Gingivitis – This is why bad gingivitis is a good reason to come to the dentist
If your gum is sore or you can see blood when you brush your teeth, you are likely to have gingivitis. A condition that seems harmless is detrimental to your health.
Gingivitis in a nutshell
- Symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding from the gums, bad breath, bad taste in your mouth and sore gums.
- Good dental hygiene, regular dental check-ups and tartar removal keep gingivitis at bay.
- Advanced gingivitis should always be treated by a dentist.
A dentist will assess the condition of your oral and dental health and give you personal recommendations on how often you should have a dental check-up.
Book an appointment for a dental check-upSuuhygienisti neuvoo yksilöllisesti oikeat tavat, joilla huolehtia suun terveydestä ja ehkäistä hampaiden reikiintymistä sekä iensairauksia.
Varaa aika suuhygienistilleWhat is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the most common oral disorder in Finland. Gingivitis occurs when bacterial plaque and tartar accumulate in the gumline and between the teeth and the gum around the tooth becomes inflamed.
Gingivitis may sound pretty harmless, but, when untreated, gingivitis is a real threat to your health:
- Gingivitis can lead to damage to the tissues that attach the teeth, called periodontitis, which can cause the teeth to start to become loose and eventually fall out.
- Periodontitis increases the risk of a myocardial or cerebral infarction. It causes a low level of inflammation in your body which can put you at risk of serious illness.
- Oral infections also disrupt the balance of many common disease treatments, such as diabetes.
Gingivitis – symptoms develop slowly
Signs of gingivitis include:
- redness, sensitivity and pain in the gums
- bleeding gums, for example when brushing your teeth
- an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- bad breath
The symptoms of gingivitis can be detected so slowly that you don't even notice them at first.
Fortunately, the dentist or dental hygienist can detect the onset of gingivitis, even if it is still asymptomatic. That's one good reason to get your teeth checked regularly!
Gingivitis – when to see a dentist?
When you notice signs of gingivitis, you can first try to treat it at home:
- Pay more attention to dental care.
- Brush your teeth more often and more carefully.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth too.
Even if you take perfect care of your mouth, gingivitis might not get better.
If the symptoms of gingivitis do not give way within a few days, book an appointment with a dentist or dental hygienist.
There's no need to be shy about coming to the appointment – we treat gingivitis every day.
Let us know if you have dental fear. We take your fears seriously and promise to find the right ways to treat you and your teeth.
Gingivitis – treatment by a dentist and dental hygienist
Since bacteria do not like the surface of a clean tooth, the most important thing in the treatment of gingivitis is a careful cleaning of the teeth. The good news is that, if treated, a common gingivitis usually gets better in a couple of weeks.
When you come to the dental hygienist or dentist, the solution may be:
- Tartar removal. The dentist or dental hygienist removes the tartar that causes gingivitis.
- Repair of teeth. If necessary, the dentist will repair any cavities and fillings where plaque accumulates despite careful home care.
You will always receive a price estimate from your dental hygienist or dentist, which means no unpleasant surprises. See our price list.
You can pay for the treatment flexibly, for example, by invoice or instalment payment.
Read more about Hammas Mehiläinen's payment methodsGingivitis – home care is the cornerstone of prevention
The best treatment for gingivitis is its prevention at home. It is simple:
- Brush your teeth. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes. Use an electric toothbrush for the cleanest result.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth too. Use an interdental brush, brush stick or floss once a day.
- Attend the dental check-up appointment. This allows the early detection of inflammations and tartar in the mouth. Your dentist will let you know the frequency of dental check-ups that suits you.
- Visit your dental hygienist. They will clean your teeth, remove the tartar, and help you choose the tools and techniques to treat your mouth.
- Avoid smoking and using snuff.
Prolonged and persistent gingivitis may indicate periodontitis or other oral diseases. If you suffer from gingivitis repeatedly, you require the help and treatment of a dentist.
The specialist interviewed for the article was dentist Anni Mäkinen.
Consulted specialist in the article
Revised 12/28/2022
Service | Mobile Benefit price | Hinta-arvio |
---|---|---|
Dental check-up | 51.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 81.00 € | |
Dental check-up for patients with dental fear | 88.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 118.00 € | |
Lasten ja nuorten hammastarkastus Hinnat sisältävät poliklinikkamaksun (33,90 €). Varaa lasten ja nuorten hammastarkastus Prices 165.75–232.75 €, without Kela reimbursement 185.90–252.90 € | from 165.75 € Without Kela reimbursement from 185.90 € | |
Dental X-ray of the teeth and jaws | Mobile Benefit 95.00 € The price with a doctor's referral after Kela compensation is €80. | 106.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 115.00 € |
Tartar removal 30–45 minute appointment with a dental hygienist. Prices 126.00–171.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 134.00–189.00 € | from 126.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 134.00 € | |
Dental fillings 1–3 surfaces. Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
Ceramic filling of the tooth 1–3 surfaces. Prices 271.00–693.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 271.00–750.00 € | from 271.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 271.00 € | |
Dental ceramic crown Laboratory costs are not included in the price estimate. Prices 598.00–755.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 598.00–755.00 € | from 598.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 598.00 € | |
Chipped tooth Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
Tooth extraction Prices 105.00–709.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 115.00–771.00 € | from 105.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 115.00 € | |
Tooth whitening Price estimate given at the free consultation appointment. Prices 95.00–436.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 95.00–436.00 € | from 95.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 95.00 € | |
Whitening consultation appointment Includes an individual price estimate for teeth whitening. | Free Kela reimbursement deducted from the price | |
Anaesthesia Prices 36.00–37.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 39.00–40.00 € | from 36.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 39.00 € |
Frequently asked questions about gingivitis
The accumulation of plaque and tartar, which cause gingivitis, is usually caused by insufficient cleaning of the teeth, especially between the teeth.
Typical symptoms of gingivitis include:
- redness, sensitivity and pain in the gums
- bleeding gums
- an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- bad breath
At first, gingivitis may not show any symptoms.
If you have gingivitis and the careful home care does not bring relief to your situation within a few days, make an appointment with a dentist or dental hygienist.
The basis of everything, both in the treatment and prevention of gingivitis, is the careful cleaning of the teeth.
If necessary, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth and remove tartar.
The dentist can also repair any cavities and fillings where plaque accumulates easily.
When you have gingivitis, intensify the cleaning of your teeth. Brush your teeth more often and more carefully. Make a special effort to clean between your teeth. Only use mouthwash if instructed to do so by your dentist.
A lump on the gum may indicate an gum lump caused by a bacterial infection. Always come and show the oral lumps and abscesses to the dentist.