Causes - Symptoms

/Home/Health Conditions/Gingivitis - Alternative Remedies/Gingivitis - Symptoms and Causes

Causes
Gingivitis almost always begins with plaque. This invisible, sticky film is composed mainly of bacteria. Plaque forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth. Brushing your teeth removes plaque. But plaque re-forms quickly, usually within 24 hours.

Plaque that stays on your teeth longer than two or three days can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus). Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and acts as a reservoir for bacteria. What's more, you usually can't get rid of tartar by brushing and flossing — you need a professional dental cleaning to remove it.

The longer that plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily.


Signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:

Swollen gums
Soft gums
Occasionally, tender gums
Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
Bad breath
A change in the color of your gums from a healthy pink to dusky red
Because gingivitis is seldom painful, you can have gingivitis without even knowing it. You may first realize something's wrong when you notice that the bristles of your toothbrush are pink — a sign that your gums are bleeding with just slight pressure.