Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Gingivalhyperplasiais a condition of the mouth involving overgrowth of the gingiva (the gum tissue) surrounding the teeth. Once the condition begins, it creates a cycle of difficulty performing good oral hygiene, leading to higher risk (and possibly more severe symptoms) of overgrowth.
Sometimes the condition is referred to as gingival overgrowth, gum enlargement, hypertrophy, hypertrophic gingivitis or gingival hyperplasia symptoms.
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Gingival Hyperplasia Symptoms
Symptoms of gingival hyperplasia may include:
The overgrowth area is usually located in the front of the mouth (surrounding the front teeth) but can be located between the teeth and cheeks.
Gingival hyperplasia can result from various underlying causes, including:
The underlying cause of gingival hyperplasia must be accurately identified before proper treatment can be administered; the treatment may vary from one cause to another.
Drug-Induced Gingival Hyperplasia
The drugs that have been most associated with gingival hyperplasia fall into three categories—anti-seizure medications,immunosuppressant medicationsused in transplant patients, andcalcium channel blockersused to treat various cardiovascular conditions (such ashigh blood pressure).
If you take any medications that have been linked with gingival hyperplasia, it’s important to observe carefully for any signs and symptoms of gum inflammation.
Be sure to report any signs of inflammation (such as redness or swelling) to your dentist as well as to your physician. A dentist can provide treatment to help lower the risk of the development of gingival hyperplasia, as well as being able to treat existing symptoms.
Your physician may be able to switch your prescription to a type of medication that is less likely to cause gingival hyperplasia.
Studies
Phenytoin
According to a report published inPediatric Nephrology, of the approximately 2 million study participants taking phenytoin (an anticonvulsant medication, given for seizures), about half will have the development of some degree of gingival overgrowth (hyperplasia).”
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine, a drug commonly given to transplant patients to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs, has been known to cause gingival hyperplasia in approximately 13% to 85% of those taking the drug.
The percentage range is so wide because other factors that can adversely influence accurate results in studies, such as the fact that transplant patients usually take a myriad of different drugs at one time (including other medications that may increase the risk of gingival hyperplasia, like calcium channel blockers).
Nifedipine
Nifedipine is a type of calcium channel blocker given for high blood pressure. It has been the most closely linked drug (in its class) causing gingival hyperplasia. In fact, studies reported an incidence of 38% of those taking nifedipine who developed the condition. Other calcium channel blockers are also known to cause gingival hyperplasia.
Typically the symptoms begin in approximately one to three months after a person starts taking the medication. The higher the dosage, the more likely gingival hyperplasia occurs in animal studies, but this has not yet been confirmed in adult studies.
Some experts theorize that plaque accumulation and lack of proper oral hygiene are likely to increase the severity of this type of gingival hyperplasia.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that were identified according to a 2013 study, for gingival hyperplasia, these include:
Depending on the symptoms and the underlying cause of gingival hyperplasia, your healthcare provider may perform various diagnostic measures and tests, these may include:
Usually a thorough examination and history suffice to provide enough information to diagnose the underlying cause of gingival hyperlasia, but on rare occasions, lab tests and other diagnostic measures are performed.
The correct diagnosis of gingival hyperplasia (identifying the underlying cause) is vital to effective treatment. Treatment options may include:
Never discontinue taking any prescription medications without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
A Word From Verywell
Gingival hyperplasia can result in overgrowth of the gum tissue that can end up being severe enough to cover (or partially cover) the teeth. This can make good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) nearly impossible.
Prevention measures include good oral hygiene measures at home, regular dental exams and cleanings, and getting prompt and effective treatment when signs of inflammation or tissue overgrowth are first noticed.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Allon I, Lammert KM, Iwase R, Spears R, Wright JM, Naidu A.Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia possibly originates from the junctional gingival epithelium-an immunohistochemical study.Histopathology. 2016;68(4):549-55. doi:10.1111/his.12774Agrawal AA.Gingival enlargements: Differential diagnosis and review of literature.World J Clin Cases. 2015;3(9):779-88. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i9.779Bharti V, Bansal C.Drug-induced gingival overgrowth: The nemesis of gingiva unravelled.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013;17(2):182-7. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.113066Bokenkamp A, Bohnhorst B, Bêler C, Albere N, Offner G, Brodehl J.Nifedipine aggravates cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia.Pediatr Nephrol. 1994; 8: 181-185. doi:10.1007/BF00865474
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Allon I, Lammert KM, Iwase R, Spears R, Wright JM, Naidu A.Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia possibly originates from the junctional gingival epithelium-an immunohistochemical study.Histopathology. 2016;68(4):549-55. doi:10.1111/his.12774Agrawal AA.Gingival enlargements: Differential diagnosis and review of literature.World J Clin Cases. 2015;3(9):779-88. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i9.779Bharti V, Bansal C.Drug-induced gingival overgrowth: The nemesis of gingiva unravelled.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013;17(2):182-7. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.113066Bokenkamp A, Bohnhorst B, Bêler C, Albere N, Offner G, Brodehl J.Nifedipine aggravates cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia.Pediatr Nephrol. 1994; 8: 181-185. doi:10.1007/BF00865474
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Allon I, Lammert KM, Iwase R, Spears R, Wright JM, Naidu A.Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia possibly originates from the junctional gingival epithelium-an immunohistochemical study.Histopathology. 2016;68(4):549-55. doi:10.1111/his.12774Agrawal AA.Gingival enlargements: Differential diagnosis and review of literature.World J Clin Cases. 2015;3(9):779-88. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i9.779Bharti V, Bansal C.Drug-induced gingival overgrowth: The nemesis of gingiva unravelled.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013;17(2):182-7. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.113066Bokenkamp A, Bohnhorst B, Bêler C, Albere N, Offner G, Brodehl J.Nifedipine aggravates cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia.Pediatr Nephrol. 1994; 8: 181-185. doi:10.1007/BF00865474
Allon I, Lammert KM, Iwase R, Spears R, Wright JM, Naidu A.Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia possibly originates from the junctional gingival epithelium-an immunohistochemical study.Histopathology. 2016;68(4):549-55. doi:10.1111/his.12774
Agrawal AA.Gingival enlargements: Differential diagnosis and review of literature.World J Clin Cases. 2015;3(9):779-88. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i9.779
Bharti V, Bansal C.Drug-induced gingival overgrowth: The nemesis of gingiva unravelled.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013;17(2):182-7. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.113066
Bokenkamp A, Bohnhorst B, Bêler C, Albere N, Offner G, Brodehl J.Nifedipine aggravates cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia.Pediatr Nephrol. 1994; 8: 181-185. doi:10.1007/BF00865474
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