Gingivitis

Symptoms:

• mouth sores
• swollen gums
• the gums appear bright red or red-purple
• the gums appear shiny
• the gums bleed easily, blood appears on toothbrush even with gentle brushing of the teeth
• the gums are tender when touched, but otherwise painless

Signs and tests:

Consult the dentist if signs of gingivitis are present. Examination of the mouth and teeth shows soft, swollen, red-purple gingiva. Deposits of plaque and calculus may be visible at the base of the teeth. The gums are usually painless or mildly tender.

No further testing is usually necessary, although dental X-rays may be performed to determine whether periodontitis (spread of inflammation to the supporting structures of the teeth) has developed.