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Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a milder type of gum disease. Gingivitis causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed, and it may cause bad breath.

Because pain is not usually a symptom of gingivitis, many people do not seek treatment. If not treated, gum disease can progress to advanced gum disease (periodontitis), which may lead to loss of teeth.

Gingivitis is caused by poor tooth care. It can be prevented, treated, and reversed by brushing twice a day-in the morning and before bedtime-and flossing once a day.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerSteven K. Patterson, BS, DDS, MPH - Dentistry
Last RevisedAugust 5, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 05, 2011
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