Gingival growth is the volumetric increase of the gingiva. It may have different causes and therefore treatment directed to the factor (cause) is necessary. Gingival enlargement usually progresses without any symptoms, and growths located especially in the anterior region disturb the patient aesthetically. Sometimes it may be accompanied by bleeding. The size of the growth may gradually increase and cause difficulty in biting/chewing.
It is of great importance to consult a dentist without wasting time, especially for growths that increase rapidly in size and are located in a single place, as there may be a possibility of a tumor.
Causes of gingival enlargement:
Inflammatory gingival enlargement: This type of enlargement is divided into two as "acute" and "chronic". Acute inflammatory growths refer to gingival abscesses and are often painful. Chronic inflammatory growths, on the other hand, are gingival growths that may occur as a result of chronic factors such as long-term exposure of the gums to plaque and tartar, mouth breathing, incompatible fillings and prostheses, foods stuck between teeth, or caries between two teeth. It is not accompanied by pain. A common feature of inflammatory growths is the presence of bleeding. Treatment, depending on the cause, includes dental stone and plaque cleaning, root planing, abscess drainage, filling of cavities, renewal of incompatible fillings and prostheses, etc.
Drug-induced gingival enlargement: Some medications can cause gingival enlargement. These are drugs with the active ingredient "phenytoin" used in the treatment of epilepsy, drugs with the active ingredient "nifedipine, amlodipine, verapamil" used in the treatment of hypertension, and drugs with the active ingredient "cyclosporine" used especially by kidney transplant patients to suppress the immune system. These types of growths usually appear as hard, pale growths and are painless. Less frequently, it may also appear with a softer consistency, redness and bleeding. As oral hygiene worsens, the severity of the growth increases, and as the growths increase in size, more irregular gingival surfaces facilitate plaque accumulation. Therefore, this is a vicious circle. In the treatment, in addition to helping the patient acquire correct care habits, changing the medication should be considered in consultation with the physician. Plaque and tartar removal, root planing and if necessary, gum surgeries are planned.
Gingival growth due to systemic factors: Depending on hormones, during pregnancy, adolescence or menstrual periods; Gum enlargement may occur in vitamin C deficiency. Such growths often become more severe as oral hygiene worsens. Gingival enlargement can also be observed in acute leukemias and granulomatous diseases.
Neoplastic gingival growths: These are tumoral growths that can be benign or malignant. An important point is that especially malignant growths will develop rapidly. These types of growths usually do not cause any symptoms and are painless. For its treatment, the character of the growth must first be determined and an approach must be taken accordingly.
Hereditary or unknown gingival enlargement: There is a disease called "hereditary gingival fibromatosis", which is transmitted in families, and the gums are hard around all existing teeth. They are observed as pale, non-bleeding growths. They are treated surgically, but the risk of recurrence is high. Some growths are idiopathic (cause unknown).
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