Gingivitis

What is gingivitis (gum disease)?

If you have symptoms of gum disease, don’t panic. There are many steps you can take to manage symptoms and prevent the disease from worsening.

Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that causes red, swollen, bleeding gums.

It is also known as periodontal disease.

It is very common and affects more than half of adults in the UK. While gingivitis is a mild, early-stage form of gum disease, it is important to get treatment as it can progress to more serious gum disease (periodontitis) which can damage the bones in your jaw and lead to possible tooth loss.

How to maintain good oral health

What causes gingivitis

Gingivitis is caused by poor dental hygiene — not taking proper care of your gums and teeth. When we don’t keep our teeth and gums clean and healthy, plaque and tarter build up on our teeth leading to a bacterial infection and inflammation of your gums (gingivitis).

Stages of gingivitis

During the first stage, a sticky, colourless substance called plaque builds up on your teeth. Plaque consists of bacteria that form on your teeth after eating foods containing sugar or starch. Plaque builds up quickly and needs to be removed every day with regular tooth brushing.

Over time, plaque turns into tartar, a hard substance that collects under the gumline, harbours bacteria and irritates your gums. Tartar can only be removed with professional cleaning by a dentist or dental nurse.

The gum tissue around the base of your teeth (the gingiva) becomes irritated, swollen and inflamed. The longer plaque and tartar are not removed, the worse the inflammation gets, and gingivitis develops.

Who gets gingivitis?

The biggest risk factor for gingivitis and gum disease is poor oral hygiene (not taking care of your teeth and gums properly).

You may have an increased risk of gingivitis if you:

• Have a family history of gingivitis or gum disease
• Are male — the cause of this is unclear, but it may be hormone-related
• Are older — gingivitis normally affects adults and becomes more common as you age
• Smoke — smoking weakens your immune system and reduces your body’s ability to fight infection
• Are pregnant — hormonal changes in pregnancy may increase your risk of gingivitis
• Have diabetes
• Have a nutritional deficiency such as low levels of vitamin C
• Have a weakened immune system
• Are from a lower socioeconomic background
• Have teeth that are more difficult to clean such as overcrowded or crooked teeth
• Use a poorly fitting dental appliance
• Take certain medications that reduce the production of saliva and cause xerostomia (dry mouth)

How do I know if I have gingivitis?

In the early stages of gingivitis or gum disease, you may have mild or no symptoms. Without treatment, gum disease gets worse over time and symptoms develop.

Symptoms of gingivitis and gum disease include:

• Red, tender, swollen gums
• Bleeding gums, especially after brushing, flossing or eating hard foods such as apples 
• Pain or tenderness when eating 
• Sensitivity to hot or cold food or drinks
• Bad breath (halitosis) that doesn’t improve after you clean your teeth or use mouthwash 
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Your gums shrinking and pulling away from your teeth
• Your teeth becoming loose or falling out

How is gingivitis diagnosed?

When you arrive for your dental appointment, your dentist will ask you about your symptoms and how long you’ve been having them. They will also ask about your dental history, any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking.

Your dentist will perform a thorough dental examination to check the health of your teeth and gums.

Tests for gingivitis

Your dentist may perform some tests to confirm a diagnosis of gingivitis or check for other conditions.

Measuring the pocket depth

Your dentist will insert a dental probe (like a tiny ruler) beside your tooth under the gum line to measure the pocket depth (the groove between your gums and your teeth). A pocket depth of more than 4 mm may indicate gum disease.

Dental X-rays

Your dentist may take dental X-rays to check for early tooth decay that may not have yet caused cavities. Dental X-rays can also identify and assess gum damage and bone loss in areas where you have increased pocket depth.

Other tests

In some cases, if your gum disease is advanced, or the cause of your gingivitis is unclear, your dentist may refer you to another medical professional or a specialist dentist called a periodontist for further tests and treatment.

Can gingivitis be treated?

Yes. Gingivitis can usually be treated. Gingivitis treatment depends on the type of gum disease you have and how severe it is.

Mild gum disease

If your gum disease is mild and in the early stages, you can usually treat gingivitis by practising and maintaining good oral hygiene.

Your dentist will clean your teeth and remove any plaque and tartar. They will advise you on how to brush and floss your teeth correctly and how to care for your teeth and gums to prevent plaque and tartar from building up in the future. Your dentist will also advise you on lifestyle changes you can make to manage your gingivitis such as following a healthy diet, quitting smoking and managing any health conditions such as diabetes effectively.

Severe gum disease

If your gum disease is severe or advanced, you may need to have more advanced treatment. This will normally be carried out under the care of a specialist in gum disease called a periodontist.

Treatment for advanced gum disease may include antibiotics to treat any underlying infection, deep dental cleaning known as scaling and root planing, and surgery.

How can I prevent gum disease?

The best way to prevent gingivitis and gum disease is by taking care of your teeth and maintaining good dental and oral health.

Brush your teeth twice a day

Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. It’s best to brush your teeth before you go to bed and at one other time during the day such as in the morning. Avoid brushing your teeth within an hour of eating or drinking as this can damage your enamel (the protective outer covering of your teeth). You can use a manual or electric toothbrush, but make sure you brush thoroughly, reaching every surface of your teeth, for at least two minutes. You can use a mouthwash or mouth rinse containing fluoride, but not straight after brushing as this can wash away the concentrated fluoride in your toothpaste.

Remember to always floss

Flossing or using dental sticks once a day removes any plaque and food debris between your teeth and helps reduce your risk of gum disease. It can also help to prevent bad breath by removing food particles and bacteria.

Don’t smoke

Smoking tobacco increases your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, root decay and mouth cancer. It also makes you more likely to get infections and develop complications after dental surgery. From an aesthetic perspective, smoking also causes discolouration of your teeth and can ruin your smile by turning your teeth yellow or brown. Smoking also contributes to bad breath.

Read our top tips to help you quit smoking

Limit alcohol

While drinking in moderation can be part of a healthy lifestyle, excessive alcohol intake can be detrimental to your oral health. Many alcoholic drinks contain sugar which leads to tooth decay. Alcohol can also erode the enamel that protects your teeth. In addition, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you pee more, leading to dehydration and a dry mouth —which increases your risk of tooth decay. Heavy alcohol consumption can also weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight infections including gum disease.

Follow a healthy diet

Sugar interacts with bacteria in your mouth and leads to tooth decay, so limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks, including those containing natural sugar such as fruit juice and smoothies. If you do consume products containing sugar, it's best to have them as part of a meal and avoid snacking as this will limit the time your teeth are exposed to sugar. Following an overall healthy diet rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals will boost your overall health and reduce your risk of gum disease.

Have regular check-ups

Even if you don’t have any symptoms, regular dental check-ups are important to maintain your oral health, detect any problems early and have your teeth professionally cleaned. Scaling removes tartar, protects the health of your gums and helps to prevent gum disease.

How often you need to have a dental check-up varies from person to person and depends on how good your oral health is. Your dentist will advise you on how often you need to have your teeth checked.

Get help with Circle Health Group

At Circle Health Group we offer a range of treatment options, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, for more complex oral problems.

If you would like to learn more about our treatment options, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 4921