Gingivitis

Aka: Gingivitis

1. Definition
   1. Gum local inflammation without the bone loss seen in Periodontitis
2. Causes
   1. Plaque
   2. Calculus
   3. Food accretion
3. Symptoms
   1. Painless swelling and erythema of the gums
   2. Gums bleed easily with tooth brushing and flossing
   3. Halitosis
4. Signs
   1. Gingival margin redness and swelling
   2. Bulbous interdental papillae
   3. Disappearance of normal stippling
   4. Easy bleeding with light contact
5. Course
   1. Tooth mobility or migration
   2. Gingival recession
6. Complications
   1. See Periodontal Disease
   2. Tooth loss (Periodontitis)
7. Management
   1. See Oral Hygiene below
   2. Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% rinse (Peridex) or
   3. Hexetidine 0.1% rinse (Oraldene) or
   4. Listerine antiseptic
8. Prevention: Oral Hygiene
   1. See Oral Health
   2. Frequent tooth brushing, flossing and fluoride rinses
   3. Newer toothpastes contain antibiotic Triclosan
      1. Colgate Total and Crest Multicare
      2. Reduces Plaque and Gingivitis up to 50%
      3. No signs of Antibiotic Resistance
   4. References
      1. (7/4/97) FDA Talk Paper
      2. (12/29/97) WSJ
      3. (1996) J Clin Dent (7 Suppl):S199
9. References
   1. Nguyen (2008) Am Fam Physician 77:797-806