Gum disease, medically known as gingivitis, is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide. It's essential to understand the fundamentals of gingivitis to maintain optimal oral health and prevent potential complications. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, primarily caused by poor oral hygiene habits. When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth and along the gumline, it can lead to inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is the hallmark of gingivitis and is often accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. While gingivitis is common, it's crucial to recognize its significance. If left untreated, it can progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, which can result in irreversible damage to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Moreover, research has shown potential links between gum disease and other systemic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral health. Understanding the importance of gum health is key to preventing and managing gingivitis. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can help remove plaque and prevent its accumulation along the gumline. Additionally, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential for monitoring oral health and addressing any signs of gum disease early on. In this article, we will delve deeper into the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gingivitis. By arming yourself with knowledge about gum disease, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your oral health and overall well-being.

Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis simplex, are very common and occur when the skin on your lips becomes too dry. This happens because your lips have fewer layers of skin than other parts of your body, so they dry out more rapidly when exposed to different conditions, such as hot or cold environments or being dehydrated. It results in dry-looking lips that can become flaky, cracked, and can bleed. Chapped lips are not contagious. However, if you have flaking lips due to a cold sore, this can be contagious.

A dental abscess describes a collection of pus either around a tooth, on the gum or on the jaw bone, and is caused by a bacterial infection. You’re likely to get persistent throbbing in your tooth or gum, with pain spreading to the ear on that side. You might get redness and swelling of the face, and red gums if you look inside your mouth. It may be painful to chew food, difficult to take hot or cold drinks, and you (or others) might notice bad breath. In severe infections, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, making you feel generally unwell and feverish. Dental abscesses usually require antibiotic treatment. It is also best to take simple painkillers, avoid hot or cold foods and drinks as your mouth may be quite sensitive, try softer foods, and drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. It is important to visit your dentist regularly to ensure you maintain good oral hygiene and follow their advice to maintain healthy teeth and gums at home.

A mouth ulcer occurs when a part of the lining of the inside of your mouth becomes damaged. The area that hurts is known as a mouth ulcer. They are very common and can be caused by many different things. The majority are not caused by anything serious and will improve on their own within 2 weeks. They look like red and white lesions on the inside of your cheeks that are usually less than ½ inch in size. You can sometimes get larger mouth ulcers which can appear at the bottom of the gums, under or on the tongue. Most people have at least one attack of mouth ulcers in their life but they are more common in women and under the age of 40. They cannot be passed on by kissing or sharing utensils. Unfortunately, up to 1 in 5 people have recurrent attacks of mouth ulcers. Over a third of people with recurrent mouth ulcers have a family history of it and this figure rises to over 80% if both parents suffered from recurrent mouth ulcers. Certain medical conditions can also predispose to chronic mouth ulcers developing, such as: Vitamin B12 deficiency. Viral infections – a very common trigger for mouth ulcers. Iron deficiency. Celiac disease (intolerance to a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye and barley). Crohn's disease. Reiter's syndrome. HIV infection. Occasionally, mouth ulcers can be linked to medication and common examples include: Painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Nicorandil and beta blockers – both used in heart conditions.

Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth. It is very common in children and babies and can be common in people who wear dentures or those who are prone to infections due to other medical conditions. Certain medications can put you at higher risk of developing oral thrush, including taking a course of antibiotics or using an asthma inhaler that contains a steroid. If you have oral thrush, you will usually have a mouth that is more red than usual, with white patches over the top. The white patches can be rubbed off and may lead to slight bleeding underneath if you do so. Oral thrush can cause pain and changes to your taste, it may be sore when you eat and drink, and babies can be reluctant to start or continue feeding as it is painful.

Angular cheilitis is a condition that mainly affects the corners of the mouth rather than the rest of the lips. The main symptoms include swelling and redness, blistering, and crusting or cracking in the corners of the mouth. It may be painful and can be caused by a number of factors. Some forms of angular cheilitis may be caused by sweat and saliva build-up. This causes changes in pH on the skin and can lead to a fungal infection in the corners of the mouth. There can also be bacterial or viral infection present. It is usually bilateral and symmetrical, although occasionally it may affect one side of the mouth only and may sometimes spread to cause impetigo or oral thrush.