What is Gingivitis?

If you have gingivitis, you may notice that your gums become reddish, swollen, and bleed easily when brushing, using dental floss, or eating certain foods. In addition, you may also experience bad breath or tenderness around your gum line. This early form of gum disease results from the accumulation of plaque, tartar and bacteria on your teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more serious type of gum disease that affects your jawbones, called periodontitis.

Causes of Gingivitis

Several factors can contribute to the development of gingivitis, such as the following:

Poor oral hygiene:

This can lead to plaque build-up along your gum line, resulting in irritation.

Smoking or vaping (tobacco use):

Tobacco has a lot of negative effects, including gum irritation and decreased blood circulation, which affect the ability of the gums to heal.

Skipping regular dental check-ups and cleans:

This can lead to plaque and tartar build-up over time, which is the primary cause of gingivitis.

Hormonal changes:

Changes in the level of hormones during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can cause gum sensitivity, bleeding, and swelling.

Certain medical conditions:

Certain diseases, such as diabetes, can affect your body’s ability to fight infection, thus increasing the risk of gum inflammation.

Certain medicines:

Some medicines can have side effects such as dry mouth or gum changes, which can cause plaque build-up and gum irritation.

Poor nutrition:

A diet low in vitamin C can affect your gums’ healing ability.

Stress:

Prolonged exposure to stress can affect your body’s immune response.

Ill-fitting dental appliances:

These can rub the gums and cause irritation.

Crowded teeth:

These areas are hard to clean, allowing plaque to be trapped more easily.

Weakened immune system:

You may have difficulty controlling bacteria in your mouth, resulting in more gum inflammation.

During your consultation at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Northern NSW, the dental team will assess your medical history, lifestyle, diet, current medications, and other factors to determine what may be contributing to your gingivitis and whether any treatment is recommended for your condition.

Signs and Symptoms

In the early stages of gingivitis, the symptoms are not very noticeable. However, if left untreated, the condition can worsen over time, leading to the following signs and symptoms:

Bad breath that doesn’t go away, even after brushing
Bleeding of gums when you brush your teeth or use dental floss
Redness and swelling of your gums
Gum sensitivity to hot or cold foods
Tenderness or pain when you chew food

If you have any of the above signs and symptoms, you should consult with a dental professional for further evaluation and management. It is important to keep in mind that this early form of gum disease can progress if it is not managed properly, which may increase the risk of more serious gum problems over time.

Diagnosis and Tests

To diagnose gingivitis and understand how it may be affecting your gums, the dental team may use the following tests:

Visual dental and gum examination: This involves checking your gums for signs and symptoms such as redness, swelling, changes in gum shape, plaque build-up along the gum line, and irritation around specific teeth.
Gum bleeding check: This involves checking if your gums bleed easily, especially when brushing, using dental floss, or during examination of the mouth structures.
Periodontal probing (gum pocket measurements): During this test, the dentist uses a small measuring device to check the gum pocket, which is the space between your tooth and gum.
Dental X-rays (if necessary): X-rays are not always required for gingivitis, but they may be used to check the bone around your teeth for any structural changes and the presence of more advanced gum disease.
Review of medical history and risk factors: During this process, you may be asked about your lifestyle, diet, current medications, previous dental check-ups, and signs and symptoms related to gingivitis.

Once your assessment is complete, the dental team will explain the findings in a clear and simple manner and recommend the next steps. Depending on the extent and severity of your gingivitis, treatments such as a professional cleaning or lifestyle changes may be recommended. If needed, they may also recommend follow-up visits to monitor how your gums change over time.

Treatment

Treatment for gingivitis focuses on addressing the root cause of the condition. This includes removing plaque and bacteria build-up and treating gum inflammation. The dental team will create a treatment plan depending on your gum condition, overall health, and specific needs.

Common gingivitis treatments include:

Professional dental cleaning: This procedure involves a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from around your gum line.
Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning): This treatment is similar to a routine professional dental cleaning, but it targets the area under your gums.
Improved oral hygiene at home: The dentist will teach you the correct way to use a brush and floss, and may recommend tools like floss picks, an electric toothbrush, or interdental brushes depending on your needs.
Antimicrobial mouthwash: This may be recommended for short-term use to help reduce the build-up of bacteria.
Treatment for dry mouth (if present): Dry mouth can contribute to gingivitis and can be treated with increased fluid intake, sugar-free gum, or specific products designed to increase saliva production.

It is important to keep in mind that treatment for gingivitis may vary from patient to patient depending on the cause of the inflammation, how severe it is, and your overall oral health. The dental team will assess your gums, plaque build-up, current medications, lifestyle, diet, and any risk factors that may be contributing to the problem. Based on this, they will create a treatment plan that suits your needs.

When to See a Dentist or Doctor?

You should see a dentist if you notice that your gingivitis symptoms are not improving and if you develop new symptoms. By doing so, proper medical assessment and intervention can be performed, thus preventing the condition from progressing into a more serious type of gum disease.

Make an appointment at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Pottsville if you have any of the following:

Bad breath that does not go away, even with consistent brushing and flossing
Bleeding gums when brushing, flossing, or eating
Gums pulling away from the teeth
Loose teeth or changes in your bite
Pain when chewing
Pus or swelling in your gums
Red or tender gums

Prevention

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into a more serious type of gum disease. But there are things you can do to prevent it:

Brush thoroughly two to three times a day.
Manage medical conditions such as diabetes.
Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
Use the recommended dental floss.
Avoid alcoholic drinks and foods that are high in sugar.
See a dentist at least once a year for checkups.

If you are at a higher risk for gingivitis, you may need more checkups and professional dental cleaning to prevent the development of gum disease. A dental professional can recommend how often you should schedule visits based on your gum health and risk factors.

Why Contact Oasis Dental Studio for Gingivitis Issues

If you are concerned about gingivitis or if you are at higher risk for developing this early form of gum disease, the dental team at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast (Broadbeach, Palm Beach, Chirn Park, and Ferry Road), Brisbane (West End), Melbourne (Brighton), and Northern NSW (Pottsville) can help you understand the condition and provide appropriate treatment options based on your medical history and oral health. During your consultation, the team will assess your medical history, lifestyle, diet, current medications, and other factors to determine what may be contributing to your gingivitis. Based on these assessments, they will create a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Our clinics are QIP-accredited, which means they are checked against set standards for safe and high-quality care. In addition, this means that the dental team focus on listening to patient concerns, supporting different needs, and improving overall patient care. Furthermore, the team works with Australian dental labs and uses premium materials to support consistent care across all locations.

If treatment is recommended, the dental team can talk you through the options that may suit you, such as professional dental cleaning, scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), proper oral hygiene, antimicrobial mouthwash, and treatments that address the root cause of gingivitis. They will discuss whether treatment may help with reducing gum bleeding and swelling, improving comfort when doing daily activities like brushing or eating, and supporting healthier gums over time. During this process, you will also have the chance to ask questions to understand what the treatment involves, including the costs, recovery, risks, and aftercare.

More ODS dental symptoms pages:

Medical references for Gingivitis:

Gingivitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention