Gum Inflammation – smileDentity Glossary
Prevention is the best protection – healthy teeth for life.
Healthy teeth begin with the right preventive care. At our practice, we rely on modern, gentle methods to protect your teeth at an early stage – without unnecessary strain. With radiation-free caries diagnostics and digital X-ray diagnostics we detect even the smallest changes before they become a problem. Because the earlier we act, the simpler and gentler the treatment.
How does gingivitis differ from periodontitis?
Gingivitis and Periodontitis describe two stages of the same chain of disease, with one crucial difference in the depth of tissue damage. If gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria can penetrate deeper and attack the jawbone. The transition to periodontitis (often colloquially referred to as “periodontosis”) marks the point at which irreversible damage can occur.
| Characteristic | Gingivitis | Periodontitis |
|---|---|---|
| Affected tissue | Gums only (gingiva) | Entire periodontium (bone, fibres) |
| Reversibility | Completely curable | Bone loss usually cannot be reversed |
| Risk of tooth loss | No direct risk | Possible in advanced cases |
| Pain | Usually painless | Often tenderness to pressure, later pain |
| Treatment | Improved oral hygiene, PTC | Gum pocket treatment (scaling and root planing) |
Symptoms of gum inflammation
The key facts at a glance
- Redness and swelling at the gum margin
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath despite regular care
- Sensitive tooth necks
- Usually no pain in the early stage
The symptoms of gum inflammation develop gradually. Healthy gums are light pink, fit tightly around the tooth, completely fill the spaces between the teeth and do not bleed. As soon as this picture changes, attention is required.
Typical signs of gingivitis at a glance:
– Redness: The gums change from light pink to dark red or bluish.
– Swelling: The tissue looks swollen and no longer fits tightly against the tooth.
– Bleeding: Even slight pressure, for example when brushing or using dental floss, triggers bleeding.
– Bad breath: Bacteria that trigger inflammatory reactions produce sulphur compounds with a characteristic odour.
– Sensitive tooth necks: Slight swelling or the beginning of gum recession can expose the necks of the teeth.
– Changed gum contour: The gums look bulging or irregularly shaped.
When are bleeding gums a warning sign?
Bleeding gums when brushing are not a sign that you are brushing too hard – they are an indication of inflammation. Healthy gums do not bleed, even when you clean your teeth thoroughly.
Bleeding once after a dental appointment or after intensive cleaning can be harmless. Recurrent bleeding gums over more than a week, however, are a clear sign that bacteria are irritating the gum tissue. Anyone who ignores this signal risks the inflammation spreading and attacking deeper tissue.
Causes: how does gum inflammation develop?
The key facts at a glance
- Primary cause: bacterial plaque at the gum margin
- If not removed, plaque turns into tartar – harder deposits that only the dentist can remove
- The body’s immune response to bacterial toxins causes the inflammation
- Various risk factors increase the tendency to inflammation
After every meal, a bacterial film forms on the teeth – the so-called biofilm or dental plaque. What sounds harmless is the starting point of every gum inflammation. If these deposits are not removed by brushing and flossing, plaque mineralises into tartar within about 72 hours.
Tartar is a hard, rough deposit that particularly likes to settle at the gum margin. The bacteria living there release toxins that irritate the surrounding tissue. The immune system responds with an inflammatory reaction: increased blood flow, fluid retention, tissue swelling – the classic signs of gingivitis. Tartar can only be removed by a professional teeth cleaning (PTC); brushing alone is not enough.
Have your gums been bleeding for more than a week?
We will determine the cause in a personal appointment at our practice.
Frequently asked questions about gum inflammation (FAQ)
If the cause is not eliminated, the inflammation turns into a chronic form that can persist for months to years and gradually progress to periodontitis. After professional teeth cleaning, the bleeding noticeably subsides within just a few days in most patients.
The bacteria that cause it can theoretically be transmitted via saliva, when kissing or through shared cutlery. However, gum inflammation only develops in the recipient if inadequate oral hygiene and a corresponding individual susceptibility are also present there. The real risk lies not in infection, but in poor oral hygiene: anyone who consistently cares for their teeth gives bacteria no chance, regardless of contact with others.
In the early stage, mild gingivitis can regress if oral hygiene is significantly improved and there is no mineralised tartar. As soon as tartar is present, it permanently maintains the cause of the inflammation; spontaneous complete healing without removing the tartar is then not possible. If in doubt: improvement after a week of better care is a good sign; if there is none, you should see a dentist.
With gum inflammation, the rule is: keep brushing – and do so thoroughly. Anyone who hesitates or becomes gentler out of a mistaken protective reflex allows plaque to grow and makes the inflammation worse. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can further irritate the already irritated tissue and should be avoided. Placing aspirin directly on the gums is also counterproductive and can damage the tissue.