Dental question about taxonomy:condition:gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum margin, commonly linked to plaque, and it can cause bleeding, redness, swelling, and tenderness.
The short answer
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums around the teeth, most often caused by plaque that remains at the gum margin. Typical signs include bleeding during brushing, redness, puffiness, tenderness, or persistent bad breath.
How does sticky plaque irritate the gum tissue?
Plaque is a sticky microbial film that irritates the gingival tissue. Gingivitis affects the soft gum tissues and does not by itself mean that the supporting bone has been lost, although untreated inflammation can coexist with or progress to periodontal disease.
How should you clean along and between the teeth?
Brush gently along the gumline with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth every day. A dental professional can remove hardened calculus with scaling; brushing cannot remove calculus once it has bonded to the tooth.
When should regular gum bleeding be checked?
Book a dental examination for regular gum bleeding, persistent swelling, gum recession, loose teeth, pus, or a change in how teeth fit together. Rapid facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing needs urgent care.
How will the dentist assess calculus, pockets, and tooth support?
Ask whether the inflammation is limited to the gums, whether calculus is present, and how the gum pockets and tooth support will be assessed. Ask for a brushing and interdental-cleaning technique suited to your mouth.
Frequently asked questions
Can gingivitis be reversed?
The inflammation can often improve when plaque and calculus are controlled, but persistent bleeding needs examination to check for deeper gum disease.
Does gingivitis always hurt?
No. Gingivitis may bleed or look swollen without significant pain, which is why painless bleeding should still be assessed.
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.