Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment - BMJ Best Practice
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Gingivitis is caused by bacterial plaque (dental biofilm) that accumulates daily on the teeth.
Results in redness, slight swelling, or “puffiness” of the gums and bleeding on tooth brushing.
Treatment involves thorough professional tooth cleaning and effective daily removal of dental plaque by tooth brushing and cleaning between the teeth.
Necrotizing gingivitis is a more serious condition that is mainly found in developing countries and is associated with people with severe malnutrition or people living with HIV with low CD4 counts.
Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences
Associate Professor of Periodontology and Dental Public Health
Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences
Dr Giuseppina Campisi and Dr Giuseppe Pizzo would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Bruce L. Pihlstrom and Dr Alice E. Curran, previous contributors to this topic.
BLP and AEC declare that they have no competing interests.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Academic Head, Oral Medicine and Special Needs Dentistry Unit
Honorary Consultant in Oral Medicine, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust