Dental question about taxonomy:condition:gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue, most often caused by plaque at the gumline, and it can usually improve with professional and daily clean
The short answer
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue, most often caused by plaque at the gumline, and it can usually improve with professional and daily cleaning. Gingivitis affects the gingiva, the pink tissue surrounding the teeth, without the bone loss that defines periodontitis.
How can plaque bacteria make gums red and bleed?
Plaque bacteria trigger an inflammatory response that can cause redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding. Gingivitis affects the gingiva, the pink tissue surrounding the teeth, without the bone loss that defines periodontitis.
What treatment removes calculus and plaque-retaining factors?
Treatment includes careful brushing, cleaning between teeth, removal of hardened calculus, and correction of plaque-retaining factors. Plaque bacteria trigger an inflammatory response that can cause redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding.
When should bleeding or painful gums be examined?
See a dentist if gums bleed repeatedly, recede, feel painful, or produce pus or persistent bad breath. Gingivitis affects the gingiva, the pink tissue surrounding the teeth, without the bone loss that defines periodontitis.
How can you clean each tooth and check for calculus?
Ask whether the inflammation is limited to gingivitis, where calculus is present, and how to clean around each tooth. Plaque bacteria trigger an inflammatory response that can cause redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem be treated at home?
The next step depends on the cause, severity, and condition of your teeth, gums, or mouth tissue.
What signs mean I should not wait?
See a dentist if gums bleed repeatedly, recede, feel painful, or produce pus or persistent bad breath.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.