candidiasis).

Thrush can be treated with an antifungal drug, such as nystatin Some Trade Names
MYCOSTATIN
NILSTAT
, in the form of a mouth rinse or a lozenge designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth. Good oral hygiene (proper brushing and flossing) and treatment of underlying dental problems, such as ill-fitting dentures, can also help. Dentures can be soaked overnight in nystatin Some Trade Names
MYCOSTATIN
NILSTAT
solution as well.

Gingivitis due to Pregnancy

Pregnancy can worsen mild gingivitis, primarily because of hormonal changes. Some pregnant women may unknowingly contribute to the problem by neglecting oral hygiene because they feel nauseated in the morning (morning sickness). Also, during pregnancy, a minor irritation, often the buildup of tartar, may cause a lumplike overgrowth of gum tissue, called a pregnancy tumor. The bloated tissue bleeds easily if injured and may interfere with eating.

If pregnant women are neglecting oral hygiene because of morning sickness, dentists can suggest ways to keep the teeth and gums clean without exacerbating the nausea. Gentle brushing without toothpaste or even salt water rinses after brushing can help. A bothersome pregnancy tumor can be surgically removed. However, such tumors tend to recur until, and even after, the pregnancy ends.

Gingivitis due to Menopause

Menopause can cause desquamative gingivitis, a poorly understood, painful condition that occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women. In this condition, the outer layers of the gums separate from the underlying tissue, exposing nerve endings. The gums become so loose that the outer layers can be rubbed away with a cotton swab or blown off with a dentist's air syringe.

If desquamative gingivitis develops during menopause, hormone replacement therapy may help. Otherwise, dentists may prescribe a corticosteroid rinse or a corticosteroid paste that is applied directly to the gums.

Gingivitis due to Leukemia

Leukemia can cause gingivitis. In fact, gingivitis is the first sign of disease in about 25% of children with leukemia. An infiltration of leukemia cells into the gums causes the gingivitis, and a reduced ability to fight infections worsens it. The gums appear red and bleed easily. Often, the bleeding continues for several minutes or more because blood does not clot normally in people with leukemia.

A person with gingivitis of leukemia can prevent bleeding by gently wiping the teeth and gums with a gauze pad or sponge instead of brushing and flossing. Dentists can prescribe chlorhexidine Some Trade Names
HIBICLENS
mouth rinse to control plaque and prevent mouth infections. When the leukemia is in remission (when evidence of the cancer disappears), good dental care can restore the gums to health.

Gingivitis due to an Impacted Tooth (Pericoronitis)

Gingivitis can develop in the gums surrounding the crown of an impacted tooth (a tooth that has not fully emerged). In this condition, called pericoronitis, the gum swells over the tooth that has not fully emerged. The flap of gum over the partially emerged tooth can trap fluids, bits of food, and bacteria.

Pericoronitis most commonly occurs with wisdom teeth, particularly the lower wisdom teeth. If the upper wisdom tooth emerges before the lower one, it may bite on this flap, increasing the irritation. Infections can develop and spread to the throat or cheek.

When people have pericoronitis, dentists may flush under the flap of gum to rinse out the debris and bacteria. If x-rays show that a lower tooth is not likely to emerge completely, dentists may remove the upper tooth and prescribe antibiotics for a few days before removing the lower one. Sometimes dentists remove the lower tooth immediately.

Last full review/revision October 2008 by James T. Ubertalli, DMD