Is Gingivitis Contagious?
Key takeaways:
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and can often be prevented with good oral hygiene.
Knowing the early signs and symptoms of gingivitis can help get rid of the disease before it causes serious damage.
Whether gingivitis is contagious or not is still up for debate. But there are easy ways you can avoid potentially spreading it.
A beautiful smile starts with a healthy foundation to support your teeth. Your gums are an important part of this solid foundation, but they may be at risk. According to a recent study, nearly half of U.S. adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease.
Gingivitis is the mildest and most common form of gum disease. Let’s take a closer look at how to recognize its symptoms and prevent its spread.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a condition involving inflammation of the gums. It occurs due to a buildup of plaque — a thin, sticky film that forms on your teeth and other surfaces of your mouth daily. Plaque is full of bacteria and should be removed regularly through brushing and flossing. If not removed, plaque can remain on your teeth and lead to inflammation of your gums. This is the most common cause of gingivitis.
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Less common causes of gingivitis include:
Hormonal changes from pregnancy
Vitamin C deficiency
Certain medications like those used to treat epilepsy
These factors can all cause an overgrowth of gum tissue, making it difficult to keep the mouth clean. This creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
Although gingivitis can sometimes go unnoticed, here are the most common symptoms to look out for:
Swollen or puffy gums
Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
Redness, shiny gums
Gum soreness
Is gingivitis contagious?
Whether gingivitis is contagious is still up for debate. Experts do know that the most common cause of gingivitis is bacteria found in plaque. Inadequate plaque removal from the teeth can lead to the accumulation of this bacteria in your saliva.
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While gingivitis isn’t directly contagious, the bacteria that causes gingivitis can spread through saliva. Activities involving saliva-to-saliva contact, like the following, have the potential to spread these bacteria:
Kissing
Sharing sports mouthguards
Drinking from the same container
Sharing toothbrushes
Using the same eating utensils
Although the risk of spreading gingivitis is minimal, eliminating bacteria in your mouth remains important. This may be especially important for those at a greater risk for gum disease. This includes people who:
Are pregnant
Have diabetes
Smoke
How long is gingivitis contagious?
Gingivitis can be contagious as long as it’s active. If puffy, bleeding gums are still present, it’s safe to say that gingivitis is still present. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible. But early treatment is key. This may require a visit to your dental care provider or improving your at-home dental care routine.
How can you keep gingivitis from spreading?
Saliva-to-saliva contact has the potential to spread the bacteria that causes gingivitis. To prevent gingivitis from spreading avoid:
Sharing toothbrushes and eating utensils
Drinking after others
Kissing while the disease is active
If left untreated, gingivitis-causing bacteria can also spread within your mouth, moving from one area to the other. The bacteria will generally start in a small grouping but can multiply rapidly. Good oral hygiene and plaque removal at least twice daily through brushing and flossing can hinder this bacterial growth.
What’s the best way to get rid of gingivitis?
Getting rid of gingivitis starts with adjusting your oral healthcare routine by:
Brushing at least twice daily
Flossing at least once daily
Use an antibacterial mouthwash
Avoiding excessive snacking throughout the day
Quitting smoking
If at-home methods show little to no improvement in the health of your gums, schedule an appointment with your dental care provider.
Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a more serious condition that can cause detachment of the gingival tissue and bone loss around your teeth. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis, isn’t curable.
The bottom line
Treating gingivitis early on is important for preventing more serious gum damage and bone loss in the future. Recognizing the symptoms is key. Simple adjustments in your at-home care routine can reverse the disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dental care provider twice a year is also important. These steps not only help prevent gingivitis from returning, it can also reduce the risk of its spread.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Academy of Periodontology. (n.d.). Gum disease information.
Eke, P. I., et al. (2012). Prevalence of periodontitis in adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010. Journal of Dental Research.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2023). Overview: Gingivitis and periodontitis. InformedHealth.org.
Loesche, W. J. (1996). Chapter 99 Microbiology of dental decay and periodontal disease. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
MouthHealthy. (n.d.). Bleeding gums. American Dental Association.
Rathee, M., et al. (2023). Gingivitis. StatPearls.
