---
title: "What Is Gingivitis? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. The gums become red, swollen and may bleed, but the bone that holds the teeth is not yet damaged."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gingivitis
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. The gums become red, swollen and may bleed, but the bone that holds the teeth is not yet damaged.

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. It is caused by plaque that stays along the gumline. The gums may look red or swollen and may bleed when you brush or floss.

In gingivitis, the inflammation is limited to the gum tissue. ADA terminology describes it as inflammation of gum tissue without loss of connective tissue. That is the difference from [periodontitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontitis), where the supporting tissue and bone are damaged.

Gingivitis often responds when plaque is removed well each day and the teeth are professionally cleaned. If it is ignored, it can progress. Talk with your dentist if your gums bleed. Our office describes gum care on its [periodontal care page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care). See also [dental plaque](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-plaque).

[Town Center Dental can helpPeriodontal Care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care)

## Related terms

-   [Periodontitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontitis)
-   [Dental plaque](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-plaque)
-   [Gum disease (periodontal disease)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-disease-periodontal-disease)
-   [Gum inflammation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-inflammation)
-   [Bleeding on probing](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bleeding-on-probing)

## Sources

1.  [MouthHealthy (ADA): Gingivitis](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/gingivitis)
2.  [American Dental Association: Glossary of Dental Terms](https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-dental-terms)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)