Gingivitis – inflamed and bleeding gums – is a worrying problem. But it’s also a common problem that can be easily remedied and prevented with a good oral health regime based around an effective toothpaste.
In this article we have reviewed a number of specialist toothpastes to help you find the best toothpaste for gingivitis and bleeding gums on the market today.
Though gingivitis can be easily dealt with it should never be ignored. It can lead to more serious gum disease that may not only cause tooth loss, but also threaten your overall systemic health.
Before we get to the products, there are three absolutely fundamental features of gingivitis that we have summarized briefly below. Understanding these will help you more successfully treat gingivitis and avoid it in the future.
What is Gingivitis and why does Gingivitis occur?
Any condition ending in ‘itis’ is an inflammation. Inflammation involves reddening and swelling.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva. This is the tissue that holds teeth in their sockets and fixes them to the jawbone. Three out of four Americans will suffer from gingivitis at some time in their lives!
Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response to risk of infection. It’s a warning that something is wrong. In the case of gingivitis, the gingiva swell to try to protect the body from invasion by bacteria. The bacteria are contained in the sticky film that can build up along the gum line called plaque.
Plaque buildup is the main cause of gingivitis but other factors contribute to it or make it more likely to occur. These include:
- Stress
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Age
- Overlapping or crowded teeth that make thorough brushing difficult
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Chronic illness
- Certain medications
Why Is It Important For Gingivitis To Be Treated?
If plaque’s not removed, it binds with minerals in your saliva to form tartar. Tartar is hard and sticky and builds up in areas your toothbrush can’t reach, including below the gum line. This may cause gaps to form between the teeth and gums and, since tartar harbors bacteria, the gums may then become infected.
This is exactly what your body was trying to prevent by swelling the gums. And what it was trying to warn you about by making your gums bleed and feel sore.
Once the gums do become infected, you may develop periodontitis which can lead to tooth loss and the spread of bacteria into your bloodstream. This in turn can then affect your general health.
But take heart! This progression can easily be reversed if you take prompt action. And the toothpaste you choose can make a significant difference in stopping gingivitis in its tracks.
Can Toothpaste reverse Gingivitis?
The right toothpaste can remedy, reverse and prevent gingivitis IF you start with a clean canvas. By this we mean that if tartar has already built up along your gum line it needs to be removed. The only way to do this safely and effectively is in-office.
Once the tartar is gone it’s vital to brush AND floss correctly to regularly remove plaque before it gets the chance to build up again.
We provide more general advice on flossing below, but for now what should you look for in a toothpaste for gingivitis?
- Detoxifying ingredients that treat the gum line where plaque bacteria can build up.
- Ingredients that dissolve calcium contained in saliva before it calcifies into tartar.
- Ingredients that neutralize harmful acids
- Formulations that enable the toothpaste to penetrate hard to reach places.
Best Toothpaste for Gingivitis
Parodontax
Highlights
- Helps prevent bleeding gums and clinically proven to reverse the effects of gingivitis
- 40% more effective at reducing bleeding gums (compared to a sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste)
- Contains stannous fluoride to fight plaque and prevent cavities and pain from sensitivity.
The key active ingredient in Parodontax is stannous fluoride which has antibacterial properties that fight plaque and gingivitis. In addition, it lays down a mineral barrier over exposed dentin (inner part of the tooth) to prevent sensitivity.
Parodontax has the added benefit of enabling you to continue with your whitening regime whilst improving gum health. As well as using hydrated silica to gently buff away stains, Parodontax deploys Pentasodium Triphosphate (PT) to dissolve surface stains. PT also prevents food particles from sticking to teeth surfaces which disrupts plaque build up.
Polyacrylic acid is deployed as an anti tartar agent as it reduces the amount of calcium in saliva to prevent the calcification (or hardening) of plaque.
This is a great daily toothpaste that supports gum health, while gently whitening and protecting your teeth. It has a thick non-gritty texture and a fresh minty flavor (view on Amazon).
- 3X Parodontax dentifricio whitening Toothpaste 75 ml Toothpaste
- Brand: Parodontax
- Product type: TOOTH CLEANING AGENT
Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean
Highlights
- Neutralizes plaque bacteria
- Formulated to foam in a way that penetrates hard to reach places
- Gently cools gums during and after brushing
- Contains Stannous Fluoride to strengthen enamel, prevent plaque and cavities and relieve the pain of sensitivity
Crest Gum Detoxify is specifically formulated to neutralize and control plaque around the gum line. It is engineered to provide a cooling, soothing foam that reaches areas your toothbrush cannot.
The active ingredient it contains, stannous fluoride, not only fights cavities, but also has antibacterial properties that fight plaque as well as laying a protective mineral barrier over the tooth surface to strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent sensitivity pain.
In addition, zinc citrate is used to neutralize the ph value in the mouth and reduce harmful acids.
Combined with flossing, Crest Gum Detoxify can give you clinically proven healthier gums in just two months – and prevent future gum problems before they get a chance to develop (view on Amazon).
For whitening benefits you can also try Crest Gum Detoxify + Whitening Toothpaste, which combines gingivitis protection as well as noticeably whiter teeth.
- Crest Toothpaste Gum Detoxify Deep Clean 4.1oz Pack of 3
- Health Personal Care Dental Care Toothpastes Shops
- Product Type: TOOTH CLEANING AGENT
Lacalut Aktiv
Highlights
- Gently tightens and strengthens gums to help prevent gum disease
- Protects teeth and gums from sensitivity
Lacalut Aktiv is a German product. The active ingredient it contains is aluminum lactate, an astringent which helps to tighten gums and close the ‘gaps’ that may be allowing bacterial infection. It also helps to prevent future gum inflammation. Combined with aluminum fluoride, Lacalut Aktiv has been clinically proven to reduce decay, remove plaque and clean deeply and effectively.
Lacalut Aktiv also contains aluminum hydroxide to neutralize harmful acids in the mouth.
This is a lot of aluminum related ingredients! There are some health concerns about the use of aluminum in oral products so if you share these, this may not be the toothpaste for you.
Beyond the aluminum related ingredients, Lacalut Aktiv deploys Allantoin to soothe inflammation and Chlorhexidine Digluconate which has strong antiseptic properties and therefore prevents plaque buildup.
Lacalut Aktiv is a tingly toothpaste that will leave your mouth feeling refreshed, fight bacteria and gently treat and tighten sore gums (view on Amazon).
- Acl Lacalut Toothpaste Aktiv 2 X 75Ml By Ger
- Product type: TOOTH CLEANING AGENT
- Brand: TK.JP
Colgate Total Pro Gum Health
Highlights
- Clinically proven to reduce the progression of gum disease and promote gum health
- Provides 12-hour protection against gum bleeding, inflammation and plaque and tartar build up
- Contains fluoride to prevent cavities
Colgate deploys triclosan, a powerful antibacterial agent, to fight harmful plaque bacteria that cause gingivitis.
The Food and Drug Administration have approved Colgate Total products but there are concerns that triclosan can have negative health impacts. If you share these concerns, Colgate Total may not be the toothpaste for you.
In addition to triclosan, Colgate Total deploys Poly Maleic Acid to maximize the take up of triclosan by tooth enamel and Sodium Hydroxide to neutralize harmful plaque acids.
Colgate Total Pro Gum Health has a fresh, not overbearing, minty flavor and a pleasing consistency (view on Amazon).
- Reduces progression of periodontitis
- Twelve hours protection
- Antibacterial system fights plaque and tartar
Complete Oral Care for Gingivitis
Using the best toothpaste for gingivitis is your first line of defense against gum disease. Brush correctly at least twice a day. Increase this to after every meal if you are prone to gingivitis or have a family history of gum disease (and that’s 30% of us according to the American Academy of Periodontology).
But brushing is just step one of an oral health routine that aims to protect your gums.
- Floss as well as brushing!
Even the best toothbrush can’t get between teeth and under the gumline so you should floss once a day to treat and prevent further gingivitis. There a variety of flossing tools to choose from, including the most fun, fast and easy way to floss – a water flosser – which can help reverse gum disease.
- Use an anti-gingivitis mouthwash.
- Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 months to ensure you are always removing as much plaque as possible.
- Use a specialist toothbrush. Think about upgrading to an Sonicare Series 3 which promises healthier gums in just 2 weeks.
- Regularly check your gums: If you notice changes in color or appearance, see your dentist or dental hygienist.
- See your dentist twice a year for a deep clean and a general checkup. If you have weakened immunity, a family history of gum disease or are at risk of gum disease due to other factors, then more regular checkups may be necessary.
And lastly, eat healthily. In particular, cut down on sugary, starchy foods. Sugar encourages the growth of bacteria and the production of bacterial acids.