Gingivitis is the medical term for inflammation of the gums (gingiva), which is a mild form of gum disease, usually caused by a bacterial infection as a result of plaque formation.

Types of Gingivitis

Gingivitis may be of two types, depending upon the severity of the condition.

Chronic Gingivitis

Chronic gingivitis is the more common type of gingivitis and is closely linked to inadequate oral hygiene. In most cases, a person is unaware that they have chronic gingivitis and do not seek medical treatment until the symptoms become pronounced.

Slight bleeding and mild swelling of the gums are the first signs and symptoms. If attended to in the early stages, gingivitis may be totally reversible with simple measures such as brushing, flossing and cleaning.

continue reading What is Gingivitis? Types, Chronic and ANUG, Symptoms, Causes

Gum disease, also called periodontal (meaning “around the tooth”) disease, is an infection of the supporting tissues and bones around the teeth, which is usually caused by bacteria from plaque build-up. Gingivitis, normally the milder form of gum disease, may progress to periodontitis if left untreated for long.

Types of Gum Disease

• Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums (the tissues surrounding the teeth) due to mild infection.
  Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) or necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) is an extremely severe and invasive form of gingivitis.
• Periodontitis is a more severe form of infection which involves not only the gums but also the tissues and bones supporting the teeth below the gums. Periodontitis may be of different types :
  1. Chronic periodontitis.
  2. Aggressive periodontitis.
  3. Necrotizing periodontal diseases, such as necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP).
  4. Periodontitis as a result of systemic diseases.

continue reading What is Gum Disease? Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Preventing a tooth cavity involves a combination of understanding the possible risk factors and avoiding it in conjunction with undertaking the necessary preventative measures. Early treatment of tooth decay can often prevent the formation of cavities.

Causes and Risk Factors

Foods and Dietary Habits

• Diet rich in carbohydrates (sugar and starch). This may be related to poor dietary habits or sugar cravings (sweet tooth) which may be more common in states like pregnancy.
• Acidic foods and drinks, such as cola. In addition, regular cola is high in sugar.
• Prolonged contact of teeth with milk or fruit juice, as with babies put to sleep with a bottle of milk or fruit juice in their mouth.

continue reading Dental Cavities, Tooth Decay Causes, Prevention and Treatment

A tooth cavity is a decayed area in the tooth, forming a hole in the enamel (outer hard surface of the tooth), which gradually proceeds inwards. It is caused by gradual erosion of the tooth and if left untreated for a long period, it can involve the dentin layer of the tooth as well and may finally reach the pulp cavity. A cavity in the tooth may cause severe toothache and could ultimately lead to loss of the tooth.

The formation of cavities, or dental caries, caused by tooth decay is one of the most common tooth disorders that occur not only in children but in people of all ages. Cavities take a long time to form – often months or years – so the aim should be to detect and arrest tooth decay and prevent cavity formation in the very early stage.

continue reading What is a Tooth Cavity? Symptoms and Process of Dental Caries

The presence of blood in the mouth can be extremely worrying, especially if it is a spontaneous bleed with no clear etiology. Bleeding when coughing (hemoptysis), vomiting (hematemesis) or from the nose (epistaxis) indicates the most likely source of the bleed – the respiratory passages, gastrointestinal tract or nasal cavities respectively. Many of the causes of bleeding in these cases may also be responsible for bleeding from the mouth (stomatorrhagia).

In order to identify the most likely cause, it is important to take preceding events into consideration. Finding blood in the mouth is expected but nevertheless worrying and possibly serious after these conditions :

• after dental work
• postoperatively after surgery to the head or neck  (mouth, nose, nasal sinuses, pharynx, tonsils, larynx)
• after trauma to the head and neck

However, the sign of bleeding from the mouth in a situation where none of these events have previously occurred needs to be investigated further in order to quickly and accurately identify the site of the bleed. It is also important to identify whether the blood in the mouth was related to coughing, vomiting or a nosebleed.

continue reading Blood in the Mouth – Causes of Bleeding from the Mouth