Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease characterized by inflammation of the gums (gingivae).
Gingivitis results most often from inadequate brushing and flossing but may result from medical disorders or the use of certain drugs.
The gums are red and swollen and bleed easily.
The diagnosis is typically based on a dentist's examination of the gums.
Good oral hygiene, frequent professional cleanings, and adequate nutrition usually eliminate gingivitis, and some mouthwashes may help.
Gingivitis is an extremely common disease in which the gums become red and swollen and bleed easily. Gingivitis causes little pain in its early stages and thus may not be noticed. However, gingivitis that is left untreated may progress to periodontitis, a more severe gum disease that can result in tooth loss.
Image provided by Jonathan A. Ship, DMD.
Gingivitis is divided into two categories:
Gingivitis due to plaque
Gingivitis not due to plaque
Gingivitis Due to Plaque
Almost all gingivitis is due to dental plaque, which is a filmlike substance made up primarily of bacteria, saliva, food debris, and dead cells that is continually being deposited on teeth. Tartar is hardened plaque. By far, the most common cause is
Inadequate brushing and flossing
Without adequate brushing, plaque remains along the gumline and builds up between the gums and the teeth (gingivitis does not occur in places where teeth are missing). Plaque also accumulates in faulty fillings and around the teeth next to poorly cleaned partial dentures, bridges, and orthodontic appliances. When plaque stays on the teeth for more than 72 hours, it can harden into tartar (calculus), which cannot be completely removed by brushing and flossing.
Plaque irritates the gums and creates pockets between the teeth and gums. Bacteria living in these pockets may cause gingivitis as well as cavities in the roots of the teeth. The gums appear red and swollen and become movable instead of being firm and tight against the teeth. The gums may bleed easily, especially while brushing or eating. People usually do not have pain.
Gingivitis due to plaque can be prevented with good oral hygiene—the daily use of a toothbrush and dental floss. Some mouthwashes also help control plaque. After tartar forms, it can be removed only by a dentist or dental hygienist. People typically need professional cleanings (called scaling and prophylaxis) every 6 to 12 months. However, people with poor oral hygiene, medical conditions that can lead to gingivitis, or a tendency to develop plaque more quickly than usual may need professional cleanings more often. Because of their excellent blood supply, gums quickly become healthy again after tartar and plaque are removed, as long as people brush and floss carefully.
In addition to poor oral hygiene, gingivitis due to plaque may also be started or worsened by
Drugs
Hormone changes
Leukemia and leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
Gingivitis due to drugs
Medical conditions that might cause or worsen gingivitis should be treated or controlled. If people must take a drug that causes gum tissue overgrowth, the excess gum tissue may need to be removed surgically. However, meticulous oral hygiene at home and frequent cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist may slow the rate of tissue growth and eliminate the need for surgery.
Gingivitis due to vitamin deficiency
Vitamin deficiencies, in rare cases, can cause gingivitis. Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) can lead to inflamed, bleeding gums (see Periodontitis). Red or purple dots and bruises may appear in the mouth.
Niacin deficiency (pellagra) also causes inflamed, bleeding gums and a predisposition to certain mouth infections, such as thrush, or to inflammation of the tongue (glossitis). Additionally, the lips are red and cracked, the tongue is smooth and bright red, and the tongue and lining of the mouth may have sores.
These deficiencies are rare in the United States.
Vitamin C and niacin
Gingivitis due to hormone changes
Pregnancy can worsen mild gingivitis, primarily because of hormonal changes. Some pregnant women may unknowingly contribute to the problem by neglecting oral hygiene because they feel nauseated in the morning (morning sickness) and fatigued. Also during pregnancy, a minor irritation, often the buildup of tartar or a restored tooth with a rough edge, may cause a soft, reddish, lumplike overgrowth of gum tissue, called a pregnancy tumor (pyogenic granuloma). The bloated tissue bleeds easily if injured and may interfere with eating.
If pregnant women are neglecting oral hygiene because of morning sickness and/or fatigue, dentists can suggest ways to keep the teeth and gums clean without making the nausea worse. Gentle brushing without toothpaste, or even salt water rinses after brushing, can help. A bothersome pregnancy tumor can be surgically removed. However, such tumors tend to recur until, and even after, the pregnancy ends.
Menopause can cause desquamative gingivitis, a poorly understood, painful condition that occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women. In this condition, the outer layers of the gums bleed easily and separate from the underlying tissue (desquamate), exposing nerve endings. The outer layers of the gum tissues can be rubbed away with a cotton swab or blown off with a dentist’s air syringe.
If desquamative gingivitis develops during menopause, hormone replacement therapy may help. Otherwise, dentists may prescribe a corticosteroid rinse or a corticosteroid paste that is applied directly to the inflamed areas.
Gingivitis due to leukemia
Leukemia can cause gingivitis. In fact, gingivitis is the first sign of disease in about 25% of children with leukemia. An infiltration of leukemia cells into the gums causes the gingivitis, and a reduced ability to fight infections worsens it. The gums become swollen, painful, and red and bleed easily. Often, the bleeding continues for several minutes or more because blood does not clot normally in people with leukemia. Less commonly, cancer can form in the gum tissue.
Gingivitis Not Due to Plaque
Gingivitis that is not caused by plaque occurs in a small percentage of people. Causes include infections, allergies, other medical disorders, and injuries.
Gingivitis due to infections
Viral infections can cause gingivitis. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis is a painful viral infection of the gums and other parts of the mouth caused by the herpes virus. The infection turns the gums bright red and causes many small white or yellow sores to form inside the mouth.
Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis usually gets better in 2 weeks without treatment. Intensive cleaning does not help, so a person should brush gently while the infection is still painful. Dentists may recommend an anesthetic mouth rinse to relieve discomfort while eating and drinking.
Fungal infections can cause gingivitis as well. Fungi commonly grow in the mouth in very small amounts. Use of antibiotics or a change in overall health can increase the number of fungi in the mouth. Thrush (candidiasis) is a fungal infection in which the overgrowth of fungi, particularly Candida albicans, forms a white or red patch that irritates the gums. Patches can also coat the tongue and corners of the mouth and leave a bleeding surface if wiped away.
Gingivitis due to an impacted tooth (pericoronitis)
Gingivitis can develop in the gums surrounding the crown of an impacted tooth (a tooth that has not fully emerged). In this condition, called pericoronitis, the gum swells over the tooth that has not fully emerged. The flap of gum over the partially emerged tooth can trap fluids, bits of food, and bacteria.
Pericoronitis most commonly occurs around wisdom teeth (3rd molars), particularly the lower wisdom teeth. If the upper wisdom tooth emerges before the lower one, it may bite on this flap, increasing the irritation. Infections can develop and spread to the throat or cheek. The flap disappears once the tooth has fully emerged.
More Information
The following are some English-language resources that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
Mouth Healthy: This general resource provides information on oral health, including nutrition and guidance on selecting products that carry the American Dental Association's seal of approval. There is also advice on finding a dentist and how and when to see one.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: This government site covers a wide variety of topics related to oral and dental health (in English and Spanish), including definitions of common terms and the latest information on clinical trials related to oral and dental diseases.
