Amazing Smile

What is gingival enlargement?

Gingival enlargement is the overgrowth of the gums, also known as gingival hyperplasia or Hyperplastic Gingiva.

What are the possible reasons?

In many cases, the cause is unknown. The affected tissue may become inflamed (gingivitis), in which case the gums are red, soft, shiny, and bleed easily. Gingivitis can be local or systemic.

The specific causes of gingivitis are:

• Poor oral hygiene leads to plaque, gingivitis and periodontitis

• Smoking, mouth breathing and crowded teeth

• Systemic diseases, especially diabetes, HIV infection

Uninflamed swollen gums tend to be dark red or purple. It can be soft and easy to bleed or hard and fibrous. It is also more likely to occur in people with poor dental hygiene. Reasons include:

• Hormonal status: pregnancy, puberty;

• Nutritional deficiencies: scurvy (vitamin C deficiency);

• Medications, most commonly cyclosporine, phenytoin and other anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers. Sometimes, this can be due to antibiotics, antidepressants, and other medications.

• Common genetic disorders at birth (all rare disorders): Hereditary fibromatosis, I-cell disease, mucopolysaccharidosis, fucosidosis, aspartylaminoglycemia, Pfeiffer syndrome, infantile systemic hyalinosis degeneration and primary amyloidosis. Localized gingival enlargement can be seen in Fabry disease, Cowden syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Sturge-Weber hemangioma, and gingival granulosa cell tumor.
• blood disorders, such as acute leukemia, lymphoma, or aplastic anemia.

• The most common granulomatous systemic diseases include polyangiitis, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, neurofibromatosis type 1, primary amyloidosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and acromegaly.

What are the symptoms?

Swollen gums can cause discomfort, interfere with speaking or chewing, cause bad breath (bad breath), and look unsightly.

What is the treatment for gingival hyperplasia?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Gingivitis can be improved by:

• Remove plaque by brushing and flossing thoroughly

• antiseptic mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine

• Ultrasonic treatment

• A course of antibiotics (such as erythromycin or azithromycin) to reduce oral bacterial load

• Medications known to cause swollen gums should be discontinued. Gingivectomy (surgical removal of overgrown gum tissue) may be required in severe cases and may be repeated if necessary.