Gum health and preventive dental care
Gingivitis Treatment in Stockholm for Bleeding and Inflamed Gums
If your gums bleed when you brush, look red or swollen, feel tender or
cause an unpleasant taste, gingivitis may be one possible explanation.
At Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm, we provide
gingivitis treatment in Stockholm with professional
gum assessment, plaque and tartar removal when indicated, and
personalised guidance for healthier daily routines.
Gingivitis is inflammation limited to the gum tissue and is commonly
associated with bacterial plaque around the gumline. When identified
early and managed effectively, plaque-related gingivitis can often
improve without permanent loss of the supporting tissues around the teeth.
Clinically reviewed by: Alaleh Tarahomi, licensed
dentist and clinical director at Gloss & Floss Dental Care®.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
Quick answer: what should you do about bleeding gums?
Repeated gum bleeding should not simply be ignored. Plaque-related
inflammation and tartar are common causes, but a clinical assessment
may be needed to distinguish uncomplicated gingivitis from periodontitis
or another local dental problem.
- Early plaque-related gingivitis can often improve with effective
daily cleaning and professional care when needed. - Hardened tartar cannot be removed with ordinary brushing or flossing.
- Continue cleaning gently rather than avoiding the gumline solely
because it bleeds. - Seek prompt care for rapidly increasing swelling, pus, fever, severe
pain or unexpected tooth mobility.
Common warning signs
Do your symptoms match inflamed gums?
For practical advice on cleaning and when to seek planned, urgent or emergency care, read our guide to bleeding gums and when to get help.
Gingivitis may cause little or no pain, which means the early signs are
sometimes overlooked. Common symptoms include:
Bleeding gums
Bleeding during brushing or interdental cleaning commonly occurs
when the gumline is inflamed.
Red or swollen gums
Inflamed gums may look redder, feel tender or appear puffy around one
or several teeth.
Bad breath or taste
Plaque, tongue coating, tartar and gum inflammation may contribute
to persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste.
Plaque or tartar
Deposits around the gumline can make effective home cleaning more
difficult and allow inflammation to persist.
If bad breath is your principal concern, read more about our
bad breath assessment and treatment.
Understanding the condition
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation affecting the gums around the teeth without
clinical loss of the deeper tooth-supporting tissues. It most commonly
develops when bacterial plaque remains along the gumline.
If plaque is not removed effectively, minerals in saliva can cause it to
harden into calculus, commonly called tartar. Tartar creates a rough
surface that retains further deposits and cannot be adequately removed
with a toothbrush or dental floss.
Professional assessment is particularly important when bleeding or
swelling persists, because similar symptoms can also occur with deeper
periodontal disease or a local problem affecting a particular tooth.
An important distinction
Gingivitis or periodontitis: what is the difference?
Gingivitis
- Inflammation is limited to the gum tissue.
- Common signs include bleeding, redness and swelling.
- No loss of the tooth-supporting structures is present.
- Plaque control, professional cleaning where needed and improved
home care are central to treatment.
Periodontitis
- Deeper supporting tissues around the teeth are affected.
- Periodontal pockets and supporting bone loss may be present.
- Other signs may include gum recession, tooth mobility or recurrent
inflammation. - Structured periodontal diagnosis, treatment and maintenance are required.
Gingivitis does not inevitably develop into periodontitis. However,
persistent plaque-related inflammation together with individual risk
factors may increase the likelihood of more advanced periodontal
problems in susceptible patients.
If we identify deeper pockets, attachment loss, tooth mobility, bone loss
or other signs of periodontitis, we will explain the findings and
recommend an appropriate treatment pathway. Learn more about
periodontal disease and loose teeth
.
Causes and risk factors
What can cause bleeding and inflamed gums?
Plaque accumulation around the gumline is the most common cause of
gingivitis. Several other factors can influence the gums or make plaque
more difficult to remove.
Plaque and tartar
Bacterial deposits around and between the teeth can trigger
inflammation and bleeding.
Interdental areas
Plaque can remain between the teeth even when the visible tooth
surfaces appear clean.
Smoking and nicotine
Smoking adversely affects periodontal health and may make visible
bleeding less noticeable.
Diabetes
Diabetes and periodontal health can influence each other, making
appropriate prevention and monitoring particularly important.
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy and other hormonal changes can alter the way gum tissue
responds to plaque.
Dry mouth
Reduced saliva may increase oral-health risks and make a tailored
preventive routine more important.
Crowded teeth
Overlapping or difficult-to-reach surfaces can make daily plaque
removal more challenging.
Restorations and appliances
Crowns, bridges, implants, retainers and orthodontic appliances may
require adapted cleaning techniques.
Local dental problems
Swelling around one tooth may require assessment for another local
cause rather than being assumed to be generalised gingivitis.
Related information:
diabetes and oral health
,
dental care during pregnancy
and
dry mouth
.
Your appointment
How we treat gingivitis at Gloss & Floss
Gingivitis treatment in Stockholm should be based on your clinical
findings rather than a standard cleaning package. The purpose is to
control the current inflammation, identify why deposits are accumulating
and establish a realistic prevention plan.
Gum-health assessment
We assess the gum tissue, plaque, bleeding and visible deposits.
Periodontal pocket measurements may be performed when indicated.
Professional cleaning
Plaque and hardened tartar are removed using appropriate
professional instruments where clinically necessary.
Personalised guidance
We review brushing, interdental cleaning and access to areas that
repeatedly retain plaque.
Follow-up planning
The recommended interval depends on your gum findings, previous
disease, deposit accumulation and individual risk factors.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include
professional tartar removal
.
AirFlow treatment
may also be used for professional biofilm and external stain management
when clinically suitable. AirFlow does not replace the instrumentation
required to remove established hardened tartar.
What happens after professional cleaning?
When inflammation is primarily caused by plaque accumulation, the gums
may begin to improve after effective professional and home plaque
control. The time required varies according to the severity and extent
of inflammation, the presence of tartar, the quality of daily cleaning
and individual risk factors.
Persistent bleeding, swelling or tenderness should be reassessed,
particularly when symptoms remain localised around one tooth or when
deeper periodontal disease is suspected.
Daily prevention
What can you do at home for inflamed gums?
Consistent daily plaque control is essential for managing
plaque-related gingivitis. Home care cannot, however, remove
established hardened tartar.
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Use a suitable toothbrush with gentle, controlled pressure around
the gumline. - Clean between the teeth every day using interdental brushes or
floss where appropriate. - Do not avoid an area solely because it bleeds; clean gently and
arrange an assessment if bleeding persists. - Follow the individual technique and product recommendations given
by your dentist or dental hygienist.
Manual or electric toothbrush?
Both manual and powered toothbrushes can remove plaque effectively
when they are used correctly. The most appropriate option depends on
your dexterity, access, brushing technique, pressure and personal
preferences.
Our dental hygienist team can provide
individual electric-toothbrush and home oral-care guidance
,
including guidance on Philips Sonicare when it is appropriate for
your routine.
For a wider risk-based prevention strategy, see our
preventive dental care
page.
When should gum symptoms be assessed promptly?
Uncomplicated gingivitis is not normally a dental emergency. Contact a
dental clinic promptly if you develop:
- Swelling that is rapidly increasing or spreading
- Pus, discharge or a suspected dental abscess
- Fever or feeling generally unwell with oral symptoms
- Severe or rapidly increasing pain
- A tooth that becomes loose or changes position unexpectedly
- Persistent, heavy or unexplained bleeding
- A lump, ulcer or red or white area that does not heal
For urgent problems, visit our
emergency dental care in Stockholm
page or call 08-643 90 11.
Professional gum care in Södermalm
Why choose Gloss & Floss for gingivitis treatment?
Cause-focused assessment
We assess likely contributing factors instead of treating bleeding
as an isolated symptom.
Dental hygienist support
Professional cleaning can be combined with tailored brushing and
interdental-care guidance.
Clear English communication
We welcome international residents, visitors and English-speaking
patients in Stockholm.
Prevention-led pathway
Our goal is to help control current inflammation and reduce the risk
of recurrent plaque-related problems.
Connected dental care
If deeper periodontal disease or another dental condition is found,
we can explain the appropriate next step.
Södermalm location
Gloss & Floss Dental Care® is located on Ölandsgatan, close to
Skanstull in Stockholm.
Connected treatment pathways
Related gum-health services
Dental hygienist
Professional cleaning, prevention and personalised gum-health support.
Explore treatment
Tartar removal
Professional removal of hardened deposits around the teeth and gumline.
Explore treatment
AirFlow treatment
Professional biofilm and external stain management when suitable.
Explore treatment
Periodontal disease
Information about deeper gum disease, bone loss and loose teeth.
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
FAQs about gingivitis and bleeding gums
Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss?
Bleeding commonly occurs when the gumline is inflamed because
plaque has accumulated around or between the teeth. Tartar, local
irritation and other oral or general health factors may also
contribute. Recurrent bleeding should be assessed rather than
automatically attributed to brushing pressure.
Can gingivitis go away completely?
Plaque-related gingivitis can often be reversed when plaque is
controlled effectively and tartar is professionally removed where
necessary. A clinical assessment is required if symptoms persist
or there are signs of deeper periodontal disease.
How long does gingivitis take to improve?
Improvement may begin after effective plaque control is
established, but there is no single timeline suitable for every
patient. The extent of inflammation, tartar deposits, daily
cleaning and individual risk factors all influence healing.
Persistent symptoms should be reassessed.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation limited to the gums without loss of the
deeper supporting tissues. Periodontitis affects the structures
supporting the teeth and may involve periodontal pockets,
attachment loss, bone loss, gum recession or tooth mobility.
Can I treat gingivitis at home?
Effective brushing and interdental cleaning are essential for
controlling plaque-related gingivitis. However, hardened tartar
cannot be adequately removed at home, and professional assessment
may be necessary to confirm that deeper periodontal disease is not
present.
Why is the gum swollen around only one tooth?
Localised swelling may be related to plaque retention or trapped
debris, but it can also have another dental cause affecting that
specific tooth. Increasing swelling, pus, severe pain or fever
requires prompt professional assessment.
Should I continue brushing if my gums bleed?
Do not stop cleaning the area solely because it bleeds. Continue
gentle plaque removal with a suitable toothbrush and interdental
cleaning technique. Avoid aggressive scrubbing and arrange an
assessment if bleeding is persistent or worsening.
Can pregnancy or diabetes affect gum inflammation?
Yes. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase the gum
tissue’s response to plaque. Diabetes and periodontal health can
also influence each other. Consistent plaque control and
individual professional monitoring may therefore be particularly
important.
When are swollen or bleeding gums urgent?
Seek prompt dental care for rapidly increasing or spreading
swelling, pus, severe pain, fever or general illness, unexpected
tooth mobility, or persistent heavy or unexplained bleeding.
Further clinical information
For independent patient information, see
1177’s information about tartar and gingivitis
and the
European Federation of Periodontology’s patient information about gum treatment
.
Book gingivitis treatment in Stockholm
If your gums repeatedly bleed, remain swollen or do not improve despite
careful home cleaning, a professional assessment can help identify the
cause and the appropriate treatment pathway.
Book a dental hygienist appointment for gum-health assessment,
professional cleaning and personalised prevention guidance. If you
have severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, pus or fever, contact
the clinic for urgent advice.
This page provides general information about gingivitis, bleeding gums
and inflamed gums. It does not replace an individual examination,
diagnosis or treatment recommendation from a dentist or dental hygienist.
