Under the influence of multiple systemic and external factors, mucous membranes and soft gum tissues can become inflamed. This form of the disease is more common in young people (under 35 years), especially with poor oral hygiene and lack of preventive examinations at the dentist.
Causes of catarrhal gingivitis
The following circumstances can provoke inflammatory processes:
- transfer of infectious pathologies;
- chronic diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular or digestive system;
- hormonal fluctuations;
- autoimmune diseases;
- smoking;
- hypovitaminosis;
- taking certain medications;
- radiation injuries;
- problems of the hematopoiesis.
Local and generalized catarrhal gingivitis develops under the influence of local factors:
- trauma to the teeth;
- malocclusion;
- caries, especially in the cervical areas;
- defects in the installation of seals, dentures, veneers and braces;
- underdeveloped vestibule;
- short frenum of the lip;
- abnormalities of teeth.
The main cause of catarrhal gingivitis is bacterial plaque - biofilm or microbial plaque. It consists mainly of anaerobic microorganisms:
- prewatel;
- fusobacteria;
- treponem;
- porphyromonads and others.
There is a small amount of aerobic microbes in the plaque:
- streptococci;
- actinomycetes;
- staphylococci.
Acute and chronic gingivitis - symptoms
The clinical picture of the described disease is characterized by the duration of its course and shape. An acute type of pathology is manifested by expressed specific signs, which facilitates and speeds up the diagnosis. With a chronic form of the disease, the symptomatology is weak, recalls other problems of the oral cavity, so sluggish catarrhal gingivitis is differentiated with its hypertrophic form and the following diseases:
- vulgar pemphigus;
- mild degree of periodontitis;
- red flat lichen;
- stomatitis and others.
Difference of catarrhal gingivitis from hypertrophic
In rare cases, inflammation of the gums is accompanied by the proliferation of their tissues and the formation of false pockets. The symptoms of this type of pathology are a bit similar to the clinical signs of chronic catarrhal gingivitis, but the diseases can be easily differentiated by hyperplasia of the mucous membranes. If the gums begin to "cram" on the enamel, covering one-third or more of the crown part of the tooth, there is a hypertrophic form of the disease.
Chronic gingivitis - symptoms
It is difficult to independently identify this ailment, because its signs are poorly expressed, and painful sensations are absent. Chronic catarrhal gingivitis manifests itself as follows:
- cyanosis (stagnant reddening) of the gums;
- slight taste of blood in the mouth;
- minor bleeding when cleaning teeth and other minor damage to the mucous membranes;
- feeling of raspiraniya in the gums (rarely).
Sluggish catarrhal gingivitis is characterized by the presence of a high amount of bacterial plaque white or beige. It is not removed even with high-quality cleaning at home using an electric brush, irrigator and special floss. On the separate teeth, especially on the inner part of the crown, a dark brown calculus is clearly visible.
Acute gingivitis - symptoms
The initial stages of the disease progression are accompanied by such signs:
- itching in the gums;
- severe redness;
- swelling of the mucous membranes in the mouth;
- bleeding;
- bad odor from the mouth;
- painful sensations when brushing teeth, chewing food;
- burning.
Acute catarrhal gingivitis in severe forms can additionally provoke systemic intoxication of the whole organism:
- temperature increase;
- muscle pain;
- nausea;
- aches in the joints;
- dizziness;
- drowsiness and lethargy.
Catarrhal gingivitis - differential diagnosis
The development of the described disease is determined by a qualified periodontist, hygienist or dentist. The doctor is based on the available clinical manifestations and subjective feelings of the patient, the appearance of the gums. When catarrhal gingivitis progresses, the mucous membranes in the mouth are loose, swollen and red, bleed when palpated and probed. The desiccated papillae are compacted, becoming domed. At visual inspection, microbial deposits on enamel, tartar and carious cavities in the cervical areas are immediately visible.
It is more difficult to confirm chronic catarrhal gingivitis - differential diagnosis includes instrumental and laboratory studies:
- the Green-Vermilion index;
- probe probe;
- the Schiller-Pisarev test;
- papillary-marginal-alveolar index;
- reoparodontography;
- Müllmann's test for gingivitis;
- analysis of the composition of the gingival fluid;
- Doppler flowmetry;
- vital microscopy;
- the Silnes-Lohé index;
- morphological analysis of gum tissue;
- biopsy of mucous membranes;
- orthopantomography;
- Kulazhenko's trial;
- panoramic radiography;
- hygiene index Fedorova-Volodina;
- polarography.
From the list given, the doctor selects several necessary studies, and on the basis of their results makes a diagnosis. To confirm suspicions of gingivitis there are enough definitions of the composition of bacterial plaque, the intensity of blood circulation in the gums and 1-2 hygienic samples. The whole process of diagnosis is carried out quickly, in well-equipped clinics it takes about 15-25 minutes.
How to treat catarrhal gingivitis?
Therapy of pathology lasts 10-14 days with the need for periodic visits to the dental office. Before the appointment of pharmacological agents, the hygienist will determine the form in which catarrhal gingivitis occurs - the treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms of the disease, the causes that provoked it, and the duration of the progression of the disease. First, the doctor carefully cleans tooth enamel and gums from microbial plaques, bacterial films and stones, and then gives specific recommendations.
Treatment of chronic catarrhal gingivitis
When soft and hard deposits are removed, regular antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity is required to prevent their re-formation. Therapy of catarrhal gingivitis includes:
- gargling gums with a solution of Chlorhexidine (2 times a day);
- use of antiseptic toothpastes (Asepta);
- treatment of damaged tissues with miramistin, furacilin;
- application of bandages with anti-inflammatory ointments (Metiluracil, Butadion and others);
- applications with propolis, Romazulon, Chlorophyllipt.
Chronic generalized catarrhal gingivitis with severe course is treated more seriously:
- taking antibiotics and multivitamins;
- electrophoresis;
- use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- darsonvalization ;
- hydrotherapy;
- ultrahigh-frequency currents;
- vacuum and vibromassage of the gums;
- ultraphonophoresis.
How to treat acute gingivitis?
With severe symptoms and accelerated development of pathology, the disease can recede after the removal of microbial plaque and tartar. If this did not help, and diagnosed acute catarrhal gingivitis - treatment is similar to therapeutic measures for arresting the chronic form of the disease. In addition, dentists recommend to find out and eliminate the true cause of gum disease:
- complete sanitation of the oral cavity, if necessary - replacement of seals, prostheses and other structures;
- caries treatment;
- plastic frenum;
- control of abnormalities in the structure of the teeth;
- bite correction ;
- therapy of digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular diseases.