Gingivitis

The gums may look red, swollen, or shiny and can bleed during brushing or flossing. Bad breath, tenderness, and a change in gum contour may also occur. Gingivitis commonly causes little pain, so bleeding can be the first noticeable sign.

Plaque is a bacterial film that builds up around teeth. When it remains at the gum margin, the body’s inflammatory response makes the gum tissue swollen and prone to bleeding; hardened tartar makes the buildup harder to remove.

Gingivitis affects the gums and is the early form of gum disease. If inflammation persists, disease can progress to periodontitis, where pockets form and the tissues and bone supporting the teeth can be damaged.

Infrequent brushing or interdental cleaning leaves more plaque at the gum line. Smoking and other factors that affect gum health can make inflammation harder to control.

A gum examination looks for redness, swelling, bleeding, and changes in the gum margin. Checking the depth around teeth helps distinguish inflammation limited to the gums from deeper periodontal disease.

Treatment removes plaque and tartar and restores effective daily cleaning. Professional cleaning reaches deposits that brushing cannot remove, while brushing and cleaning between the teeth address the film that reforms each day.

Gingivitis usually needs care focused on plaque and tartar removal. The work becomes more extensive when examination finds deeper pockets or supporting-tissue damage consistent with periodontitis.

Persistent gum inflammation can progress beyond gingivitis to periodontitis. At that stage, pockets, attachment damage, bone loss, loose teeth, and eventual tooth loss can develop.

Brush twice a day, clean between the teeth, and arrange professional removal of tartar. These habits reduce the plaque that starts gum inflammation and help stop it returning.