What is the Difference Between Scurvy and Gingivitis

The key difference between scurvy and gingivitis is that scurvy is a medical condition due to a lack of vitamin C, causing weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems, while gingivitis is a medical condition due to poor oral hygiene, causing irritation, redness, and swelling of the gingiva that surrounds the base of the teeth.

Scurvy and gingivitis are two medical conditions that are correlated. Scurvy is a nutritional disease that is due to a deficiency in vitamin C. The general manifestations of scurvy include bleeding abnormalities, petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, perifollicular and subperiosteal hemorrhage, bleeding gums, and hemarthrosis. Furthermore, severe vitamin C deficiency in scurvy leads to a condition called scorbutic gingivitis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Scurvy 
3. What is Gingivitis
4. Similarities – Scurvy and Gingivitis
5. Scurvy vs Gingivitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Scurvy vs Gingivitis

What is Scurvy?

Scurvy is a medical condition that is due to a deficiency in vitamin C, which causes weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems. Vitamin C is used to produce collagen, heal wounds, support the immune system, and many other internal processes. The first symptom of scurvy will generally develop after three months of extremely low vitamin C levels. Scurvy may develop due to not including fruits and vegetables in the diet, eating disorders, difficulty in eating (after chemotherapy), smoking, drug or alcohol abuse, poor diet while breastfeeding and pregnancy, and type 1 diabetes. The common signs and symptoms of scurvy may include lethargy, loss of appetite, fatigue, anemia, petechiae, irritability, body aches, swelling or edema, bruising, oral problems, old wounds open, shortness of breath, and mood changes or depression.

Scurvy can be diagnosed through physical examination, testing vitamin C in the blood, and imaging tests for internal damages. Furthermore, treatments for scurvy include administration of vitamin C supplements by mouth or by injection (100 mg for 1 to 3 months).

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a medical condition that is due to poor oral hygiene. As a result, it causes irritation, redness, and swelling of the gingiva that surrounds the base of the teeth. Gingivitis can lead to serious complications such as periodontitis and tooth loss. The causes of gingivitis include plaque forming on the teeth, plaque turning into tartar, and gingival becoming inflamed. The risk factors for gingivitis may include poor oral care habits, smoking, chewing tobacco, older age, dry mouth, poor nutrition, a dental restoration that does not fit properly, conditions that decrease immunity (leukemia), certain drugs (Dilantin, Phenytek), hormonal changes, genetics, and medical conditions like viral and fungal infections. The symptoms of gingivitis may include swollen or puffy gums, dusky red or dark red gums, gums that easily bleed, bad breath, receding gums, and tender gums.

Gingivitis can be diagnosed through a review of dental and medical history, examination of teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue, measuring the pocket depth, dental X-rays, and other tests. Furthermore, treatments for gingivitis may include professional dental cleaning, dental restoration, ongoing care, and lifestyle remedies (brushing teeth twice daily, flossing daily, using a soft toothbrush, using a mouth rinse to reduce plaque development, getting a regular dental cleaning, and stopping smoking and chewing tobacco).

What are the Similarities Between Scurvy and Gingivitis?

• Scurvy and gingivitis are two medical conditions that are related.
• Severe vitamin C deficiency in scurvy leads to a condition known as scorbutic gingivitis.
• Both medical conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination.
• They are not life-threatening conditions.

What is the Difference Between Scurvy and Gingivitis?

Scurvy is a medical condition that is due to a lack of vitamin C and results in weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems, while gingivitis is a medical condition that is due to poor oral hygiene and results in irritation, redness, and swelling of the gingiva that surrounds the base of the teeth. Thus, this is the key difference between scurvy and gingivitis. Furthermore, scurvy is a nutritional disease, while gingivitis is a gum disease.

The below infographic presents the differences between scurvy and gingivitis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Scurvy vs Gingivitis

Scurvy and gingivitis are two medical conditions that are related. Severe vitamin C deficiency in scurvy leads to a condition called scorbutic gingivitis, which is characterized by ulcerative gingivitis. Scurvy occurs due to a deficiency in vitamin C, causing weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems. Gingivitis occurs due to poor oral hygiene, causing irritation, redness, and swelling of the gingiva that surrounds the base of the teeth. So, this summarizes the difference between scurvy and gingivitis.

Reference:

1. Beard, Teresa. “What Is Scurvy? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” WebMD.
2. “Gingivitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Representation of patient with Scurvy, 1929 Wellcome L0013403” By Welcome Images (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Gingivitis-before-and-after-3” By Onetimeuseaccount – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia