In time, your gums become
swollen and bleed
easily. Tooth decay (dental caries) also may result. If not treated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.
Can gingivitis cause other health problems?
Gum disease may increase your risk of all kinds of other health complications, including
stroke, diabetes and heart disease
. Gum disease has even been linked with problems in pregnancy and dementia.
What can happen if left untreated gingivitis?
Gingivitis happens when bacteria infect the gums, often making them swollen, red and quick to bleed. You can successfully manage gingivitis, especially with the help of a dentist. But left untreated, the condition can lead to
periodontitis
, a more severe type of gum disease.
Can gingivitis cause serious problems?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums, or gingiva. It commonly occurs because a film of plaque, or bacteria, accumulates on the teeth. Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, but untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This is more serious and can
eventually lead to loss of teeth
.
What are the long term effects of gingivitis?
Left untreated, gingivitis can turn to periodontitis. As tartar advances, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming
periodontal pockets
which harbor even more bacteria. These pockets allow the infection to live on in an area that you can’t reach with brushing or flossing.
How long does it usually take to get rid of gingivitis?
How long does it take to get rid of gingivitis? You can expect to see improvements after a few days of treatment, but it may take a while for symptoms to go away completely. In most cases, gingivitis usually clears up within
10 to 14 days
. If your gingivitis is more serious, it could take longer to treat.
What is the fastest way to cure gingivitis?
- Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush around each tooth. …
- Floss Your Teeth Once a Day. Plaque loves to hide in between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. …
- Use a Fluoride Mouth Rinse. …
- Don’t Skip Dental Appointments. …
- Avoid Sugary Foods and Beverages.
How bad can gingivitis get?
It commonly occurs because a film of plaque, or bacteria, accumulates on the teeth. Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, but untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This is more serious and can
eventually lead to loss of teeth
.
Can gingivitis go away on its own?
Gingivitis can be treated with good dental care from your dentist and at home.
Gingivitis can go away
, but may come back if you do not keep cleaning your teeth properly at home.
Can you have gingivitis for years?
Some people have severe gingivitis
for many years without
developing periodontitis. Others may develop periodontitis, especially at early ages (20 to 30 years old), without first having significant gingivitis.
How long does it take for gingivitis to turn into periodontitis?
Slight Periodontal Disease
During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days.
Within two to three weeks
, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.
Can gingivitis make you sick?
Gum disease may
increase your risk of getting respiratory infections
, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to the Journal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.
How does gingivitis look like?
Gingivitis can cause
dusky red, swollen, tender gums that bleed
easily, especially when you brush your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fitted tightly around the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums.
Should I be worried about gingivitis?
Should you be concerned?
Yes
, you should be concerned. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease, when the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth become inflamed, red, and swollen. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, the severe form of gum disease that often leads to tooth loss.
How does gingivitis affect the immune system?
If you have gingivitis, for example, your immune cells will spread into your gums to help destroy the bacteria that are causing the infection. Your gums
will swell and become inflamed
as your body attempts to remove the bacteria.
Can gingivitis cause heart palpitations?
Gum disease does not directly cause palpitations
, but it increases the risk of heart disease, which is a trigger. The bacteria present in gingivae can spread to the surrounding tissues and the bloodstream, causing inflammation.
