Poor dental hygiene is the most common cause of gingivitis. People with gingivitis may experience irritated, red, and swollen gums around the base of their teeth. They may also notice loose teeth or bleeding when brushing and flossing. Over time, the condition can cause the gums to turn white and recede.
One of the most noticeable signs of gum disease is red, swollen, irritated gums. But what happens if your gums turn white, become pale, or develop white or grayish spots? This might be a condition called leukoplakia, which is a symptom of several potential types of gum disease or irritation.
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.
In the first stage of periodontitis, called gingivitis, you may notice red, swollen gums and bad breath. Gums might also bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis, which is reversible, can be treated by improving at-home dental care and visiting your dentist regularly for treatment.
In addition to regular professional cleanings, simply brushing and flossing well at home is another way to reverse gingivitis. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing every day to help fight gum disease and tooth decay.
White gums can be a sign of serious conditions, such as oral cancer, so it is essential to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Early treatment can reduce the risk of complications and improve the long-term outlook.
What causes pale gums? Pale gums may indicate that a person has anemia, which is often the result of an iron deficiency. Painful or white gums may also be a sign of an underlying condition. Healthy gums should be a relatively consistent shade of pink.
Topical products
Over-the-counter and prescription products (pastes, creams, gels or liquids) may help relieve pain and speed healing if applied to individual sores as soon as they appear. Some products have active ingredients, such as: Benzocaine (Anbesol, Kank-A, Orabase, Zilactin-B) Fluocinonide (Lidex, Vanos)
In the next 24-48 hours following surgery the gum tissue will begin to heal, which involves the formation of granulation tissue. This tissue is typically white or cloudy over the incision, which sometimes causes concern for patients, but it is normal for healing gum tissue.
How long does it take to treat gingivitis? Patients who comply with their dentist's recommendations will often see their condition reduce dramatically within two or three weeks. More serious stages of gingivitis may take longer to see results.
Drinking water keeps your body's tissues healthy and hydrated–including gum tissue. Healthy gum tissue helps prevent infection. Drinking water washes away the bacteria that cause gingivitis. It improves saliva production, which helps fight gum disease by washing away harmful bacteria.
As long as you seek treatment and comply with your dentist's instructions, gingivitis will dramatically reduce within a few weeks.
(We know a lot of people want to avoid the dentist if they can.) What is the fastest way to cure gingivitis? The fastest way to cure gingivitis is to maintain daily oral hygiene, avoid sugary foods and foods high in acids, drink plenty of water, and practice effective home treatment.
Your dentist or periodontist will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove harmful bacteria, plaque and tartar. Additional gingivitis treatments include: Scaling and root planing: This procedure is similar to a routine dental cleaning, but reaches deeper beneath your gums. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria.
Salt water can help to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Salt has healing properties that can treat and heal inflamed or swollen gums caused by gum disease. Even though salt water is extremely effective in helping to treat gum disease, salt water cannot cure gum disease.
Like other organs and tissues of your body, when your gum tissues don't get enough oxygen, they may turn pale. There are several causes that can trigger anemia. It is usually caused due to the deficiency of iron, folate, or vitamin b-12.
In the early stage of gum disease—called gingivitis—signs such as bleeding gums and slight gum recession are ignored. However, if not addressed in the early stages, it is possible to experience swollen gums that are constantly tender, chills, fever, and a runny nose.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is a more serious form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss and chronic health conditions. There are four stages of gum disease: gingivitis, early periodontitis, moderate periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.
Gingivitis can cause severe gum diseases and tooth loss. However, with proper dental hygiene, reversing gingivitis is possible. Brushing your teeth at least thrice per day and flossing can reverse the condition. Use antibacterial mouthwash and rinse your teeth for at least 30 seconds after brushing.