Phrases › At the Dentist › Ho le gengive che sanguinano.

Ho le gengive che sanguinano.

My gums are bleeding.

Pronunciation

jen-JI-ve — soft 'g' before 'i'. 'Sanguinano' — san-gwi-NA-no, four syllables.

When to use it

Report bleeding gums at your check-up or when calling for an appointment. It is a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis.

What it means

'Le gengive che sanguinano' uses a relative clause construction: 'gengive' (gums) + 'che' (that/which) + 'sanguinano' (bleed). Alternatively: 'Le mie gengive sanguinano' (My gums bleed). 'Sangue' (blood) → 'sanguinare' (to bleed). This symptom should never be ignored.

Variations

Le gengive mi sanguinano quando mi lavo i denti.

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth.

Specify the trigger — bleeding only during brushing is common with gingivitis

Ho le gengive gonfie e doloranti.

I have swollen and painful gums.

Additional symptoms suggesting inflammation or infection

Penso di avere la parodontite.

I think I have periodontitis.

Correct medical term for advanced gum disease

Mini Dialogue

— Ho le gengive che sanguinano quasi ogni volta che mi lavo i denti. — Da quanto tempo? — Forse due mesi. Le ho anche un po' gonfie. — Capisco. Le faccio una radiografia panoramica e poi una pulizia professionale. — Ho paura che sia qualcosa di grave. — È probabilmente gengivite. Se curata presto, si risolve bene.

— My gums are bleeding almost every time I brush my teeth. — Since when? — Maybe two months. They are also a bit swollen. — I understand. I will take a panoramic X-ray and then do a professional cleaning. — I am afraid it might be something serious. — It is probably gingivitis. If treated early, it resolves well.

Cultural Note

Professional dental cleaning ('igiene professionale' or 'pulizia dei denti') is recommended every 6 months in Italy. The hygienist ('igienista dentale') removes tartar ('tartaro') and plaque. Many Italian dental studios employ a specialist dental hygienist. This service costs €60–120 in private studios and is rarely covered by the SSN.

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