Gum Growth
Gingival overgrowth is a condition that threatens oral health and can cause serious problems if not treated early. This disorder is defined as abnormal growth and swelling of the gums beyond their normal limits. This overgrowth of gum tissue is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also makes oral hygiene difficult. Plaque accumulating around the teeth creates areas that are difficult to clean, paving the way for bacterial accumulation, which can lead to infections, gum inflammation and even tooth loss over time.
Gingival enlargement usually appears as a noticeable swelling and swelling in the gums. This can cause reddish, sensitive, and sometimes bleeding tissue to form around the teeth. Depending on the degree of growth, it can make daily activities such as chewing and speaking difficult, and even leave the person with serious pain and discomfort. The underlying causes of gingival enlargement are quite diverse. Hormonal changes, side effects of some medications, inadequate oral hygiene, genetic predisposition and some systemic diseases may trigger this condition.
What Causes Gum Enlargement?
Gum enlargement can occur for a variety of reasons, and most of them can be controlled. Here are the main reasons for gum growth:
- Gingivitis: One of the most common causes is gingivitis. Plaque accumulates around the teeth, causing inflammation in the gums over time. If left untreated, this inflammation can cause the gums to become enlarged and swollen.
- Medication Use: Some medications can cause enlarged gums. Especially anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants and some heart medications can trigger this condition. These types of medications can stimulate the cellular growth of the gums, causing abnormal growth.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, puberty and menopause can lead to tenderness and enlargement of the gums. Fluctuations in hormones can cause gums to become more prone to inflammation.
- Genetic Factors: Individuals with a family history of gum diseases may have a higher risk of gum enlargement. It is known that genetic structure is one of the factors affecting gum health.
- Inadequate Oral Hygiene: Not brushing teeth regularly and not using dental floss leads to plaque accumulation. These plaques irritate the gums over time and can cause them to grow.
- Systemic Diseases: Diabetes, leukemia and some immune system diseases can cause gum enlargement. These diseases can trigger gum growth by weakening the body’s general defense mechanism.
Symptoms of Gum Enlargement
Gingival enlargement is a condition that must be taken into consideration in terms of oral health and manifests itself with clear symptoms. It is extremely important to be aware of these symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment. One of the most common symptoms of gingival enlargement is a feeling of swelling and swelling in the gums; In this case, the gums appear larger and swollen than normal. This is a clear sign that the gum tissue has grown abnormally. Additionally, growing gums are often red, tender, and prone to bleeding.
Bleeding of the gums may occur, especially when brushing your teeth or eating hard foods. Such symptoms may be an indication of an inflammatory reaction or excess tissue occurring in the gums. Difficulty in oral hygiene is another important consequence of gingival enlargement. When bacterial plaques and food residues accumulated around the teeth cannot be completely cleaned, this can lead to bad breath, which can become a socially and psychologically disturbing problem.
As gum growth progresses, the gums may pull away from the teeth, leading to gum recession and exposing the tooth roots. This condition can cause severe sensitivity in the teeth, creating an uncomfortable feeling when hot, cold or sweet foods are consumed. All these symptoms indicate the seriousness of the problems underlying gingival overgrowth, and noticing these symptoms requires consulting a dentist without delay.
Left untreated, gum overgrowth can lead not only to aesthetic problems but also to more serious health problems such as tooth loss. Therefore, recognizing the symptoms early and applying appropriate treatment methods is vital to protect oral health and prevent possible complications.
How to Treat Gum Enlargement?
Treatment of gingival overgrowth is performed by a variety of methods, depending on the underlying causes, and usually involves several steps. First, professional teeth cleaning by a dentist is an important step in treating gum overgrowth. This process effectively cleans the plaque and tartar accumulated on the teeth and gums and helps restore gum health.
If a particular medication is causing gum enlargement, your doctor may change your medication or recommend an alternative treatment method. In advanced cases, gum surgery, that is, gingivectomy, may be used; In this procedure, overgrown gum tissue is surgically removed and the gums are aesthetically and functionally reshaped. After treatment, it is of great importance to pay attention to oral hygiene to prevent gum growth from recurring.
Regular brushing of teeth, use of dental floss and antiseptic mouthwashes are recommended methods to ensure oral hygiene and protect gum health. Additionally, regular dentist checks should not be neglected to maintain gum health in the long term.
These check-ups allow gum diseases to be diagnosed early and treated in a timely manner if necessary, allowing you to take all necessary precautions to protect your oral health.
Gingival overgrowth is an oral health problem that should be taken seriously. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent progression of gum overgrowth and serious complications such as tooth loss. Paying attention to oral hygiene, going to regular dentist check-ups and receiving professional treatment when necessary are the basic steps for preventing and treating gingival enlargement. Healthy gums are one of the most important indicators of your overall oral health, so do not forget to take care of the health of your gums.
