Gingivitis – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that affects the gingiva—the gum tissue around the base of your teeth. This common condition causes symptoms like redness, swelling, irritation, and bleeding gums.

Gingivitis doesn’t cause bone loss, but it needs quick treatment to prevent it from developing into periodontitis, which can result in tooth loss.

Poor oral hygiene stands as the primary cause of gingivitis. The good news is that this condition can be both prevented and reversed through proper dental care habits.

• Brushing teeth at least twice daily
• Flossing once every day
• Attending regular dental checkups

Maintaining these simple oral health practices helps keep gingivitis at bay and promotes healthier gums and teeth.

Signs and Symptoms

Healthy gums should be pale pink and firmly attached to the teeth. When gum disease begins, you might notice:

• Swollen or puffy gums
• Gums that appear bright red, dark red, or darker than normal
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Gum tenderness
• Persistent bad breath

Your gums should not bleed during normal oral care. If they do, this is an early warning sign that something isn’t right.

When You Should Visit a Dental Professional

Make a dental appointment as soon as you notice any signs of gum problems. Quick action gives you the best chance to reverse gingivitis before it develops into more serious periodontitis.

If your symptoms don’t get better with treatment, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in gum disease. Don’t wait until pain develops, as early stages of gum disease are often painless.

Causes

Gingivitis occurs from poor dental hygiene, which allows plaque to accumulate on teeth and inflame the gums.

How plaque contributes to gingivitis:

1. Plaque formation: A colorless, sticky film made mainly of bacteria that forms on teeth after eating starches and sugars. Daily removal is necessary as plaque forms rapidly.

2. Tartar development: When plaque remains on teeth, it can harden beneath the gum line into tartar (calculus). This substance:

   • Creates a protective environment for bacteria
   • Makes plaque removal more difficult
   • Irritates the gum line
   • Requires professional dental cleaning for removal

3. Gum inflammation: Occurs when plaque and tartar irritate the gingiva, the area around the base of the teeth. This leads to swelling and easy bruising, the primary symptoms of gingivitis.

Without proper treatment, this condition may progress to more serious issues, including:

• Tooth decay
• Periodontitis (advanced gum disease)
• Eventual tooth loss

Risk Factors

Many factors can raise your chance of getting gingivitis. These include:

• Not brushing or flossing regularly
• Using tobacco products
• Being older
• Having a dry mouth
• Poor diet, especially low vitamin C intake
• Dental work that doesn’t fit well (fillings, bridges, implants)
• Teeth that are difficult to clean due to misalignment
• Weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia or HIV/AIDS
• Cancer treatments
• Certain medications, including some seizure drugs and blood pressure medicines
• Hormone changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or from birth control pills
• Genetic factors
• Certain viral and fungal infections

Complications

Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a serious condition where the infection affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Without proper treatment, periodontitis can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Research suggests potential connections between gum disease and several systemic health conditions. These include respiratory problems, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists believe bacteria from infected gums might enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting other parts of the body. However, additional research is needed to fully establish these relationships.

In rare cases, gingivitis can develop into necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG), commonly known as trench mouth. This severe form causes:

• Extremely painful gums
• Bleeding gum tissue
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Bad breath

Trench mouth is rare in developed countries but still common in areas with poor nutrition and living conditions.

Prevention

Good oral care habits can stop gingivitis before it starts. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice daily—morning and night.

Floss once daily, ideally before brushing, to remove food particles and bacteria between your teeth.

Consistent dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining optimal oral health. See your dentist every 6–12 months for professional cleanings.

Some people may need more frequent visits if they have risk factors like dry mouth, certain medications, or smoking habits. These factors can increase your risk of developing more serious gum disease.

Yearly dental X-rays help detect problems not visible during regular exams.

A healthy lifestyle also promotes optimal gum health. Eat nutritious foods and manage any chronic conditions you have.

For instance, if you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar under control helps protect your gums.

Making these practices part of your daily routine will significantly reduce your risk of gingivitis and more serious gum problems.