What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a gum infection and inflammation caused by bacteria in dental plaque and tartar. Ideally, your gums should be a healthy pink, fitting snugly around your teeth. If you have gingivitis, your gums are likely to bleed easily, they may look red and swollen and could feel slightly tender. One problem with gingivitis is that these symptoms are easily overlooked, allowing a disease that is easily curable to progress into periodontitis. This is much more serious and can lead to tooth loss and may even affect your general health. It is one of the reasons why regular check-ups are so important.

Diagnosing and Treating Gingivitis

A check-up will soon determine if you have gingivitis and during these early stages it can often be treated with a professional dental cleaning. This removes the dental plaque and tartar causing the infection and inflammation, allowing your gums to heal. We can also give you advice on how to look after your teeth at home. Regular brushing and flossing is vitally important, even if initially your gums bleed slightly. If you stick to a good oral care routine, then they should soon become healthier and stronger and will no longer bleed.

If you have noticed blood on your toothbrush just recently, please contact us to book an appointment so we can treat your gingivitis before it causes permanent damage.