Gingivitis: symptoms, causes and treatment of gum disease

There are lots of bacteria in your mouth, which may be surprising to you, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, when there is a lack of good oral hygiene, it can become Gingivitis.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

The signs and symptoms of gingivitis can be hard to distinguish from other pathologies. This is particularly true as dental health can be affected by other health conditions. As some of these symptoms can be related to other diseases, it's important to see your dentist quickly.

Signs of gingivitis

The most common symptoms of gingivitis are pain, inflammation of the gums and bleeding. There can be some other signs of gingivitis as well, like bumps on the gums or sometimes drainage in severe cases. In the early stages, you might notice:

• the buildup of dental plaque
• bad breath
• sticky film on the surface of your teeth
• inflamed gums
• sore gums
• swollen gums

Left untreated, the symptoms of Gingivitis become more severe, and can have serious consequences such as the appearance of cavities, gum and bone deterioration.

In the case of gingivitis or inflammation of the gums, if not treated in time, more serious problems and symptoms such as receding gums and periodontitis can arise. It's critical that you address this issue if you think you have it, so let's start with defining what it is.

What is Gingivitis?

It is a type of periodontal disease characterised by inflamed or swollen gums. To recognise this disease, you must know what gingivitis looks like. Plaque between teeth can build up from poor hygiene and sugary foods. Over time, it can present symptoms like swelling, drainage, rash, change in the gum line and shape, as well as discomfort.

What causes Gingivitis?

We explore the main causes of gingivitis and treatment options below.

Gingivitis from poor oral hygiene

Gingivitis resulting from poor oral hygiene starts when the teeth aren’t properly brushed, as plaque adheres along the gum line. If you don't floss daily, debris and plaque can accumulate between the gums and the teeth.

Dental floss and interdental brushes help prevent irritation in the gums by cleaning the pockets between them and the teeth. The bacteria found within these pockets of plaque can cause swollen gums and gingivitis as well as cavities in the roots of the teeth.

Gingivitis during pregnancy

Inflammation of the gums and oral gingivitis during pregnancy is caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone, which can contribute to increased blood flow in the gum tissues, making them more sensitive, more swollen and prone to inflammation when you brush and floss your teeth. Due to the hormonal changes that occur from the second month of pregnancy, the gums become more sensitive, increasing the risk of gingivitis.

Gingivitis with braces

The difficulty of cleaning around braces means there's often an increase in oral hygiene deterioration with braces. Failure to maintain braces creates an ideal environment for gum disease and periodontitis to occur. To prevent plaque build up it's important to schedule regular professional cleaning with your dentist or dental hygienist throughout brace or clear aligner treatment.

What does gingivitis look like?

Gingivitis looks like the appearance of reddened gums that are darker than normal. In addition, they often appear swollen, puffy and can be painful to touch.

How to treat Gingivitis

The treatment for gingivitis depends on how far the gum disease has progressed. In less severe cases, the dentist may opt for root scaling to remove tartar from between the teeth and gums. Knowing how to cure gingivitis in more severe cases may involve scaling and root planing. This process involves the removal of necrotic tissue, especially in more advanced cases where periodontitis is already present.

How to treat swollen gums at home

For the temporary relief and treatment of swollen gums at home, use a cold compress on your gums, use interdental brushes instead of floss to get rid of food particles, and over-the-counter pain relief.

Gingivitis and orthodontic treatment

There is great difficulty maintaining oral hygiene when using fixed orthodontics such as braces. This often leads to the accumulation of bacterial plaque and the causal outcome of this form of gum disease.

As an alternative to appliances with metal brackets, Impress offers removable transparent aligners, which facilitate easy cleaning. When you can brush and remove plaque or tartar in the most difficult areas, the likelihood of gingivitis decreases.

Can you get braces or other orthodontic devices with gingivitis?

If you already have gingivitis and the case is mild, you might be able to get braces or aligners. It's important to understand the health of your teeth and gums before you begin, which is why we offer free orthodontic consultations.

In the case of severe gingivitis, you might not be able to start or continue treatment so that the gingivitis does not worsen.

Gingivitis and Impress clear orthodontics

Cler aligners are an excellent choice to help you straighten your teeth and avoid conditions such as Gingivitis. You're able to take them out during meals and can easily maintain daily oral hygiene.

Impress aligners have fixed prices, as well as several treatment plans that are adapted to each case.

On your first visit, we’ll take X-rays and perform an oral check-up to see the state of your teeth and gums. We also create a complete scan of your oral cavity.

Call or text us on +44 20 3808 1072 or via WhatsApp, or by filling out our online form to schedule an appointment. Discover your nearest Impress clinic!

Updated: September 2025