Healthy gums are pale pink, dense and do not react to touch. When something goes wrong, it is noticeable:

• The gums have turned red or acquired a rich dark red tint
• Appeared swelling: the tissue appears loose and enlarged
• Bleeding when brushing teeth or even without visible irritation
• Pain when chewing, touching or at rest
• Purulent discharge or persistent unpleasant odor from the inflamed area

One of these signs is - already a reason to make an appointment with a doctor. Several at once is a reason to do it urgently.

Plaque and tartar

Bacteria in plaque constantly release substances that irritate the gingival margin. At first, the reaction is weak - slight redness and bleeding when brushing. But when the plaque hardens into stone, it can no longer be removed with a brush. The inflammation becomes chronic and sinks deeper over time.

Periodontitis

In this disease, inflammation destroys not only the gum, but also the bone tissue around the tooth. A pocket forms between the tooth and the gum - bacteria accumulate inside it and the hardened plaque becomes inflamed, often secretes pus and hurts. pressure.

Abscess

A purulent focus in the tissues around the tooth or inside the gum itself. The pain is sharp, throbbing, intensifies with the slightest pressure. A dense lump is often visible in the area of inflammation. This is an emergency: the infection spreads quickly.

Eruption of a wisdom tooth

When. the eighth tooth is partially erupted, a fold of gum tissue remains above its crown. Food debris and bacteria accumulate under it, inflammation develops - pericoronitis. The pain can be very severe, and sometimes the body temperature rises. gingival margin. In such cases, inflammation is local and usually goes away after the irritant is eliminated.

Stomatitis

Painful ulcers on the oral mucosa - aphthous or herpetic. Appear on the gums, inner surface of the lips and cheeks. Provoking factors: stress, hypothermia, decreased immunity, some foods. nutrition.

Reaction to a dental structure

A crown, bridge or removable denture can put pressure on the gum if the structure does not fit correctly. In this case, inflammation appears in the area of ​​contact with the denture and goes away after correction.

A visit to the dentist is the first thing you should do when you have gum inflammation. But if you can't get an appointment right away, a few simple steps can help reduce discomfort.

Continue brushing your teeth, even if your gums are painful. Bacteria in plaque maintain inflammation, and skipping brushing is a bad idea. means giving them time. Rinse your mouth with a solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin 2-3 times a day. If there is pain, take ibuprofen or paracetamol in a standard dosage. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress externally to the cheek for 10-15 minutes. What you definitely shouldn’t do: warm the inflamed area, take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, and try to open the abscess on your own. Antibiotics without eliminating the cause give a temporary effect and create bacterial resistance. And opening an abscess on your own is a direct path to the spread of infection.

The doctor first understands the cause, and only then prescribes treatment. The same inflammation may require different approaches.

• Professional hygiene eliminates the main source of inflammation - plaque and tartar. After complete cleaning mild inflammation goes away on its own in 1–2 weeks.
• Curettage is needed when periodontal pockets have formed. The doctor cleans their walls from the inside with special instruments, removes the altered tissue and smoothes the root surface. This creates conditions for the gum to reattach to the tooth.
• Opening the abscess. carried out under anesthesia: the doctor makes a small incision, ensures the drainage of pus and rinses the cavity with an antiseptic. If necessary, prescribes antibiotics.
• Rinsing for pericoronitis helps in mild cases. If the situation repeats, removal of the wisdom tooth is considered.
• Correction of a prosthesis or filling - if the reason is the pressure of the structure, the doctor grinds or remodels it. The inflammation goes away as soon as the irritant is eliminated.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes make the gums more susceptible to bacteria. Inflammation appears even with good hygiene - this is called pregnancy gingivitis. It is necessary to treat it: studies show that chronic inflammation in the oral cavity is associated with the risk of premature birth. Most procedures are safe in the second trimester, the doctor selects the amount of intervention individually.

Inflammation of the gums in most cases is prevented by following several rules:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft brush using the correct technique without pressure.
• Dental floss or irrigator every day: exactly in the interdental spaces where the brush does not reach, inflammation most often begins.
• Professional hygiene once every 6 months: everyone develops tartar, and it can only be removed by a doctor.
• Timely dental treatment: caries and old fillings with overhanging edges are a constant source of irritation for gums.

If the gums are inflamed and do not go away, come for a consultation with a periodontist at KAN in Tashkent. The doctor will find out the cause, make an accurate diagnosis and offer a treatment plan.

Call +998 (78) 113-73-33 or leave a request - the administrator will call you back and select a convenient time.

Address: Tashkent, Mirzo Ulugbek st., 51B - Mon-Sat from 9:00 to 21:00, Sunday - closed.

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