The Relationship between Swollen Gums and Gingivitis

If you are an avid television commercial watcher, you know gingivitis has become a buzz word. It’s used very often and never in a positive context. Most oral hygiene products are currently advertised on television (toothpastes or mouthwashes) promise to protect against gingivitis. They also often promise protection against tartar buildup, bad breath and the danger of losing teeth. There is some truth to what the commercials are saying. However, there is frequently a bit of an overly optimistic picture painted during the 30 second spots. Some conditions, such as swollen or bleeding gums, are completely discounted.

Gingivitis is a dental problem accompanied by bleeding gums. Sometimes the gums will only bleed when touched (during brushing or flossing) while at other times they may suddenly bleed without being stimulated. The color of the gums may no longer be a healthy pink and look red. Red gums can actually change into a darker purplish color right around the gum line. Occasionally a dental patient is surprised at the sudden appearance of this malady.

The fact this dental illness was a long time coming may completely escape the mind of the sufferer at the time. After all, gingivitis doesn’t suddenly start with bleeding gums that add pain and discomfort to the overall oral hygiene of the sufferer. Instead, the sign posts pointing toward a possible oral health crisis are well in the past when the patient may have first noticed a swelling of the gums. These swollen gums may have been confined to just the gum tissue between the teeth. Or, they may have encompassed all of the gums on both the upper and lower jaw.

The fact is, this condition was likely ignored or not recognized as a warning sign that permitted the gingivitis to proceed. Eventually the swollen gums became so inflamed they now bleed at the slightest touch. The mistake some patients make at this point is to attempt to reverse the bacterial buildup that caused the problem in the first place. They may try to brush more, floss more often or use mouthwash to rinse the bacteria away. Since the gums are now very painful it can be difficult. Instead of making their oral hygiene count, sufferers may actually back off a bit from brushing and flossing due to pain.

Some of the bacterial buildup cannot be removed by even the most diligent and vigorous brushing. Instead it needs to be broken up and scraped off the teeth with the help of dental instruments. Dentists urge sufferers to not let gingivitis progress. They urge them to seek out help from a dentist in their area, even if their last dentist visit is less than six month in the past. Most importantly, dental professionals encourage all patients to exercise the ABCs of preventing swollen gums.