Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Gingival (Gum) Disorders
Number of Conditions: 3
Gingivitis (Gum Inflammation)
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Gum and Periodontal Conditions
Sub-category: Gingival (Gum) Disorders
Symptoms:
red, swollen gums; bleeding during brushing or flossing; bad breath; tenderness of gums; receding gums
Root Cause:
Plaque buildup on teeth leads to bacterial infection and gum inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual examination by a dentist or hygienist; measurement of gum pocket depth using a probe; assessment of bleeding on probing (BOP).
Treatment:
Professional dental cleaning, improved oral hygiene practices (brushing and flossing), and regular dental checkups.
Medications:
Antimicrobial mouthwashes (e.g., chlorhexidine ); antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline or metronidazole in severe cases); anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., NSAIDs for pain and swelling).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely common; nearly 50% of adults have some degree of gum inflammation.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy), certain medications (e.g., antiepileptics), and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Usually reversible with proper oral hygiene and treatment; untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Periodontitis, tooth loss, and potential links to systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG, Trench Mouth)
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Gum and Periodontal Conditions
Sub-category: Gingival (Gum) Disorders
Symptoms:
severe gum pain; bleeding gums; foul breath; fever; metallic taste; ulcerations between teeth; swollen lymph nodes
Root Cause:
Severe bacterial infection due to poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, or immunosuppression; often involves spirochetes and fusobacteria.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical observation of characteristic ulcers, pain, and necrosis; medical history review; microbiological testing in some cases.
Treatment:
Debridement of necrotic tissue, improved oral hygiene, and systemic antibiotics for infection control.
Medications:
Antibiotics like metronidazole or amoxicillin-clavulanate for infection control; analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen ) for pain management.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in developed countries; more common in regions with poor access to dental care or in immunosuppressed populations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, stress, smoking, HIV/AIDS, and other conditions causing immune suppression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt treatment, though untreated cases can lead to rapid tissue destruction and systemic infection.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Periodontitis, systemic infections (e.g., sepsis), and oroantral fistula formation.
Gingival Hyperplasia (Overgrowth of Gum Tissue)
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Gum and Periodontal Conditions
Sub-category: Gingival (Gum) Disorders
Symptoms:
enlarged, swollen gums; difficulty chewing or speaking; increased bleeding during oral care; poor aesthetics due to excessive gum tissue
Root Cause:
Excessive proliferation of gum tissue caused by factors like medications, hormonal changes, or underlying conditions.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, medical history review (including medication use), and possibly biopsy to rule out malignancy.
Treatment:
Removal of causative factors (e.g., changing medications if possible); professional cleaning; surgical reduction of gum tissue (gingivectomy) if severe.
Medications:
No direct medications; may involve adjustments to implicated drugs such as phenytoin (antiepileptic), cyclosporine (immunosuppressant), or calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Variable; seen in up to 50% of patients on phenytoin, 30% on cyclosporine, and 10-20% on calcium channel blockers.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Use of implicated drugs, poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment and management of underlying causes; recurrence possible if causative factors persist.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Impaired oral function, aesthetic concerns, secondary infections, and progression to periodontitis if untreated.