Imagine washing your hands and suddenly the water in the sink turns red. You wouldn’t ignore that. Yet when brushing their teeth, many people do exactly that: “Oh, it’s just a little bleeding.”
From a medical perspective, this is a misconception. Healthy tissue does not bleed when touched. Bleeding gums are not harmless – they are the key symptom of gingivitis (gum inflammation) and a warning sign of a much more serious condition that can ultimately cost you your teeth.
Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis: The crucial difference
Many patients use these terms interchangeably. In reality, understanding the difference is essential for preserving your teeth.
- Gingivitis: The inflammation is limited to the soft tissue (the gums). The bone is still intact. The good news: Gingivitis is 100% reversible. If treated at this stage, the inflammation can completely subside (restitutio ad integrum).
- Periodontitis: If gingivitis is ignored, bacteria migrate deeper. The immune system begins to attack the jawbone. Deep pockets form and bone is lost. This damage is irreversible. Once bone is gone, it cannot be fully restored.
Our goal is therefore clear: to intervene at the gingivitis stage and prevent progression to periodontitis.
The enemy in the niche: how inflammation develops
The primary cause is almost always dental biofilm. Billions of bacteria accumulate along the gum margin (the sulcus). If not removed daily by mechanical cleaning, they release toxins that irritate the tissue. The body responds with inflammation as a defense mechanism. Increased blood flow causes swelling – and the gums bleed more easily.
Additional risk-enhancing factors include:
- Mechanical irritants: Overhanging fillings or crown margins act as plaque traps (iatrogenic factors).
- Hormonal changes: During puberty or pregnancy, gums may react excessively to bacterial plaque (“pregnancy gingivitis”).
- Systemic diseases: Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus significantly promotes inflammation.
- Medication: Certain antihypertensives or immunosuppressants can cause gum overgrowth.
Symptoms: The “Silent Killer”
Early gingivitis is usually painless. Pain often appears only when the disease is already advanced. Watch for these visual warning signs:
- Color: Healthy gums are pale pink; inflamed gums appear dark red to purplish.
- Shape: Healthy gums fit tightly and sharply around the tooth; inflamed gums look swollen, rounded, and soft.
- Bleeding: Blood when brushing or biting into an apple is a clear warning sign.
Important for smokers: Nicotine constricts blood vessels. Smokers may have severe inflammation without bleeding. This masks symptoms and often delays diagnosis. Smokers should therefore attend particularly regular dental check-ups.
Treatment: What we can do – and what you must do
Treatment of gingivitis is causal: the biofilm must be removed.
- Professional cleaning: We remove hard (tartar) and soft deposits, even in areas you cannot reach. Rough filling margins are smoothed to reduce plaque retention.
- Instruction: We show you how to clean the critical 30% of tooth surfaces that a toothbrush cannot reach (interdental care).
- Antiseptics: Short-term use of chlorhexidine rinses may support healing – but they never replace mechanical cleaning.
Conclusion: Bleeding gums are your body’s red traffic light. Do not ignore it and keep driving. Schedule an appointment while the damage is still reversible. A healthy foundation is the basis for strong, long-lasting teeth.