Dental question about taxonomy:condition:gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum margin, usually caused by plaque, and it can often improve with cleaning and daily plaque removal.
The short answer
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue around the teeth, usually caused by plaque collecting at the gum margin. The gums may look red or swollen and bleed when brushed, without the bone loss that defines periodontitis.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Plaque is a soft bacterial film that forms on teeth. If it remains beside the gingival margin, the immune response makes the nearby tissue tender, puffy, and prone to bleeding.
What can you do next?
Brush gently twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth with floss or an interdental brush. A dentist or hygienist can remove hardened calculus, which home brushing cannot remove.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange an examination if bleeding, swelling, bad breath, or tenderness persists after improving cleaning, or if gums pull away from teeth. Urgent care is appropriate for facial swelling, fever, pus, or difficulty swallowing.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the inflammation is limited to the gingiva, whether calculus or another problem is present, and whether periodontal probing or dental radiographs are needed. Ask for a specific home-cleaning plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can gingivitis be reversed?
Early gingivitis can often improve when plaque and calculus are removed and daily cleaning is consistent.
Does gingivitis always hurt?
No. Gingivitis may bleed or swell with little pain, so painless bleeding still deserves attention.