Gingivitis: signs, causes and when to see a dentist

Bleeding when you brush is easy to shrug off. It is also one of the first signs the gums are inflamed. This guide explains what gingivitis is, what it looks like, what causes it and how dental teams deal with it, using information from the NHS and the Oral Health Foundation, checked on 6 October 2026.

It gives general information only. It does not diagnose anything, and it has not yet been reviewed by a dental professional.

What gingivitis is

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, according to the Oral Health Foundation. The NHS describes gum disease as a condition where the gums become red, swollen and sore, and bleed.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. It sits at the start of the gum disease spectrum, before the bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place are affected. If you want a wider view of the topic, see our page on gum disease care.

Signs of gingivitis

The NHS lists these signs of gum disease:

• gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, floss or eat hard foods
• gums that become swollen, red and sore
• bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth

The Oral Health Foundation lists the same early warning signs for gingivitis: red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or eating, bad breath and a bad taste. Its advice is plain: if your gums bleed, do not ignore it, and speak to your dental team early.

The NHS also lists gum shrinkage, loose or falling teeth and a dental abscess as signs of gum disease in general. Those are not typical of the earliest stage, so treat them as a reason to be seen promptly.

What causes gingivitis

Plaque causes gingivitis. The NHS explains that gum disease results from a build-up of plaque on the teeth, and that plaque accumulates when teeth and the spaces between them are not cleaned regularly. The Oral Health Foundation describes plaque as a sticky layer of bacteria that builds up on the teeth and along the gumline.

Plaque also drives tooth decay, which is a separate problem with a similar root cause. Our guide to how tooth decay develops covers that side.

The sources opened for this guide do not give a list of other risk factors with figures, so none are quoted here. Your dentist can explain which factors apply to you.

How gingivitis is treated

For the early stages, the NHS says treatment involves dental advice on cleaning, advice on stopping smoking and professional cleaning by the dental team. The Oral Health Foundation recommends brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth once a day with interdental brushes or floss.

A professional clean is the kind of work a dental hygienist does. If you want to know what that appointment involves at a practice, look at a dental hygienist appointment and ask the practice what is included.

In Northern Ireland, whether a hygienist visit falls under Health Service or private care depends on the practice and the treatment. nidirect says you should contact practices in your area directly about registering for Health Service care, and the practice can explain what applies.

Looking after your gums at home

Daily cleaning is the part you control. The Oral Health Foundation recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth once a day, using interdental brushes or floss. The NHS gives the same basic advice: clean your teeth and the spaces between them regularly, because plaque left in place is what builds up and irritates the gums.

If your gums bleed when you start cleaning between your teeth, the Oral Health Foundation’s message is not to ignore it and to speak to your dental team early. They can show you which brushes or floss suit the gaps between your teeth and how to use them.

Gum care is also a good reason to keep regular dental visits. The NHS lists professional hygiene cleaning among the early-stage treatments, and a check-up gives the team the chance to spot changes before you notice them.

Gingivitis vs periodontitis

Periodontitis is the later, more serious stage. The Oral Health Foundation says that if gingivitis is not treated it can progress to periodontal disease, which damages the bone and tissues that hold the teeth in place. It says this stage cannot be reversed, but it can be controlled.

The difference matters for one reason. Gingivitis can be reversed. Periodontitis can only be controlled. Acting on early signs keeps open the chance of staying at the reversible stage, which is why the Oral Health Foundation urges people to speak to their dental team early. Only a dental examination can say which stage you have.

For severe gum disease, the NHS says treatment may include deep cleaning under the gums, antibiotics, tooth extraction or gum surgery. Those decisions belong to your dentist.

When to book a hygienist or dentist in Belfast

The NHS separates non-urgent from urgent reasons to see a dentist. It lists bleeding gums when you brush, painful or swollen gums and bad breath as non-urgent reasons to book an appointment.

It lists very sore, swollen gums, loose or falling teeth, mouth ulcers and lumps in the mouth or lip as reasons to seek urgent dental advice.

If you are registered with a dentist in Northern Ireland, nidirect says to contact your own dentist first, because some surgeries offer emergency appointments. If you are not registered, nidirect points to the dental access scheme on weekdays, and to the Emergency Dental Clinics at weekends and bank holidays, which you should contact directly. Check nidirect for the current details before you call. Our page on emergency dental care is a starting point for practices that list urgent appointments.

For a routine check, a general dental check-up is the usual starting point.

Next step

If your gums bleed or look swollen, book an appointment rather than waiting. You can look at dentists in Belfast and find a practice that lists hygiene or gum care, then call to confirm what they offer and what it costs.