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Gingival hyperplasia, also referred to as gingival enlargement, is the overgrowth of gum tissue around your teeth. The affected gum tissue often becomes inflamed, which is a symptom of gingivitis (mild gum disease). Your gums may be red, soft, shiny, and bleed easily when brushing or flossing.
In severe cases of gingival enlargement, the gum tissue can completely cover teeth crowns, leading to periodontal disease (advanced gum disease).
Gingival hyperplasia does not always cause inflammation. Non-inflamed gingival hyperplasia typically causes your gums to turn dark red or purple. The gum tissue may be firm, fibrous, and bleed easily. This type of gingival enlargement occurs more often in those with poor oral hygiene.
Plaque, calculus, and harmful bacteria in the mouth can cause almost every oral condition. Long-term bad oral hygiene and poor plaque control are common risk factors of gingival hyperplasia.
Gingival enlargement can also be caused by other factors, including:
Drug-induced gingival hyperplasia is linked to the patient's genetic makeup, the presence of dental plaque, and whether they had gingival inflammation prior to taking medications. Gingival hyperplasia is a side effect of certain drugs, including:
Hormonal changes that occur during puberty and pregnancy can cause gingival hyperplasia. This is because a sudden boost in hormones can increase inflammation in the body.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It is a minor, reversible form of gum disease that can lead to periodontitis (if left untreated). Good oral hygiene reduces the chance of developing oral conditions during puberty and pregnancy.
Rare types of gingival overgrowth that form during childhood can be caused by genetic factors. For example, hereditary gingival fibromatosis results in an overproduction of collagen. As a result, the gums become enlarged and slowly begin to grow over your teeth.
Gingival hyperplasia can be a sign of acute leukemia, a group of blood cancers that affect the bone marrow and lymphatic system, if other symptoms of leukemia are present.
Gingival overgrowth can also be caused by other health conditions, including:
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There are a few different treatment options available for gingival overgrowth. These include, but are not limited to, periodontal flap surgery, a gingivectomy, and laser gum treatment.
Depending on the severity of gingival enlargement, your dentist may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Periodontal flap surgery repairs damage caused by periodontal disease (advanced gum disease). It can also treat most cases of gingival hyperplasia.
During the surgery, your periodontist administers local anesthesia to numb the treated area. Then they make a small incision into the gums, which separates the gum tissue from your teeth. Lastly, the dentist gently folds back your gums, carefully removes the inflamed tissue, and flushes out any remaining debris.
A gingivectomy is a straightforward procedure that involves the removal of excess gum tissue. During the surgery, an oral surgeon cuts the overgrown gum tissue out of the mouth. Then they reshape the loose, damaged tissue and remove the “pockets” between your teeth and gums.
Other common treatment options include electrosurgery and laser excision. Both of these procedures involve the removal of inflamed gum tissue. If you have gingival enlargement and gingivitis, your dentist may recommend:
After you stop taking the medication(s) that caused gingival hyperplasia or start treatment for the condition, it takes one to eight weeks for the lesions to disappear.
Depending on the severity of gingival hyperplasia, you will likely need professional dental treatment to fix the condition.
However, if the condition is mild, you can prevent it from getting worse by practicing optimal oral care at home. Tips include brushing your teeth twice a day with an extra-soft bristle toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. You should also replace your toothbrush tip every three months, floss daily, rinse with a natural mouthwash, and visit your dentist for teeth cleanings twice a year.
Common drugs that cause gum hyperplasia include cyclosporine, anticonvulsants, and calcium channel blockers.
Ballini, Andrea, et al. “Surgical Treatment of Gingival Overgrowth with 10 Years of Follow-Up.” Head & Face Medicine, vol. 6, no. 1, Dec. 2010, doi:10.1186/1746-160x-6-19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931464/
Demirer, Serhat, et al. “Gingival Hyperplasia as an Early Diagnostic Oral Manifestation in Acute Monocytic Leukemia: A Case Report.” European Journal of Dentistry, vol. 01, no. 02, 2007, pp. 111–114., doi:10.1055/s-0039-1698323. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2609944/
“Gingivitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 Aug. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453.
Neville, Brad W., et al. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Elsevier, 2016.
Perry, Dorothy A., et al. Periodontology for the Dental Hygienist - E-Book. Saunders, 2015.