Thin and Soft Gums: What Does That Mean to Oral Health?

The stiffness of gums influences the properties of fibroblasts present within it, which in turn affects whether inflammation is likely to occur and make it difficult to form fibers, according to study findings published in the journal Scientific Reports.

The tissue area that surrounds our teeth is known as the gingiva, and healthy teeth will nestle firmly into the gums thanks to the many gingival fibers that connect the tooth to the gingiva.

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Periodontitis or pyorrhea is infection and inflammation of ligament tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis causes loss of alveolar bones leading to loosening and loss of teeth.

‘Fibroblasts present in gums may sense mechanical stress to influence supporting bone resorption along with immune cells.’

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The gingiva is home to fibroblasts - cells that contribute to the formation of connective tissue. Now, they have discovered that soft gingiva results in inflammation and hinders the development of gingival fibers.

What Does it Mean if Your Gums are Soft?

It has long been known that individuals with thick or stiff gingiva are less susceptible to gingival recessions. This is where the gingiva begins to recede and expose a tooth's root. Many factors can lead to gingival recession, such as gum disease, over-brushing, and chewing tobacco. But this is the first time that gingival stiffness has been attributed to biological reactions.

Although fibroblasts play an important role in the maintenance, repair, and healing of the gingiva, they also produce various inflammatory and tissue-degrading biomolecules which degrade the gingival fibers. In addition, fibroblasts are associated with immune responses too.

Researchers from Tohoku University's Graduate School of Dentistry created an artificial culture environment that simulated soft or hard gingiva and cultured human gingival fibroblasts on them.

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They discovered that hard gingiva-simulated stiffness activated an intracellular anti-inflammatory system in the gingival fibroblasts that prevented inflammation. Yet, soft gingiva-simulated stiffness suppressed the fibroblastic anti-inflammatory system. This increased the likelihood of inflammation and resulted in less collagen synthesis.

This research is the first to demonstrate the biological mechanisms at play regarding a patient's gingival properties. The results are expected to accelerate the development of advanced biomaterials to control local inflammation or microdevices that simulate the microenvironment of inflammatory conditions.

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Source-Eurekalert

Quiz on Gum Diseases
Gum disease is caused by plaque which is the sticky film of bacteria on the teeth. Gum disease can cause tooth loss because its symptoms are often painless and go unnoticed. Poor oral hygiene is responsible for plaque formation and consequent gum disease.

There are two major types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.