OVERVIEW

What is puberty gingivitis?

Simply put, puberty gingivitis refers to localized gum inflammation occurring around puberty. Fundamentally, it is still a type of gingivitis—a bacterial infection where dental plaque is the primary cause. However, due to drastic hormonal changes in adolescents, the symptoms of gum inflammation are often exacerbated, hence the term "puberty gingivitis." Patients mainly exhibit redness and swelling of the gum margins. Plaque control is key to treatment, with measures like regular dental cleanings and proper brushing being crucial. Medication is generally unnecessary.

Is puberty gingivitis common?

Puberty gingivitis is very common among teenagers. Depending on the region and different studies, its incidence in adolescents ranges from 50% to 99%. Due to variations in the timing of puberty between genders, girls (aged 11–13) often develop gingivitis earlier than boys (aged 13–14).

SYMPTOMS

What are the manifestations of puberty gingivitis?

• The most common symptoms of puberty gingivitis are inflammatory edema, such as redness, swelling, and a shiny, soft (even movable) gum margin that bleeds easily. Some cases may present with gum swelling that is firm and exhibits inflammatory hyperplasia.

• Since the disease progresses relatively slowly, patients may not necessarily experience pain, but they often experience gum bleeding during brushing or spontaneous bleeding.

• Additionally, due to the presence of gingivitis accompanied by poor oral hygiene, symptoms like bad breath may also occur, which can negatively affect the physical and mental development of adolescents.

CAUSES

What are the causes of puberty gingivitis?

The root cause of puberty gingivitis is poor oral hygiene:

• Dental plaque adheres to tooth surfaces, gums, gingival sulcus, etc., causing persistent irritation to the gums, leading to pathological changes such as redness, swelling, and hyperplasia.

• The reason this disease is prone to occur during puberty is also related to increased levels of sex hormones (including testosterone and estrogen). Gum tissue has a high affinity for these hormones, resulting in more pronounced reactions to accumulated dental plaque.

• Similar conditions occur in pregnant women (called "pregnancy gingivitis") and menstruating women. After puberty, when sex hormone levels stabilize, some lesions will gradually recover and subside.

DIAGNOSIS

What tests are needed for puberty gingivitis?

Diagnosis is not difficult based on the patient's age, disease progression, clinical manifestations, and intraoral findings. When distinguishing between simple gingivitis and periodontitis, doctors may also use a periodontal probe to examine the gums and check for the formation of deep periodontal pockets.

TREATMENT

Which department should be visited for adolescent gingivitis?

Generally, you should visit the dentistry or periodontics department.

How is adolescent gingivitis treated?

The treatment and prevention of adolescent gingivitis are essentially the same: Whether it is ordinary chronic gingivitis or adolescent gingivitis occurring during a specific period, the treatment methods are similar, with the most important aspect still being plaque control. This means maintaining good hygiene for the teeth and surrounding gum tissues. Specific measures should include: brushing thoroughly and properly for at least two minutes twice a day, using dental floss carefully at least once daily for interdental cleaning, and incorporating mouthwash as essential oral hygiene maintenance methods. Additionally, it is recommended to have at least one annual oral health check-up and hygiene education session. If significant tartar buildup is detected during the examination, prompt periodontal basic treatment, including supragingival scaling (such as teeth cleaning), should be performed.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

What should adolescent gingivitis patients pay attention to in daily life?

Pay attention to oral hygiene during adolescence. For specific measures, see "Treatment".

PREVENTION

Can Adolescent Gingivitis Be Prevented?

Yes, poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of this condition. Maintaining oral hygiene can prevent it. Regular dental cleanings, thorough brushing, and using dental floss can generally reduce the occurrence of gingivitis.