What Does Gingivitis/Gum Disease Look Like? (20 Pictures)

Gingivitis is uncomfortable; your gums bleed, your breath smells, and your teeth hurt.

But did you know that 94% of Americans have gingivitis? That’s an alarming statistic!

However, what’s more alarming is that gingivitis can progress to gum disease if left untreated. What does gingivitis look like?

If you believe you have gingivitis or gum disease check out the pictures and schedule an appointment with your dentist ASAP.

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What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by harmful bacteria.

If your dentist or hygienist does not remove harmful bacteria, the bacteria will congregate and multiply into advanced gum disease (periodontal disease).

The bacteria that infects the gums lead to swollen, red and puffy gums. Gingivitis is a common gum issue.

However, oral hygiene improvements can help prevent this ailment. According to the American Dental Association, gingivitis and periodontitis cause tooth loss in adults.

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What Causes Gingivitis?

1. Poor Oral Hygiene: Neglecting regular brushing and flossing can lead to dental plaque, causing gum inflammation. Routine dental cleanings help remove plaque and prevent severe gum diseases like periodontal disease.
2. Poor Nutrition: Harmful oral bacteria thrive on sugars and carbs, leading to their growth. Proper oral care, including brushing, flossing, and cleanings, prevents harmful bacteria caused by sugary foods.
3. Dental Plaque: Plaque forms when food debris isn’t removed, typically along tooth and gum margins. Regular brushing and nightly flossing limit plaque and prevent gum inflammation due to the bacteria it contains.
4. Tartar (Calculus): If plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar under the gumline, shielding bacteria and causing gum irritation. Professional dental cleaning is needed to eliminate tartar, unlike plaque that can be managed with regular care.

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What Are the Signs & Symptoms?

It’s possible to have gingivitis without any symptoms.

However, there may be no discomfort or noticeable symptoms in mild cases of gingivitis. Often, it remains undetected for quite some time. The symptoms of gingivitis are somewhat non-specific.

The pink-salmon coloring and stippling in the gum tissue will often disappear. Also, the gums may appear shiny as the gum tissue becomes inflamed and stretched over the tissue surface.

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When the gums are swollen, the lining becomes ulcerated, and the gums are prone to bleed even with gentle brushing and flossing.

In addition, if the gums are inflamed, they may start pulling away from the neck of the tooth.

This causes gaps between the teeth and the gums, known as gum pockets (or periodontal pockets).

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Similarly, many people aren’t aware that they have gum disease (periodontal disease). Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, can cause teeth to shift position, wobble or hurt when you chew. In addition, periodontal disease will lead to irreversible bone loss.

Periodontal disease is treated with scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning. If gum disease is not controlled, your dentist will refer you to a gum specialist known as a periodontist.

Gum Disease Classifications

• Gingivitis: Neglecting regular brushing and flossing leads to dental plaque formation, causing gum inflammation and gingivitis. Gingivitis features swollen, red, and puffy gums without bone loss. It’s reversible but progresses to gum disease (periodontitis) if untreated.
• Early Periodontitis: Harmful bacteria localized deep under the gums cause further inflammation and infection. These bacteria move downward along the tooth root, initiating bone loss.
• Moderate Periodontitis: Continued bone loss and gum inflammation occur. Tooth mobility begins, along with bone loss between tooth roots.
• Advanced Periodontitis: Tooth mobility and pus formation characterize this stage. Gum disease is irreversible, compromising tooth stability once bone loss occurs. Immediate professional care is necessary to prevent generalized tooth loss.
• Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG/NUG): This is a severe condition beyond advanced periodontitis. More damaging bacteria cause sudden inflammation, pain, and “punched-out” crater-like lesions on the gums. It commonly occurs in young adults.

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Gum Disease Pictures (20 Total)

Let’s take a closer look at what gingivitis and gum disease looks like in the mouth. We’ll order them from least to most severe so you can see a distinct transition from health to harm.

Take note of the gum colors, inflammation, plaque and tartar present. Although we have great pictures available, an accurate diagnosis is incomplete without gum measurements, dental x-rays and medical/dental information.

When to See the Dentist

According to the CDC, researchers have uncovered potential links between gum disease and other severe health conditions.

The harmful bacteria in the mouth that enters the bloodstream are usually harmless to individuals with healthy immune systems. But under certain circumstances, these microorganisms are associated with health problems such as stroke and heart disease.

Call your dentist if you or someone you know has signs and symptoms of gingivitis. Your dentist may examine you at your next checkup or make a special appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My Experience & Expertise

The prevalence of gingivitis is exceptionally high.

If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis, don’t panic. Instead, contact your dentist ASAP for professional care and treatment.

Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible and managed with improved oral care, routine cleanings and proper nutrition.

Don’t delay; contact your dentist today!

Need a second opinion? We can help! Learn more. Knowledge is power when cultivating healthy dental habits. The more informed you are, the better positioned you’ll be to prevent avoidable and potentially costly dental procedures for you and your family. Watch for future blog posts, where we’ll continue sharing important information, product reviews and practical advice!