Gingivitis and Bleeding Gums: Early Gum Disease Explained

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. It starts when plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day, is left along the gumline. The gums react to the bacteria by swelling, and the small blood vessels in them become fragile.

If plaque stays in place, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus. Tartar can't be brushed off and gives more plaque a rough place to grip. Gingivitis is very common and often doesn't hurt, which is why many people don't realize they have it.

Signs of gingivitis

• Gums that bleed when you brush, floss or bite into something firm
• Pink on your toothbrush or in the sink after you spit
• Gum edges that look red, shiny or puffy instead of pale pink and firm
• Tender gums
• Bad breath or a bad taste that keeps coming back

Why gums bleed when brushing

Healthy gums don't usually bleed with normal brushing. When gums bleed when brushing, the most likely reason is inflammation from plaque. The bleeding is a sign the gum is irritated, not that you should stop cleaning there.

Many people back off when they see blood, which lets more plaque build up and makes the bleeding worse. Instead, keep brushing gently along the gumline and clean between your teeth every day. In most cases of gingivitis, bleeding drops noticeably within one to two weeks.

Gingivitis vs periodontitis: the stages of gum disease

Gum disease is a range rather than a single condition. Gingivitis sits at the mild end. The gums are inflamed, but the bone and fibres holding the teeth are still intact, so the damage can be fully reversed.

Periodontitis is the more advanced stage. The infection spreads below the gumline and starts to break down the bone and tissue that support the teeth. Pockets form between gum and tooth, gums may pull back, and teeth can loosen. Bone lost to periodontitis usually does not come back, so treatment aims to stop it from getting worse. Not everyone with gingivitis goes on to periodontitis, but treating gingivitis early is the surest way to avoid it.

What raises your risk

• Skipping flossing or brushing, or missing the gumline when you brush
• Smoking and vaping, which also hide bleeding by narrowing blood vessels, so gum disease can be worse than it looks
• Diabetes, especially when blood sugar is hard to control
• Pregnancy and other hormone changes
• Some medicines, including certain seizure, blood pressure and immune-suppressing drugs, which can cause gum overgrowth or dry mouth
• Crowded teeth, braces or bridges that make cleaning harder
• A family history of gum disease

How to reverse gingivitis

Gingivitis responds well to two things working together. At home, brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles toward the gumline. Clean between every tooth once a day with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. If you aren't sure you're doing it right, ask at your next visit for a quick demonstration.

At the clinic, a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist removes tartar above and just below the gumline that you can't reach. Your dentist may suggest an antibacterial rinse for a short time. If the exam shows deeper pockets, a deeper cleaning or other gum care may be recommended.

When bleeding gums need more than a cleaning

Occasionally, bleeding gums are linked to something beyond plaque. Tell your dentist if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding condition. See your doctor promptly if bleeding gums come with easy bruising, nosebleeds, unusual tiredness, fever, or bleeding that is hard to stop. Gums that are very painful, with grey ulcers between the teeth and a foul smell, need a dentist quickly.

If you're in Aurora or nearby and your gums bleed when you brush, Aurora Gateway Dental Care can check them and book a cleaning with our hygienists. We direct bill to all insurance plans and accept CDCP and IFHP. Call 289-475-5497.

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