Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and is most commonly a result of poor dental hygiene. Gingivitis is a very common condition and varies widely in severity. It is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when teeth are brushed or flossed. Gingivitis is not the same thing as periodontitis. Gingivitis always precedes and acts as a warning sign for the more serious condition of periodontitis.

Gingivitis starts when food debris mixes with saliva and bacteria which, in turn, forms dental plaque that sticks to the surfaces of teeth. If dental plaque isn’t removed by brushing with toothpaste and flossing, it can become mineralized and form tartar, or calculus. Tartar is very hard, and only a professional dental cleaning can remove it.

Both dental plaque and tartar are filled with harmful bacteria, and if they aren’t removed from teeth, they will begin to irritate the gums and cause gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis will often extend from the gums to the bone and lead to periodontitis.

As we age, it’s increasingly common to see a drop or two of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing. It’s so common that many of us convince ourselves it’s not a big deal. But bleeding gums -even during a dentist cleaning-are not normal and not healthy. They’re a sign-possibly along with other often-missed symptoms like puffy, red, irritated gums-of gingivitis (early gum disease). 90% of the world population suffers from chronic gum disease, gum problems, yet only a very small fraction realizes it. But there is some good news: early-stage gum disease is reversible, through improved daily mouth care and more frequent visits to the dentist for plaque and tartar removal. But left ignored, bleeding gums can progress to serious gum infection (periodontitis) that attacks gums, erodes the jawbone and is the number-one reason for teeth fall out. If you’ve spotted droplets, don’t wait another day to start improving your brush, floss and rinse routine.

Your general dentist should be able to inform you if there are signs of Gum Disease. The symptoms associated with Gum Disease are typically not easily noticed. In some cases, you may experience sore gums, bleeding gums or tooth pain. Regular visits to your dentist will help diagnose and treat gum disease.

Seven out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some time in their lives. It is the most common dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a real problem. That’s why it is so important to prevent gum disease before it becomes serious.

Having excellent oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly can help prevent gum disease. Quit smoking if you currently smoke. Let your dentist know what medications you are on because some drugs can cause gum inflammation. Finally, follow your dentist’s recommendations when it comes to keeping your gums and teeth healthy.

If you have Gum Disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That’s why in the early stages of Gum Disease, the best treatment is:

Cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist to remove built-up tartar, brushing twice a day to remove plaque and flossing once a day to remove plaque.

When Gum Disease is more serious, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist called a periodontist. A periodontist has a least three years of extra university training in treating Gum Disease, and in restoring (or regenerating) bone and gum tissue that have been lost because of Gum Disease.

A periodontist also treats serious forms of Gum Disease that do not get better with normal dental care. When serious Gum Disease is found, brushing and flossing become even more important.