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Bleeding GumsOverview of bleeding gums: Bleeding gums is also known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis is one of many periodontal diseases that affect the health of the periodontium (those tissues that surround the teeth and include the gums, soft tissues, and bone). Periodontal diseases are often classified according to their severity. They range from mild Gingivitis , to more severe periodontitis, and finally acute necrotizing ulcerative Gingivitis , which can be life threatening. Bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums. Although bacteria are normally found in our bodies and provide protective effects most of the time, bacteria can be harmful. The mouth is a great place for bacteria to live. The warm, moist environment and constant food supply are everything bacteria need to thrive. If not for a healthy immune system, bacteria in the mouth would rapidly reproduce out of control, overwhelming the body's defence system. An infection begins when the body's immune system is overwhelmed. Gingivitis is an infection that occurs when bacteria invade soft tissues, bone, and other places that bacteria should not be. At the moment of infection, bacteria no longer help us, they begin to harm us. Infections, like other diseases, range from mild to severe or life threatening. Causes of bleeding gums: Gingivitis is considered to be a bacterial infection of the gums. The exact reason why Gingivitis develops has not been proven, but several theories exist. For Gingivitis to develop, plaque must accumulate in the areas between the teeth. This plaque contains large numbers of bacteria thought to be responsible for Gingivitis . But it is not simply plaque that causes Gingivitis . Almost everyone has plaque on their teeth, but only a few develop Gingivitis . It is usually necessary for the person to have an underlying illness or take a particular medication that renders their immune system susceptible to Gingivitis . For example, people with leukemia and Wegner disease have changes in the blood vessels of their gums that allow Gingivitis to develop. Other people with diabetes, Addison disease, HIV, and other immune system diseases lack the ability to fight bacteria invading the gums. Sometimes hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, puberty, and steroid therapy leave the gums vulnerable to bacterial infection. A number of medications used for seizures, high blood pressure, and organ transplants can suppress the immune system and change the structure of the gums enough to permit bacterial infection. Symptoms of bleeding gums: Swelling, redness, pain, and bleeding of the gums are signs of Gingivitis . The breath begins to take on a foul odour. The gums begin to lose their normal structure and colour. The gums, which were once strong and pink, begin to recede and take on a beefy red, inflamed colour. Inflammation—a complex system by which bacteria-fighting cells of the body are recruited to an area of bacterial infection—plays a major role in Gingivitis . It is this inflammation of the gums that accounts for most of the symptoms of gingivitis. When bacteria first begin to invade the gums, proteins present in the saliva and soft tissues called antibodies coat the bacteria and weaken it, making it an easy target for the body's immune system. The cells that encounter the bacteria first attempt to kill it and, in the mean time, release chemicals into the bloodstream to call other cells to their aid. One particular cell called a macrophage is responsible for ingesting the bacteria and dissolving it with chemicals. This system works nicely, but it is not terribly efficient. While the invading bacteria are destroyed, chemicals used by the immune system cells to kill them are spilled into the surrounding tissues. This not only kills the bacteria but damages the nearby connective tissues and cells of the gums as well. The body sees this inflammation as a small price to pay for stopping the bacteria. This process will continue until the source of the infection is removed. Seeking medical attention: For simple Gingivitis , work with your dentist. A concerted effort between good home dental hygiene and regular dental visits should be all that is required to treat and prevent Gingivitis . If Gingivitis continues despite the effort to prevent it, contact your doctor to investigate the possibility of an underlying illness. Gingivitis can usually be managed at home with good dental hygiene. If Gingivitis turns into the most severe periodontal infection, acute necrotizing ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG), commonly referred to as trench mouth, treatment at a hospital may be required. ANUG not only affects the gums but may spread to adjacent tissues of the face, neck, and bone. Bleeding, loss of periodontal architecture, and pain all characterize ANUG. The breath takes on a fetid odour, the teeth become loose, and the lymph nodes of the neck are often swollen. People with ANUG often have fever and complain of a generalized weakness reflecting widespread infection. Like Gingivitis , ANUG usually affects people with underlying immune system situations such as malnutrition, HIV, or cancer. Therapy involves getting rid of the oral bacteria with antibacterial mouthwashes, oral antibiotics, periodontal treatment, and treatment of the underlying illness. Self Care at Home: The best home care for Gingivitis is prevention. Regular dental visits to remove plaque build-up are necessary to combat gingivitis. Once a dentist removes plaque, regular brushing and flossing will minimize plaque formation. Even with good dental hygiene, plaque will begin to accumulate again. Scrupulous attention to mouth hygiene is important and a variety of mouthwashes based on essential oils are a great help. The most valuable essential oils for fighting bacteria are Tea Tree and Thyme. Fennel and Mandarin essential oils are also valuable for strengthening the gums and Myrrh essential oil is excellent for its healing and tonic properties. Grapefruit essential oil is useful if there are mouth ulcers or gum infection. Gentle massage of the gums with a mouthwash will improve local circulation and help to speed up healing. Also if the gums are too sore to brush place a few drops of the mouthwash on your fingertips (after scrubbing your hands so that they are immaculately clean) and gently massage into the gums. Some formulas for mouth washes are below: MOUTHWASH 1 250ml cheap brandy 30 drops Peppermint essential oil 20 drops Thyme essential oil 10 drops Myrrh essential oil 10 drops Fennel essential oil MOUTHWASH 2 250ml cheap brandy 50 drops Tea Tree essential oil 30 drops Grapefruit essential oil To use these mouthwashes place the ingredients in a clean bottle and shake well then add 2 to 3 teaspoons to half a tumbler of warm water. |
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