Gingivitis Symptoms: What Does Gum Disease Look Like?

Healthy gums are pink and firm. If you experience red, puffy, or swollen gums when brushing your teeth, chances are that you have gingivitis. These are all signs that proper oral care is needed.

Common as it may seem to be, it’s never natural to see bleeding gums when brushing or flossing. You may think that you’re just brushing too hard, but frequent gum bleeding is a likely sign that you have gingivitis. As plaque and tartar builds up on your teeth, the gingiva becomes more irritated, causing your gums to become swollen, red, inflamed. These conditions cause gums to bleed easily, especially while brushing or flossing. According to the ADA, bleeding gums caused by gingivitis are completely reversible. Brushing and flossing twice daily while using an antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE® Clinical Solutions Gum Health are important steps to help stop bleeding gums and reverse gingivitis.

There is some suggestion that bad breath or halitosis can also be an indicator of early-stage gum disease. Usually caused by plaque buildup on the tongue, bad breath may be a sign that plaque and bacteria aren’t being properly removed.

If early signs of gum disease aren’t addressed, gingivitis may get worse and progress to periodontitis. Tooth pain when chewing, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, receding gums, and loose teeth are all signs of more advanced gum disease like moderate or advanced periodontitis.