If your gum is sore or you can see blood when you brush your teeth, you are likely to have gingivitis. A condition that seems harmless is detrimental to your health.
- Symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding from the gums, bad breath, bad taste in your mouth and sore gums.
- Good dental hygiene, regular dental check-ups and tartar removal keep gingivitis at bay.
- Advanced gingivitis should always be treated by a dentist.
Signs of gingivitis include:
- redness, sensitivity and pain in the gums
- bleeding gums, for example when brushing your teeth
- an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- bad breath
The symptoms of gingivitis can be detected so slowly that you don't even notice them at first.
Fortunately, the dentist or dental hygienist can detect the onset of gingivitis, even if it is still asymptomatic. That's one good reason to get your teeth checked regularly!
Gingivitis is the most common oral disorder in Finland. Gingivitis occurs when bacterial plaque and tartar accumulate in the gumline and between the teeth and the gum around the tooth becomes inflamed.
Gingivitis may sound pretty harmless, but, when untreated, gingivitis is a real threat to your health:
- Gingivitis can lead to damage to the tissues that attach the teeth, called periodontitis, which can cause the teeth to start to become loose and eventually fall out.
- Periodontitis increases the risk of a myocardial or cerebral infarction. It causes a low level of inflammation in your body which can put you at risk of serious illness.
- Oral infections also disrupt the balance of many common disease treatments, such as diabetes.
When you notice signs of gingivitis, you can first try to treat it at home:
- Pay more attention to dental care.
- Brush your teeth more often and more carefully.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth too.
Even if you take perfect care of your mouth, gingivitis might not get better.
If the symptoms of gingivitis do not give way within a few days, book an appointment with a dentist or dental hygienist.
There's no need to be shy about coming to the appointment – we treat gingivitis every day.
Let us know if you have dental fear. We take your fears seriously and promise to find the right ways to treat you and your teeth.
Since bacteria do not like the surface of a clean tooth, the most important thing in the treatment of gingivitis is a careful cleaning of the teeth. The good news is that, if treated, a common gingivitis usually gets better in a couple of weeks.
When you come to the dental hygienist or dentist, the solution may be:
- Tartar removal. The dentist or dental hygienist removes the tartar that causes gingivitis.
- Repair of teeth. If necessary, the dentist will repair any cavities and fillings where plaque accumulates despite careful home care.
You will always receive a price estimate from your dental hygienist or dentist, which means no unpleasant surprises. See our price list.
You can pay for the treatment flexibly, for example, by invoice or instalment payment.
The best treatment for gingivitis is its prevention at home. It is simple:
- Brush your teeth. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes. Use an electric toothbrush for the cleanest result.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth too. Use an interdental brush, brush stick or floss once a day.
- Attend the dental check-up appointment. This allows the early detection of inflammations and tartar in the mouth. Your dentist will let you know the frequency of dental check-ups that suits you.
- Visit your dental hygienist. They will clean your teeth, remove the tartar, and help you choose the tools and techniques to treat your mouth.
- Avoid smoking and using snuff.
Prolonged and persistent gingivitis may indicate periodontitis or other oral diseases. If you suffer from gingivitis repeatedly, you require the help and treatment of a dentist.
The specialist interviewed for the article was dentist Anni Mäkinen.
The accumulation of plaque and tartar, which cause gingivitis, is usually caused by insufficient cleaning of the teeth, especially between the teeth.
Typical symptoms of gingivitis include:
- redness, sensitivity and pain in the gums
- bleeding gums
- an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- bad breath
At first, gingivitis may not show any symptoms.
The basis of everything, both in the treatment and prevention of gingivitis, is the careful cleaning of the teeth.
If necessary, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth and remove tartar.
The dentist can also repair any cavities and fillings where plaque accumulates easily.
When you have gingivitis, intensify the cleaning of your teeth. Brush your teeth more often and more carefully. Make a special effort to clean between your teeth. Only use mouthwash if instructed to do so by your dentist.
If you have gingivitis and the careful home care does not bring relief to your situation within a few days, make an appointment with a dentist or dental hygienist.
A lump on the gum may indicate an gum lump caused by a bacterial infection. Always come and show the oral lumps and abscesses to the dentist.
A dentist will assess the condition of your oral and dental health and give you personal recommendations on how often you should have a dental check-up.
Suuhygienisti neuvoo yksilöllisesti oikeat tavat, joilla huolehtia suun terveydestä ja ehkäistä hampaiden reikiintymistä sekä iensairauksia.
