Gingivitis
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Get to know your gums
Gingivitis can cause your gums to swell and bleed. On the other hand, periodontitis can make your gums recede and pull away from the teeth, forming pockets where bacteria can multiply.
Symptoms of gingivitis
Most people don’t realise that they have gum disease. It’s possible to have gingivitis without any symptoms, but symptoms can include:
- Tender, red or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- Having loose teeth
- Changes in how your teeth fit together
- Pus between your teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Having dentures that don’t fit
- Bad-smelling breath that doesn’t go away even after you brush your teeth
What causes gingivitis?
When it comes to gums, you might think that the surface of what you can see is all there is, however, your gums actually go much deeper than you may realise, and attach to your teeth at a lower point than the gum edges. This forms a space called a sulcus. Food and plaque can get trapped in the sulcus, leading to gingivitis or other types of gum disease.
Plaque is a sticky, colourless film of bacteria that can form on the surface of your teeth. As plaque develops, it can harden and turn into tartar. If plaque extends below the gum line, it can turn into a gum disease.
Gingivitis can be plaque-induced (usually because of poor oral hygiene) or non-plaque-induced. Non-plaque-induced gingivitis includes gingivitis which is caused by:
- Bacteria
- Fungus
- Viruses
- Allergic reactions
- Trauma
- Genetic disorders
You have a higher risk of getting gingivitis if:
- You smoke or chew tobacco
- You have diabetes
- You’re on a certain medication or having chemotherapy
- You’re pregnant
- You have broken fillings
Treatment & prevention of gingivitis
Can gingivitis be prevented?
Gingivitis can be prevented with proper and consistent oral and dental hygiene. This includes:
- Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day
- Thinking about using an electric toothbrush to help you clean your teeth more effectively
- Flossing daily to help remove plaque from between your teeth. You can also use an interdental brush or water flosser
- Avoiding smoking or using other products that contain tobacco
You can learn more about how to properly clean your teeth and your gums with our dental and oral health page.
How is gingivitis treated?
To treat gingivitis, you need to practice good oral hygiene. Other treatments can include:
- A dental practitioner deep cleaning your teeth
- Medications (if prescribed)
You should also try to quit smoking if you do smoke. Quitting smoking can lead to healthier gums and teeth, but we understand that it can be difficult, so we’ve put together our top tips to help you overcome your cravings and quit.
You can access the NHS Stop Smoking Service22 at selected Boots pharmacies for support. The Boots Online Doctor Stop Smoking Treatment service2 can also help you access treatment to support your journey to quitting.
Cleaning your teeth
There are several ways that a dental professional can deep clean your teeth without having surgery:
- Scaling – this is to remove tartar from above and below the gum line
- Root planing – this is to smooth rough spots and remove plaque and tartar from the root surface
- Lasers – this is to remove tartar but it’s known to be less painful than scaling and root planing
Medications
Your dentist might advise you to take medication to treat your gingivitis, these include:
- An antiseptic mouthwash that has chlorhexidine in it to disinfect your mouth
- Antibiotics (if needed they’ll be prescribed)
Gingivitis & other health conditions
Research has shown that if you have gingivitis, you might also have an increased risk of:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung disease
Having gum disease can also increase your risk of having a baby with a low birth weight or a premature baby. Although research has shown that gingivitis is linked to the above conditions, it hasn’t been shown to cause them.
The importance of dental check-ups
You might think you should only have a dental check-up every six months, but this depends on your individual needs. Some people might not need to visit their dentist often, whilst others may need more frequent checks. Your dentist should let you know when to book in for your next check-up and this is dependent on how good your oral and dental health is.
Having a dental check-up means that your dentist can see if you have any dental problems. They can also give you advice to keep your mouth healthy. If you leave problems untreated, this can make them harder to treat in the future. It’s best to deal with any problems early or if possible, prevent problems.
Smile between checkups
Frequently asked questions
Gingivitis can go away on its own with good oral hygiene, like regular brushing and flossing. However, see your dentist if you think you have gingivitis, as you may also need professional dental cleaning. Treating gingivitis early can stop it from developing into periodontitis. You can learn more about treating gingivitis in the “Treating gingivitis” section of the page.
Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition. If you remove the cause of the inflammation, you can reduce your risk of gingivitis. The most common cause of gingivitis is plaque, so keeping the plaque under control by brushing twice a day can help to treat and prevent gingivitis. You can brush away plaque, but as gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, this can’t be brushed away. By brushing away plaque and tartar, you can reduce your risk of gingivitis.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums while periodontitis is a long-term inflammation that not only affects the gums, but also the tissues and, in some cases the bone around the teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and periodontitis is advanced gum disease.
Mild gingivitis can be treated through good oral hygiene. But if you notice symptoms of gingivitis, make sure to see your dentist. They’ll be able to look at your gums and let you know if you need deep cleaning for your teeth. Prompt treatment is key to preventing gingivitis from becoming a more serious gum condition like periodontitis. Regular visits to your dentist can also help spot any gum problems early.
1Subject to availability. Eligibility criteria may apply. Charges may apply.
2Access to prescription-only treatment is subject to an online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply.
22Available in selected England stores only. Charges may apply. Subject to availability, eligibility criteria apply.
25Subject to availability. Eligibility criteria may apply. Charges may apply. The service is available in selected stores across England only, for those aged 18 years & over and meets the suitability criteria. The service does not provide a diagnosis of diabetes.
†The Hygiene Bank is a registered charity in:
England and Wales number: 1181267
Scotland number: SC049895
