Sinusitis

Catarrhal gingivitis disease. Acute catarrhal gingivitis

Serous inflammation of gum tissue is a common oral disease.

Children and adults under thirty years of age are more susceptible to it; in older people it occurs less frequently, usually as chronic. According to statistics, men get it more often than women.

The causes of catarrhal gingivitis are the formation of microbial plaques on the part of the teeth adjacent to the gums.

This happens due to:

Improper or insufficient oral hygiene;
Violations of the self-cleaning mechanism of teeth;
Reducing the amount of saliva, drying the mouth;
Mouth breathing;
Open carious cavities in teeth;
High carbohydrate diet, including indulgence in sweets.

Microorganisms from the plaque produce toxins, to the presence of which the soft gum tissues react with inflammation.

In addition, the etiology of catarrhal gingivitis includes such local factors as:

Increased acidity of the oral cavity;
Complicated teething, malocclusion;
Poor quality fillings, prosthetics, installation of orthodontic structures;
Smoking or chewing tobacco;
Injuries to teeth and gums.

Pathogenesis is also influenced by systemic causes that cause a decline in immunity:

Various infectious diseases, from ARVI to syphilis;
Disorders of the endocrine system, diabetes mellitus, hormonal imbalances;
Malfunctions of the digestive tract;
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Classification and stages of occurrence

According to the course of the disease, catarrhal gingivitis is divided into acute and chronic:

Acute catarrhal gingivitis manifests itself and develops quickly. With adequate therapy, it also heals quickly, leaving no consequences for the body;
The chronic course is undulating, periods of exacerbation are interspersed with remission, when the symptoms are less noticeable.

There are three degrees of severity, or stages of disease development:

Mild, in which only the interdental papillae become inflamed;
Middle, covering the outer and adjacent parts of the gums;
Severe, in which the underlying periodontal tissues are affected.

According to the degree of distribution, catarrhal gingivitis is divided into localized and generalized.

When localized, the area of one or more adjacent teeth is affected.

In generalized cases, the gums of one or both jaws become completely inflamed.

Generalized catarrhal gingivitis is often a consequence of systemic infections or malfunctions of the body.

The code according to ICD 10 (International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition) is K05.9, for the acute form, K05.10 - for the chronic form.

Symptoms and signs

In the acute form of gum inflammation, the following are characteristic:

Swelling in the affected area, interdental papillae acquire a dome-shaped shape;
Bleeding gums;
Pain that worsens when touching foreign objects;
The enamel of the teeth is covered with a yellowish or gray coating.

With severe gingivitis, in some cases, the temperature rises and general health worsens.

Clinical symptoms of the chronic form of the disease:

The gums thicken and become bluish in color;
The interdental papillae become red, increase in volume, and peel off from the teeth;
Bleeding occurs from the slightest irritants, there is a taste of blood in the mouth;
Unpleasant smell.

During an exacerbation, symptoms intensify.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by a dentist during examination, based on external signs.

To determine the degree of disease, dental indices of the amount of microbial plaque, the intensity of inflammation and the level of bleeding are determined.

If necessary, studies such as:

Rheoparodontography, the study of pulsations of the electrical resistance of the gums, allows one to assess the tone of the gum vessels;
Orthopantomography, to determine the presence of bone lesions;
Vital microscopy;
Biopsy followed by morphological examination of samples.

When carrying out differential diagnosis, acute catarrhal gingivitis is differentiated from hypertrophic gingivitis, mild hypertrophic periodontitis.

The catarrhal type is characterized by manifestations of various intraoral dermatoses.

Treatment method

The primary task in treatment is to remove the cause of the disease - plaque deposits. Professional cleaning is followed by polishing.

Polished teeth look more aesthetically pleasing and are less susceptible to the formation of biofilm from microorganisms and bacterial plaques.

Cleaning is not used in the local treatment of chronic catarrhal gingivitis in the acute phase until the symptoms of inflammation are relieved, due to the high traumatic and painful nature of the affected gums.

In addition to cleaning, you should deal with other local factors that provoked gum inflammation.

Problematic fillings and dentures are replaced, and, if necessary, teeth affected by caries and stomatitis are treated.

Sanitation of the oral cavity is followed by teaching the patient the correct methods of brushing teeth.

It is important to choose the right toothbrush and dental brush for hard-to-reach places, an irrigator, and dental floss. The patient is recommended to have a minimally traumatic diet that does not irritate the inflamed gums.

With mild gingivitis, the above measures are enough for the body to cope with the disease. If you skip this stage, the inflammation in the oral cavity will slow down the treatment.

More severe degrees of the disease require drug treatment.

The following methods are used:

Rinsing the mouth with an antiseptic solution, furatsilina;
Decoctions of herbs: St. John's wort, yarrow, chamomile and others.
For severe pain, painkillers and topical anesthesia are used.
Physiotherapeutic procedures: UHF therapy, electrophoresis, gum massage.

To hold the composition on the area of inflammation, gum bandages, mouth guards, and dental films are used.

For chronic or severe gum inflammation, antibiotics are prescribed. If their use is impossible for some reason, non-steroidal antimicrobial drugs are used.

If gingivitis is a symptom of a systemic disorder, then its treatment is also required, which will require consultation with a doctor of the appropriate specialization.

After completion of treatment, toothpaste and mouthwash are selected individually. To consolidate the results of therapy, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory pastes are used.

You should avoid red-colored pastes that can mask bleeding.

Possible consequences and prevention

If left untreated and ignored, the disease becomes chronic - a much more serious ulcerative-necrotizing gingivitis or periodontitis.

If you seek the help of a doctor in time, the disease goes away without consequences for the body.

To prevent gingivitis, you should carefully maintain oral hygiene, preventing the appearance of plaque and its transformation into tartar, and if tartar does form, resort to professional teeth cleaning at a dental clinic.

High-quality, timely treatment of teeth affected by caries is necessary. Since gingivitis can occur due to injury, you should be wary of traumatic situations.

– periodontal disease, characterized by serous (catarrhal) inflammation of the gums. Local changes in catarrhal gingivitis include swelling, hyperemia (or cyanosis) of the gum mucosa, soreness and bleeding of the gingival margin, the presence of dental plaque, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. In the diagnosis of catarrhal gingivitis, clinical examination, determination of dental indices, and x-ray examination are used. Treatment of catarrhal gingivitis can be local (removal of dental plaque, periodontal applications and dressings, physiotherapy, massage) and general (taking anti-inflammatory, desensitizing, vitamin preparations).

General information

Catarrhal gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that affects the superficial periodontal tissues and occurs without damage to the periodontal attachment. In dentistry, the following clinical and morphological forms of gingivitis are distinguished: catarrhal, erosive-ulcerative, hypertrophic, plasmacytic, desquamative, granulomatous and atrophic. In the structure of inflammatory lesions of the gums, catarrhal gingivitis occurs most often - in 90% of cases. Typically, catarrhal gingivitis is diagnosed in children and young people (up to 30 years). Men are more likely to develop catarrhal gingivitis than women.

Reasons

Catarrhal gingivitis occurs under the influence of local and systemic factors. Catarrhal gingivitis in children may be associated with the process of teething; in this case, after the tooth crown leaves the gum, the inflammation subsides.

Local factors contributing to the development of catarrhal gingivitis may include tooth trauma (crown fracture, tooth dislocation, etc.), cervical caries, malocclusion, dental anomalies (dystopia, crowding) and soft tissues of the oral cavity (short labial frenulum, small vestibule); unsatisfactory dental care, tartar, defects in fillings, dentures, aesthetic veneers or orthodontic appliances, etc.

In the etiology of catarrhal gingivitis, general factors play an important role, causing the increased susceptibility of some people to inflammatory periodontal diseases. These include such physiological periods of life as puberty, pregnancy, menopause; bad habits (smoking); diseases (diabetes mellitus, gastric ulcer, chronic hepatitis, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, leukemia, HIV infection, etc.); viral infections (flu, ARVI); hypo- and vitamin deficiencies (scurvy, pellagra); taking medications (cytostatics, immunosuppressants, oral hormonal contraceptives).

Currently, the generally accepted trigger for the development of catarrhal gingivitis is the presence of dental plaque (microbial plaque, or biofilm). The composition of the microbial plaque includes aerobic (staphylococci, streptococci, actinomycetes) and anaerobic microorganisms (fusobacteria, prevotella, porphyromonas, treponema, etc.) with a predominance of the latter. The damaging potential of microbial accumulations largely depends on the state of the body's defenses and immune status. Thus, the main provoking factors in the development of catarrhal gingivitis are unsatisfactory oral hygiene and a violation of the general homeostasis of the body.

Classification

Depending on the nature of the course, catarrhal gingivitis can be acute or chronic. According to the extent of inflammation, catarrhal gingivitis can have a localized (in the area of 1-3 teeth) or a generalized, diffuse (in the area of one or both jaws) form.

Taking into account the severity of the lesion, periodontology distinguishes 3 degrees of catarrhal gingivitis:

mild – with inflammatory lesions of the periodontal papillae
medium – with inflammation of the interdental and free gingival area (marginal part of the gums)
severe - involving the entire gum, including its alveolar part, in the inflammatory process.

Symptoms of catarrhal gingivitis

In acute catarrhal gingivitis, hyperemia and swelling of the gums in the area of several or all teeth are determined. Bleeding gums are characteristic, the severity of which depends on the intensity of inflammation. There is a burning sensation and pain in the affected areas. Pain and bleeding of the gum mucosa intensify during eating, palpation, brushing teeth, and probing. With rare exceptions, the general condition of catarrhal gingivitis is usually not affected. In severe cases of catarrhal gingivitis, hyperthermia, muscle pain, and general malaise may occur.

In the chronic form of catarrhal gingivitis, the gums acquire a cyanotic color (congestive hyperemia) and a roller-like thickening. Bleeding occurs at the slightest injury. There is a feeling of swelling in the gums, a constant taste of blood, and often bad breath. During the period of exacerbation, real complaints intensify.

Upon examination, a change in the color and relief of the gums is revealed: it becomes bright red and loose; the gingival margin loses its scalloping; interdental papillae acquire a dome-shaped shape; sometimes areas of mucosal desquamation and single erosions are identified. The presence of an increased content of non-mineralized dental plaque or tartar is typical. There are no pathological periodontal pockets with catarrhal gingivitis; teeth remain stable and immobile.

Diagnostics

Catarrhal gingivitis is diagnosed during an examination of the oral cavity by a qualified dentist or periodontist based on the above clinical signs and subjective sensations, adjusted for objective and instrumental data.

To assess the local status of catarrhal gingivitis, dental indices are used - semi-quantitative indicators reflecting the condition of the oral cavity: the Silnes-Loe or Green-Vermilion index (to determine the amount of microbial plaque in the cervical area), the papillary-marginal-alveolar index (Schiller-Pisarev test to assess the intensity of inflammation), probe test (to assess the degree of gum bleeding), etc.

Of particular interest in catarrhal gingivitis may be the data of rheoparodontography, vital microscopy, Doppler flowmetry, which allows one to assess microcirculation in periodontal tissues. According to indications, an analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the gingival fluid, a biopsy and a morphological study of gum tissue are carried out.

Panoramic radiography and orthopantomography in patients with catarrhal gingivitis do not detect changes in the alveolar bone; in rare cases, with a long course of chronic gingivitis, osteoporosis or resorption of the compact lamina of interdental septa may be detected. Chronic catarrhal gingivitis should be distinguished from the edematous form of hypertrophic gingivitis, mild periodontitis, intraoral manifestations of various dermatoses - lichen planus, therapeutic dressings, the development of periodontitis.

Greetings, dear site visitors. Many of you know that a disease such as catarrhal gingivitis is very common in dentistry. This is not uncommon - patients with similar symptoms visit dentists more regularly than they would like. Considering how many bacteria live in the mouth of any person, it is not surprising that at times they can create certain problems for us. Not all microorganisms that live on teeth, gums, and mucous membranes are harmless. They constantly multiply and come from the outside (from dirty hands, objects that we put in our mouths).

What are we dealing with?

Catarrhal gingivitis is one of the most common forms of gingivitis. Like many other diseases, it occurs in acute or chronic forms. The acute form usually affects children, adolescents, and people under the age of 30-35 years. After this period, chronic gingivitis is more common.

If you think that the cause of the disease is solely poor oral hygiene, then this is not so.

The etiology of catarrhal gingivitis is well studied. Sometimes this disease can be a consequence of other disorders in the body. Including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, disorders of the immune system, etc. Even some problems with hormones can lead to such manifestations.

But these reasons are general. Local ones are associated with tartar and heavy plaque, which was not removed in a timely manner. Incorrect bite and unsuitable correction means for a particular patient can also have an impact (). Even the dentist who performs prosthetic procedures or installs dental fillings may be at fault.

There are also risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, smoking, past infectious diseases (flu, sore throat, tuberculosis infection), immunodeficiency conditions, including AIDS. Also, similar manifestations occur with heavy metal poisoning. It is also worth paying attention to the amount of vitamin C in the patient’s diet. Some people have this reaction to the use of oral contraceptives. The body is unpredictable; you can never guess how it will behave in a given situation.

Forms and manifestations

The acute form appears suddenly for the patient and has clearly expressed symptoms, thanks to the presence of which he begins to take some action to eliminate the problem.

If a person stubbornly refuses to treat gingivitis, the disease becomes chronic and can appear at any time.

Catarrhal gingivitis can be small in scale - a small area of the gum is affected. Then it is called localized. If the inflammation covers the gum completely, this is already generalized gingivitis of the catarrhal type.

There are only three degrees of severity.

In the initial (mild) stage, the periodontal papilla is affected. It increases in size, pain and redness appear.
With moderate severity, the inflammation covers the free area of the gum.
In severe cases, the alveolar part.

Catarrhal gingivitis - manifestations in childhood

For parents, any child's problems always seem more serious than they actually are. However, the phenomenon of catarrhal gingivitis in children should not be underestimated either. Firstly, gum inflammation is always unsafe. Secondly, the presence of such a process may indicate other problems in the body or the oral cavity in particular.

It is important to find the source of the problem. After all, inflammatory manifestations are just the tip of the iceberg.

The disease affects children aged 2 years and older. In most cases, these children do not remove plaque from the surface of their teeth well, which provokes the growth of bacteria. Children also put dirty hands into their mouths, which often leads to infections.

Catarrhal gingivitis in children

For inflammation of the gums to form, it is enough not to remove plaque from the teeth for 1.5-2 days. This leads to the rapid spread of anaerobic bacteria, which, in turn, provoke the appearance of an inflammatory process. Problems are also caused by malocclusion, crowded teeth, edentia, caries, and gum injuries. By the way, soft tissues can be injured if improperly cleaned or if the bristles are too hard.

Another factor that should definitely be taken into account when diagnosing is both milk and first permanent ones.

Often the cause is poorly processed filling edges. If they block the interdental spaces, interfering with normal oral hygiene, this can lead to inflammatory manifestations in the gum area between the filled teeth.

Also, with advanced stomatitis in a child, catarrhal gingivitis becomes a consequence of the fact that the parents of the young patient ignored the need for timely consultation with a doctor or at least the simplest procedures with soda, chlorhexidine and other available means.

If children eat hot or spicy foods, this can cause discomfort and even pain in the gums. They may itch and bleed noticeably. Usually there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth. The patient does not taste food correctly.

Video - Forms of gingivitis in children

Preventive measures

What should you do or not do to avoid such problems? First of all, don't forget to brush your teeth. If you have a stone, contact a specialist to remove it. The sooner you do this, the better.

Treatment methods for adults and children

Let's move on to the next question, when it's too late to drink Borjomi. That is, the patient did not carry out prevention and it is necessary to deal with existing causes and consequences.

Treatment for catarrhal gingivitis differs from person to person. First, you need to individually determine the cause.

If there are caries, defects in the lips, tongue frenulum, bite, which lead to problems, they need to be eliminated, so as not to bother with relapses later.

It is also worth checking whether everything is in order with the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, and immunity. You may need complex treatment. Often, in addition to the dentist, you have to visit a gastroenterologist, ENT specialist, allergist, etc.

Treatment of catarrhal gingivitis in children

When you visit a dentist, he will remove plaque and tartar and check your teeth for carious lesions. The fewer such prerequisites for the development of infections in the mouth, the better. The next stage is the use of antiseptics. This can be either a pharmaceutical drug like chlorhexidine or medicinal herbs (mint, chamomile, sage, eucalyptus). Gels are used (, Cholisal, etc.).

Children may be prescribed ultraviolet irradiation or electrophoresis.
The diet is also adjusted (minimum carbohydrates, more vegetables and fruits).
Courses of taking vitamins are used.

Photo	Recommendations
	Prevent the progression of the disease to the acute stage. Treat chronic diseases
	Once every six months, remove plaque with professional oral cleaning
	Support the body's immune system through a healthy lifestyle. Take a vitamin complex
	To avoid damaging your gums and leaving food residue in your mouth, you need to brush your teeth with a medium-hard brush.
	Properly use cleaning devices such as floss or irrigators
	Regular visits to the dentist will lead to timely detection of inflammatory processes and stop their development
	Choose a paste on the advice of your dentist. He will be able to correctly select the necessary component in your toothpaste: fluoride, calcium, etc.

To combat the manifestations of catarrhal gingivitis, therapy using topical drugs, including solutions of resorcinol or zinc chloride, can be used. Applications to the affected areas can also be used. Aspirin, butadione and methyluracil ointments are effective for them. Chlorophyllipt, Romazulon and other agents are also used.

Does it help? Very individual. For some people, it’s enough to remove plaque and stone, rinse their mouth for a couple of days, and everything goes away. For another person, to get the same result, you need to spend a lot of time and money on restoring immunity in the mouth, eliminating external manifestations, fighting infections, etc. Therefore, do not forget about preventive measures, so as not to suffer from long-term treatment later.

Video - Types and forms of gingivitis

Statistics show that the prevalence of catarrhal gingivitis is quite high. It accounts for up to 90% of cases of total gum disease. Moreover, most often the disease is diagnosed in male patients, as well as in persons under 30 years of age.

Reasons

The pathogenesis of catarrhal gingivitis is due to the formation of biofilms:

Spirochetes.
Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Actinomycetes.
Tannerella forsythia.

It is these microorganisms that provoke the formation of plaque and, as a result, caries.

Local causes of catarrhal gingivitis:

injuries of various types (burns, tooth dislocation, fracture of the coronal part);
(especially in the cervical region of the unit);
abnormal bite;
defects of the dentition (crowding of units, dystopia);
pathologies in the development of soft tissues;
lack or poor oral hygiene;
hard deposits on the surface of the teeth above and below the gum;
incorrectly installed fillings, orthodontic and orthopedic structures.
in childhood, inflammation of the gums can be caused.

The etiology of gingivitis is often based on internal factors:

pregnancy, puberty, menopause (hormonal imbalance occurs during these periods);
presence of bad habits;
alcoholism, drug addiction;
diabetes mellitus;
diseases of the hematopoietic organs;
ailments of the digestive system;
vitamin deficiencies;
viral infections;
weakened immunity (oncology, HIV);
long-term use of certain drugs (immunosuppressants, cytostatics, hormonal contraceptives).

Nevertheless, doctors consider the most common reason for the development of catarrhal gingivitis to be unsatisfactory due to a violation of the body’s homeostasis.

Classification of catarrhal gingivitis

The periodontal tissue disease in question is distinguished by location, severity and form. The stages replace each other, depending on the progression of the disease.

Let's consider the forms of the disease:

Acute catarrhal gingivitis occurs against the background of intoxication, viral infections, and weakened immune system functions.
Chronic catarrhal gingivitis occurs after suffering an acute form, if timely and correct treatment of the gums was not received.

The disease is classified based on its location:

Generalized catarrhal gingivitis is diagnosed when the entire gum of the jaw arch is affected by the inflammatory process. This causes significant discomfort to the patient.
Localized gingivitis is characterized by a small area of damage. Inflammation involves gum tissue around 1–2 units.

Difference in severity:

in the mild stage of catarrhal gingivitis, only the gum papillae are affected;
medium degree is diagnosed if the tissue around the neck of the tooth is affected;
in the severe stage, the inflammatory process covers the entire gum, along with its immobile part.

The classification makes it easier for doctors to make a diagnosis and determine therapy. After all, generalized gingivitis or a localized form require a different approach to treatment.

Symptoms

It is worth noting that the symptoms of the disease may differ depending on its form or stage.

Consider the signs of acute catarrhal gingivitis:

pain syndrome;
itching sensation in the gums;
burning sensation;
you can notice that the tissues are swollen and swollen;
the affected area turns red;
gingival papillae increase significantly in size;
dental plaque;
sometimes the body temperature rises and general health worsens.

Signs of chronic inflammation:

pain;
itching or burning is periodically felt;
the edge of the gum becomes thicker and denser;
the papillae do not fit tightly to the unit, their size increases;
the gums take on a bluish appearance;
accession .

Symptoms appear in the area of one or more units if the disease is localized. And generalized gingivitis covers a large area, causing significant discomfort to the patient.

Which doctor treats catarrhal gingivitis?

Having discovered at least some of the listed signs of the presence of inflammation in the oral cavity, it is important to quickly contact a specialist for help. The examination and treatment is carried out by a periodontist. The doctor often works together with the therapist to eliminate the disease. In some cases, the help of a surgeon or consultation with specialized specialists (gastroenterologist, immunologist, allergist, etc.) may be required.

Diagnosis of catarrhal gingivitis

It is easy for an experienced specialist to determine the presence of the disease during a visual examination. Its task is to ensure that the differential diagnosis of catarrhal gingivitis makes it possible to exclude other ailments of the oral cavity. For example, the initial stage of periodontitis or dermatosis may have similar symptoms.

The following manipulations allow differentiating the catarrhal type of disease:

Chemical analysis of scrapings from the gums (allows you to determine the type of bacteria).
Hardware testing helps confirm the diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis involves conducting a number of tests:

The result should be positive according to the Pisarev and Schiller tests.
The indices are determined according to Volodina and Fedorov.
Perform probing.
Determination of the Vremillion and Green indices.

Differential diagnosis of determining the chronic form of the disease also involves the following steps:

performing orthopantomography;
rheoparodontography;
vital microscopy;
it is important to determine quantitative and qualitative indicators of the composition of the gum fluid;
biopsy.

All this information allows you to get an accurate picture and prescribe the correct therapy.

Treatment

The doctor’s efforts are aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation and manifestations of the disease. Consider the actions of a dentist:

You need to start with a procedure that allows you to remove all types of deposits (plaque, biofilms, stones).
Then rinses with antiseptic agents are prescribed. Will do.
If necessary, training in proper oral hygiene is provided.
It is also important to perform sanitation (elimination of caries, replacement of defective fillings and orthodontic structures).

Generalized gingivitis or other types of it can usually be stopped after cleaning the deposits and organizing personal hygiene. But if the pathological process continues to develop, anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed. The following drugs are suitable for treating gums:

chlorhexidine;
resorcinol;
chlorophyllipt solution;
aspirin ointment;
propolis, etc.

Generalized or localized chronic gingivitis can be treated with electrophoresis using ascorbic acid, gum massage and anti-inflammatory therapy.

If the disease is caused by some general malfunction of the body's systems or ailments, they cannot be ignored. Effective treatment can only be provided by combining the efforts of a periodontist and a highly specialized doctor.

Preventive measures

It is important to regularly and properly clean the oral cavity from plaque and food debris. carried out at least 2 times a day. The duration of each manipulation is 3 minutes.
Must be used before cleaning.
After the procedure, apply.
Contact your dentist to select personal hygiene products (a type of floss, paste with special medicinal additives).
After cleaning your mouth, massage your gums with your finger for a few minutes. This procedure ensures normalization of blood circulation in the vessels.
Try not to injure the mucous membrane with too hot food or drinks, chemical irritants, or sharp objects.
Pay attention to your diet. In addition to the fact that it should contain sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, do not exclude the consumption of hard foods (apples, carrots, etc.). Solid food promotes self-cleaning and maintains gum tone.
Get rid of bad habits. Nicotine and alcohol have a negative effect on the entire body and especially on the condition of the oral cavity.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that daily care of teeth and gums must be combined with professional cleaning twice a year. A responsible approach to the health of your smile allows you to preserve it for many years. It is also important to seek help in a timely manner without triggering the disease. A preventive visit to the dentist allows you to detect the problem at an early stage.

Useful video about gingivitis

Catarrhal gingivitis is an inflammatory process of the gums, localized in the periodontal tissues (periodontal tissue) and affecting only soft tissues, while the integrity of the connection between the gum and tooth is not compromised.

Children and adolescents are most susceptible to catarrhal gingivitis; with age, the risk of the disease decreases or becomes more complex. The course of the disease, depending on the pathogen, can be either acute or chronic.

Causes of catarrhal gingivitis

Catarrhal gingivitis appears under the influence of either local or systemic factors. Among the local ones, the following can be distinguished: poor oral hygiene, especially in cases where there are deposits on the surface of the tooth in the form of plaque or stones, dental intervention associated with dental prosthetics, filling or orthodontic treatment, dislocation or fracture of the tooth crown, malocclusion, non-standard arrangement of the lips, abnormal attachment of the frenulum of the tongue, small vestibule, individual structure of the jaw, when the teeth are crowded and incorrectly positioned. In children, a possible cause of the disease is the process of teething, and after the tooth crown comes out of the gum, the inflammation subsides.

In the etiology of catarrhal gingivitis, some general factors play an important role, the impact of which can affect the development of the disease. Some of them are disruptions in the hormonal system, for example, the period of restructuring of the body: adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, impaired functioning of the thyroid gland, taking hormonal medications, as well as the presence of bad habits (smoking). Patients suffering from diabetes and leukemia are at risk and are easily susceptible to catarrhal gingivitis. The disease can develop against the background of viral infections that weaken all the protective functions of the body. Catarrhal gingivitis can be provoked by intoxication with heavy metals, iodine or fluorine.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also at risk. Thus, any disorder in the body - chronic or acquired - reduces the protective function of the gums, which allows the development of catarrhal gingivitis. Microorganisms living in the oral cavity, in the presence of any deposits in the form of stones or plaque, begin to maximally produce toxic substances that have a detrimental effect on weakened gums, which causes a pathological process. As a result, inflammation from small areas gradually spreads to the entire gum area and its immobile part, after which the full clinical picture of the development of catarrhal gingivitis is already visible.

Classification of catarrhal gingivitis

Catarrhal gingivitis is classified according to the severity of the disease, form and location. The disease of various forms and stages does not begin suddenly, but progresses, moving from one type to another. The following forms of catarrhal gingivitis are distinguished:

acute catarrhal gingivitis (is a consequence of intoxication of the body, may appear as a result of a viral disease - influenza or acute respiratory infection - against the background of weakened immunity, most often diagnosed in the spring-autumn periods);
chronic catarrhal gingivitis (is a consequence of acute gingivitis or may precede it);

Catarrhal gingivitis has main types of localization - local and general:

localized catarrhal gingivitis affects the gums within one or two teeth;
generalized catarrhal gingivitis affects the entire gum.

Catarrhal gingivitis also varies in severity of the disease:

mild degree - damage to the gum papillae;
medium degree - damage to the part of the gum adjacent to the neck of the tooth;
severe degree - damage to the entire gum, including the immobile part.

Symptoms of catarrhal gingivitis

Acute catarrhal gingivitis is manifested by various symptoms that cause discomfort to the patient; the disease causes pain and discomfort. Among the main symptoms of acute catarrhal gingivitis are the following:

Feeling of acute pain.
Periodic or constant burning sensation in the affected area.
Presence of itching in the gums.
The appearance of swelling near the lesions.
Bleeding gums.
The mucous membrane of the gums has pronounced redness.
Significant increase in the size of the gingival papillae;
Presence of soft plaque.
Increased body temperature.
Deterioration of general condition.

If, during self-diagnosis, the patient discovers one or more symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to urgently consult a dentist. If treatment is not timely, the disease will go from an acute form to a chronic form, which has less pronounced symptoms. In addition to the main symptoms of the acute form of catarrhal gingivitis, the patient will feel discomfort during hygienic procedures for cleansing the oral cavity and eating. The main symptoms of chronic catarrhal gingivitis are the following:

Pain syndrome.
A burning and itching sensation when touching the gums.
Thickening and compaction of the gum edge.
Loose adherence of the gum papillae to the teeth.
Changes in the color and size of the gum papillae.
Blue color of gums, overflowing with blood.
Bad breath.

Often, chronic catarrhal gingivitis is discovered during a routine dental examination or during a period when the disease begins to worsen.

Diagnosis of catarrhal gingivitis

Diagnosing catarrhal gingivitis is not particularly difficult for a dentist or therapist. To establish a diagnosis, the patient is interviewed and the oral cavity is examined. During this process, the doctor can determine whether the infection is bacterial or viral. In order to identify the type of bacteria that provoked the occurrence of catarrhal gingivitis, scraping from the affected areas is prescribed.

In addition to general diagnostics, differential diagnostics are used to determine the form of gingivitis, helping to distinguish between catarrhal, hypertrophic and chronic gingivitis, since they all have a similar clinical picture of manifestation: bleeding gums, pain and redness of the gums.

Diagnosis using dental instruments involves probing the gum pockets. This allows you to determine pathologies of tooth mobility. In order to assess the integrity of the bone tissue of the immobile processes, an x-ray is prescribed.

Also, for an accurate diagnosis, patients are shown a general blood test and an index of microbes and bleeding is carried out. These studies allow you to accurately prescribe treatment and determine the course of the disease.

Treatment of catarrhal gingivitis

To eliminate catarrhal gingivitis, the doctor prescribes therapeutic treatment. It is aimed at getting rid of harmful microflora of the oral cavity, which is the primary cause of the disease. In addition, it is necessary to eliminate general and local factors against which the pathogenic process may begin or continue.

You can achieve the desired results with local treatment, which includes cleaning the oral cavity at a professional level. The complex of therapy also involves orthodontic treatment, characterized by the replacement of previously installed fillings, modification and reinstallation of prostheses or implants. It is also important to completely cure tooth decay.

Local treatment of catarrhal gingivitis consists of rinsing the mouth with antiseptic solutions, applying medications to the affected areas of the gums, massaging the gums, using electrophoresis and paraffin therapy.

General treatment of catarrhal gingivitis is carried out with the help of medications, the use of which relieves inflammation, gives an analgesic effect, and improves immunity. Quite often, general treatment of the disease includes taking antibiotics.

Depending on the cause of catarrhal gingivitis, for example, allergies, viral diseases, various infections and others, treatment is carried out in conjunction with other specialists: endocrinologists, immunologists, gastroenterologists.

The prognosis for the treatment of catarrhal gingivitis will be favorable only if the patient promptly notices discomfort in the oral cavity and contacts a specialist to undergo a full examination by a dentist, and also completes the prescribed course of treatment. If acute catarrhal gingivitis is not treated in time, there is a high risk that the disease will become chronic, which is much more difficult to cure. In some cases, the disease can cause the development of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and periodontitis.

Prevention of the disease consists of correct, timely and regular oral hygiene. To do this, you need to consult with a dentist, who will tell you how and when to brush your teeth, and also help you choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste. It is important to undergo a preventive examination by a specialist twice a year.