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Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease — an inflammation of the gum tissues surrounding the teeth. Bleeding and swollen gums are signs of gingivitis. In fact, what may seem like a little “problem area” in your gums can actually be the early stages of gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which can be a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Gingivitis can sometimes be painless and, therefore, people may be unaware they have it.

Causes of Gingivitis

One of the primary factors contributing to gingivitis is plaque, a sticky colorless deposit of bacteria that regularly forms on teeth. These bacteria build up and can produce byproducts that damage the gums.

While gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of gum disease, it may lead to more serious, destructive forms if left untreated.

Help Prevent Gingivitis

Helping prevent gingivitis requires removing plaque buildup, and that starts with good brushing habits. But it’s also essential to have the right products on your side. That’s why we recommend the following dental hygiene routine:

1. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled or power toothbrush such as the Oral-B® Vitality™ Precision Clean. It reduces up to two times more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush.


1. Be sure to use an anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque toothpaste containing fluoride to strengthen teeth. Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste is a good option because it contains therapeutic stannous fluoride, a powerful anti-microbial agent that kills harmful bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis.


2. Rinse thoroughly after brushing with an anti-bacterial rinse like Crest Pro-Health Rinse. It contains a clinically proven anti-microbial agent, cetylpyridinium chloride, which is attracted to bacteria in your mouth, making it effective at fighting plaque, gingivitis and bad breath.


3. Floss at least once a day with a product like Glide® to remove food particles and plaque between teeth. Glide is the #1 dentist-recommended dental floss brand, and it gently stimulates gums and removes plaque to help prevent gingivitis.


4. Removing plaque is an important step to help prevent gingivitis. Try using the Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean toothbrush along with Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste and Crest Pro-Health Rinse for up to 7x better cleaning.*


5. Visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings.

*On teeth with regular use vs. a regular manual brush and regular anti-cavity toothpaste.

Gingivitis Symptoms

If you are experiencing the following symptoms, visit your dental office as soon as possible to determine if you have gingivitis.

• Mild inflammation of the gums
• Red or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily