The Body’s Response To Gingivitis

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a milder form of periodontitis, or gum disease. It causes swelling, irritation, and redness in the area of the gums around the teeth, called the gingiva. Untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss and damage to the bones that support the teeth (the mandible). Symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Gum recession.
• Tender gums.
• Dark red or darker gums.
• Swelling/puffiness in the gums.
• Bleeding gums when flossing or brushing.
• Bad breath.

If you notice any of the symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your oral hygienist immediately.

What are the body’s other responses to gingivitis?

Besides the loss of bone mass around the teeth, and the loss of teeth themselves, gingivitis can result in quite a few other problems. These problems are seemingly unrelated, but a new study has shown that gingivitis hosts can suffer a wide range of other issues thanks to the disease.

It’s only really bad when untreated

Gingivitis leads to periodontitis when untreated. So, again, make sure to meet up with your dentist as soon as you notice signs of gingivitis. Additionally, when untreated, and the gums begin to enflame, other symptoms emerge.

• Damage to soft tissue that supports the teeth.
• Loss of bone around said tissue and teeth.

The symptoms listed above are seemingly in lock-step with gingivitis and gum disease. They result from damage to the cells around the areas where plaque builds up. What about other symptoms though?

The seemingly unrelated symptoms and problems that gingivitis can cause

Heart disease

It’s long been known that atherosclerosis has been as risk factor of periodontitis. Atherosclerosis is the happens when the bacterial plaque that builds up in the gums makes its way to the blood stream. From there, it causes plaque build up in the heart that results in heart disease. This creates a risk of stroke and heart attack.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another risk that comes with gum disease. People with periodontitis are at significantly higher risk for diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes consume too much sugar, which in turn damages the teeth. Additionally, damaged and plaque-covered teeth weaken the body’s immune response to other ailments…such as diabetes.

Other risk factors that have been discovered due to gingivitis

• Cancer
• Bowel disease
• Arthritis

The body’s response

When gum disease happens, inflammation follows. This is the body’s natural response to tamp down the spread of bacterial infection in the mouth. Previously, scientists had only observed a strong clinical response to inflammation from gum disease, and a weak clinical response. The strong response involves immediate and intense reaction. The weaker response is simply less swelling and bodily activity in reaction to gingivitis.

Most recently, they have discovered a third type of response: a delayed inflammatory response to gum disease. They discovered that some people have a “slower” bodily reaction to gum disease, coupled with a slower build up of plaque on the teeth. 

In all groups, a unique and hitherto unknown microbial make up of the mouth was discovered. White blood cells in the mouth regulate the bacterial population of plaque to maintain a stable health condition. These white blood cells, called neutrophils, help resist bad bacterial colonization and maintain neutrality in the mouth. They help resist unhealthy bacterial infection, while maintaining the right balance for normal mouth bone and tissue activity. In the end, bacteria in the mouth (even some plaque) isn’t all bad. It’s the careful balance of not having too much that we need to keep track of.

Understanding variations in how the body reacts to gum disease inflammation also helps us understand who has weaker or stronger reactions to infections/inflammation in other parts of the body as well.

Keep your periodontal mouth and bone happy and healthy

Ensure that you are staying as healthy as possible orally by brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least once. Besides that drink plenty of water, go easy on sugar, and don’t forget to visit your dentist! You should set up an appointment at least every six months for a check-up, and see your dentist whenever any large issues are bothering you. If you need a dentist in the Carrollton Texas region, Josey Lane Dentistry is happy to help. In business since 2003, we specialize in preventative dentistry, oral surgery, and restorative practices such as bridges, crowns, and extractions. Let us know today how we can help you.