Dental question about taxonomy:condition:gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum margin, usually causing redness, swelling, tenderness, or bleeding during brushing.
The short answer
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva, the soft tissue surrounding the necks of the teeth. It is commonly driven by plaque bacteria at the gumline, but hormonal changes, smoking, dry mouth, medicines, and poorly fitting dental work can contribute.
Why does plaque make the gums become inflamed?
Plaque left at the gum margin triggers an inflammatory response. The gums may become puffy and bleed easily, while the supporting bone is not yet lost as it is in periodontitis.
How can you remove plaque from the gumline?
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth with floss or an interdental brush suited to the spaces. A dental cleaning removes hardened calculus that home brushing cannot remove, followed by a review of technique and risk factors.
Which gum symptoms should prompt a dental examination?
Book an examination if bleeding continues, gums are very swollen, teeth feel loose, bad breath persists, or recession and pus appear. Prompt care matters because untreated gum inflammation can progress into deeper periodontal disease.
What can distinguish gingivitis from deeper gum disease?
Ask whether the findings are gingivitis or periodontitis, where plaque and calculus are present, and which interdental cleaning method fits your gum spaces.
Frequently asked questions
Ask whether the findings are gingivitis or periodontitis, where plaque and calculus are present, and which interdental cleaning method fits your gum spaces.?
Ask whether the findings are gingivitis or periodontitis, where plaque and calculus are present, and which interdental cleaning method fits your gum spaces.
Can home care replace a dental examination?
Home care can reduce irritation and plaque, but it cannot diagnose or remove causes such as decay, infection, calculus, cracks, or attachment loss.
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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.