Inflammation between the front teeth: causes and treatment

Symptoms of gum inflammation

According to statistics, more than 70% of people have experienced inflammation of the gums between their front teeth at least once in their lives. The main signs of the problem include:

• redness of the gingival papilla,
• swelling of soft tissues,
• bleeding gums,
• bad breath,
• accumulation of pus in the interdental space,
• discomfort when brushing teeth and eating.

If you notice any of these signs, you should consult your doctor. These symptoms can indicate either injury to the gums from hard food or bones, or the development of serious diseases.

Methods for fixing the problem

Correction of lip frenulum is carried out on an outpatient basis, under the influence of conduction or local infiltration anesthesia.

There are three ways:

1. Dissection of the frenulum (frenulotomy) – the frenulum is dissected with a transverse incision, which is pulled together and stitched in the longitudinal direction.

2. Excision of the frenulum (frenulectomy) - the frenulum is stretched using a clamp and then excised between the front teeth. The mucous membrane bordering the incision is peeled off, while the edges of the wound are brought closer to each other by bringing them together and stitching them together.

3. Frenuloplasty consists of moving the place of attachment of the frenulum: a median vertical incision is made, at both ends of which additional incisions are made at an acute angle. Triangular flaps peel off and counter movement occurs. They are stitched together horizontally.

Possible reasons

In most cases, the gums become inflamed due to poor oral hygiene. Plaque accumulates on the teeth, which is a favorable environment for the proliferation of microbes. Soft deposits compact and transform into tartar, which is located along the edges of the gums. Inflammation between the front teeth can also be associated with smoking, mechanical damage to the gingival papilla, a burn to the oral cavity, or a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body.

This symptom is also characteristic of the clinical picture of the following diseases:

• gingivitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane due to the accumulation of plaque, accompanied by redness and swelling of the gums;
• periodontitis – develops with advanced gingivitis, leads to the formation of periodontal pockets, loosening of teeth and their loss;
• papillitis is inflammation of the interdental papilla; provoking factors include caries, thermal and mechanical effects, allergic reactions, endocrine diseases.

Diagnostics will help to establish the exact cause of the problem: visual and instrumental examinations, radiography.

Indications for labial frenuloplasty

Normally, the frenulum does not interfere with a person in any way, but in some cases it can cause significant discomfort. Due to certain physiological characteristics, it can interfere with normal speech, negatively affect teeth and cause malocclusion. In such cases, surgery is necessary.

If there are abnormalities in the attachment of the frenulum to the upper or lower lip, surgical plastic surgery is indicated. Indications for surgery may be:

• formation of a diastema (gap between the front teeth);
• disorders of chewing functions;
• inflammation of the gums;
• periodontal diseases;
• dysfunction of sucking in infants;
• speech defects in children, etc.

Upper lip frenuloplasty is also performed for hygienic reasons. A wide frenulum leads to a systematic accumulation of deposits between the teeth. As a result, plaque forms on the surface of the incisors, and then tartar. All this can cause the development of caries and inflammation of soft tissues.

Another common complication that accompanies an incorrect frenulum is the development of tooth instability and increased sensitivity. A wide frenulum leads to exposure of the roots of the teeth, which significantly reduces overall immunity in the oral cavity. Bacteria and infections easily penetrate the gums, which leads to various periodontal diseases.

A short frenulum interferes with normal speech. The operation must be carried out for freer movement of the tongue and lips, without which the development of correct diction is impossible. The decision to correct the frenulum in this case is made by a speech therapist.

Indications for plastic surgery are determined by the following specialists:

• orthodontist;
• neonatologist;
• speech therapist,
• periodontist.

Plastic surgery to correct the frenulum of the upper lip should be performed in childhood. The most optimal age is 7-8 years (after complete eruption of the upper incisors). Advanced anomalies, such as an overly wide frenulum, can lead to serious consequences that can only be eliminated with long-term orthodontic treatment.

Treatment methods

Treatment of inflamed interdental papillae is aimed at eliminating increased sensitivity and pain. This may include:

• rinsing the mouth with antiseptic solutions and chamomile decoction,
• applications of anti-inflammatory gels and ointments,
• taking antibacterial drugs,
• professional teeth cleaning,
• coagulation of overgrown tissues.

The treatment regimen is chosen by the doctor taking into account the diagnosis, clinical picture, and individual characteristics of the patient’s oral cavity.

Indications for lower lip frenuloplasty

Experts prescribe plastic surgery of the lower lip frenulum if the following indications exist:

• Diastema. A large gap between the lower central pair of incisors that widens over time. Because of this, units can move forward and diverge in different directions. Increased stress on the gums causes periodontitis.
• The need for orthodontic treatment. To install a brace system, it is necessary that the bridle has the correct shape and location.
• Periodontal diseases. A short frenulum may expose tooth roots.
• The need for complete prosthetics. A removable denture will not stay securely in the oral cavity if the frenulum of the lower lip is incorrectly positioned. Often for this reason, plastic surgery is performed on adults.
• Difficulty with breastfeeding. A frenulum that is too short does not allow the baby to perform sucking movements.
• Problems with chewing food. This indication also applies to children. The operation is carried out during the period when solid food begins to be fed so that the child can process food normally and not swallow too large pieces. Thus, the procedure helps prevent digestive problems.

Contraindications to the procedure

Contraindications to plastic surgery of the lower lip frenulum are restrictions that prevent most surgical operations:

• Irregular and improper oral hygiene.
• The presence of malignant tumors in the jaw area.
• Mental illnesses.
• Poor blood clotting.
• Infectious and chronic diseases in acute form.

Why is the correct shape of the frenulum important?

The frenulum of the lower lip of the correct shape plays an important role, performing a number of functions:

• Participation in the formation of correct bite. A frenulum that is too short pulls on the jaw, changing the position of the teeth.
• Ensuring clear pronunciation. Some sounds cannot be pronounced with an incorrectly shaped frenulum of the lower lip. If you do not correct the defect for a long time, it will be difficult to correct your pronunciation later.
• Prevention of oral diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis, caries, inflammation of the frenulum of the lower lip and gums). When the lip is pressed tightly to the gum, the hygiene of this area becomes difficult; bacteria accumulate there, causing oral diseases.
• Creating conditions for comfortable eating.
• Maintaining the performance of facial muscles.
• Providing beautiful lip shape. A short frenulum makes the lips tighter and less plump.

Plastic surgery of the frenulum of the tongue, upper and lower lips - features of the procedure

Defects of the frenulum of the tongue and lips: features and treatment methods

Frenules are mucous cords that are attached to the tongue, upper and lower lips.
Under normal conditions, they are not felt by humans in any way. But some patients experience pathologies of their development. Because of this, they feel discomfort, the cords are constantly injured, inflammation, bleeding and other problems occur. The situation can be corrected by plastic surgery of the tongue frenulum, which is performed in dental clinics. If you ignore the problem, it can lead to serious consequences:

• Incisor diastema (gap between teeth).
• Pronunciation problems.
• Periodontal inflammation, root exposure. There may be problems with bone tissue that lead to increased tooth mobility.
• Difficulty with chewing and swallowing food.

Also, due to problems with the frenulum, the child may develop an incorrect bite, and in particularly difficult cases, a violation of the formation of the jaws. Plastic surgery of the child's tongue frenulum will allow him to get rid of the pathology once and for all.

How to determine if there are problems

You can tell that a child has a short frenulum by the following signs:

• Newborn babies have problems sucking at the breast. The baby gets tired quickly, the procedure itself takes longer than usual. Many children give up breastfeeding early and switch to artificial nutrition.
• At 7–9 months, children develop an anomaly in the lower jaw. The hollow of the chin sinks, the tongue moves with difficulty.
• At 5–6 years old, a child cannot pronounce the sounds “r” and “l” normally.
• At the age of 8–9 years, the lower central teeth shift, and bite pathologies appear. Children with a short frenulum find it difficult to chew; it is constantly injured, there is inflammation on the gums, and the teeth become exposed and loose.

In most cases, frenulum cutting surgery is performed between the ages of 5 and 7 years. But some parents ignore the problem, due to which teenagers face various problems. Surgeries are also possible for adults. If you experience discomfort or difficulty, consult an experienced dentist.

Indications and contraindications

Before carrying out any actions, the dentist examines the small patient and decides on intervention or non-intervention. The operation is usually performed on children over 5 years of age. Newborns undergo plastic surgery only in cases where the frenulum seriously limits the mobility of the tongue.

The following are considered indications:

• A massive cord prevents the normal development of the lower jaw.
• The frenulum prevents the tongue from moving. The baby cannot pronounce sounds or chew normally.
• A pocket forms between the gum and lip, which is called a diastema.
• The baby’s bite begins to disturb (or there is simply a threat of such a situation occurring).

Adults sometimes undergo plastic surgery because the frenulum interferes with the placement of crowns or implants on the front of the jaw. Contraindications for surgery include:

• The patient has problems with blood clotting.
• Untreated caries or other dental diseases.
• The presence or acute phase of chronic diseases.
• Infectious diseases.
• The presence of inflammation or disease on the mucous membrane.

It is also not recommended to carry out intervention in the presence of tuberculosis, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.

How the correction is carried out

There are two ways to correct the situation:

• Classic method. A scalpel is used for cutting. The mucous membrane is dissected and then stitched in the required manner. The healing process takes 2–4 days.
• Laser correction. Instead of a scalpel, a laser beam is used. Due to the high temperature, the tissue immediately coagulates, so bleeding does not occur. Rehabilitation usually takes two days.

Modern dentists usually use lasers. It is safer and more practical. Thus, to correct the lip or tongue, classical anesthesia is not needed, the operation takes little time, and the risks of infection are minimized.

What to do after surgery

The wound after correction heals within 2–6 days, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. At this time, you need to be extremely careful not to damage the flesh or introduce an infection into it. It is recommended to rinse your mouth after every meal; in some cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to the patient.

Follow these guidelines:

• For the first couple of weeks, it is recommended to avoid eating solid foods (meat, apples, nuts, etc.).
• You should not eat too hot, cold, spicy or sour foods, as well as drinks, including alcohol.
• Contact your dentist two to three days after surgery to monitor the healing process.

Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a course of restorative exercises. Be sure to go through it to get rid of the problem. Maintaining good hygiene is also important, but be careful not to damage the soft tissue when brushing.

If you want the operation to be as quick and painless as possible, then contact Crystal Dentistry. Qualified doctors work here and have all the equipment necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Call us, we work without breaks and weekends.