Gingivitis Symptomsred swollen gums or not obvious at all?Gingivitis symptoms are easy to miss. It starts with just a little puffiness and occurs so gradually that you probably don't even notice. Catching gingivitis early makes it so much easier to cure. Some tell-tale signs of gingivitis...
If you don't floss very often or have poor brushing technique
you are even more likely to miss these little red flags.
Rough hygienist or gingivitis?You could have a rough hygienist or you could have gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease.Here's how to tell...do you think every hygienist is too rough? Is the way your hygienist flosses your teeth very different from the way you floss your teeth? You do floss your teeth right? OK, good:) Do certain gum areas feel fine and some hurt and bleed like crazy when you get your teeth cleaned? If they all hurt every time, try another hygienist! But, if only some areas hurt and bleed, those places have gingivitis or periodontal disease. Don't blame your hygienist:) They bleed when she cleans them because you have been missing them. They will probably be a little sore after your appointment, but don't ignore them.
Swollen and sore from flossing?If your gums are swollen or sore after you floss, hang in there for a week. They will get better. Still sore? check your flossing technique and be sure to use the right floss for you. It is possible to cut your gums with dental floss. Healthy gums should not get swollen or sore from flossing.
Bleeding?Does your toothpaste turn pink in your mouth? Bleeding while brushing is likely if you have gingivitis... BUT, if you are not brushing properly you can still have gingivitis and your gums may not bleed.Why? Because you are avoiding your sore gums when you brush. Is this a good thing?...NO! Ignoring gingivitis doesn't make it go away... damage is still occuring and you still have chronic inflammation in your body. Check your technique and adjust your brushing style. Even if it hurts and makes your gums bleed a little at first. Gentle but thorough cleaning is the best cure for gingivitis.
If you have gingivitis, proper brushing is the best thing you can do to eliminate gingivitis symptoms. Your teeth should feel nice and smooth to your tongue, especially near your gum line. Whether you use an electric toothbrush or manual toothbrush. The key is to start brushing properly...your gums will bleed the first few times because they are inflamed from all the plaque that has been missed for so long. They should bleed less and less and not at all after a week of proper brushing and flossing. Try this step by step guide: how to treat gingivitis. If they don't stop bleeding, re-check your technique...there's a fine line between good brushing and brushing too hard. Also, look at other factors that could cause gingivitis symptoms. Pink and firm or puffy and red?
Pink and firm is so subjective but important. The easiest way to tell, is to compare. Look at your gums compared to this picture. They don't need to be exactly the color of the girl in the picture but they should be firm, even, and close to your teeth like hers.
Do some areas in your mouth look pinker and firmer than others? Most people who have gingivitis have localized (only in a few areas) gingivitis. Many have gingivitis around their lower front teeth and on the tongue side of their molars.
Good texture or smooth and shiny?Gum texture is also difficult to tell. Stippled is the texture of your gums when they are healthy. I know it doesn't sound good...but it is:) The girl in this picture has stippling. You have to look close to see it...stippling is like the texture of an orange peel (only way smaller).
The biggest and most important gingivitis symptom or symptom of periodontal disease is bleeding. If you can stop the bleeding (not just avoid or ignore it) you have done a lot to improve your dental health and prevent chronic diseases.
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