Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease (periodontal disease). It develops when plaque, tartar and bacteria build up on your teeth, causing red, swollen, bleeding gums.

You can successfully manage gingivitis, especially with the help of a dentist. But left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis (a more severe type of gum disease involving bone loss in your jaw).

Who gets gingivitis?

Gum disease is more likely to occur in:

• People assigned male at birth (AMAB), though researchers aren’t sure why. It could have to do with hormones or that people AMAB are more likely to get related diseases.
• People living in poverty and those with less than a high school education. These factors are tied to a number of diseases.
• People who smoke, as smoking weakens your body’s ability to fight infection.

How common is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is very common. Almost half of all adults older than 30 have some kind of gum disease.