Why gum health matters more than you think
Bleeding gums aren't normal. What gum disease is, what causes it, how it progresses, and what keeps your gums healthy.
What gum disease is
Gum disease is when your gums become red, swollen and sore, and bleed. It's very common, and it's caused by plaque: if plaque isn't removed properly by brushing and cleaning between the teeth every day, it irritates the gums.
Warning signs
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss, or when you eat hard foods
- Gums that look red or swollen, or feel tender
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
- In the later stages: gums that pull away from the teeth, loose teeth and abscesses
Early gum disease is often painless, so bleeding gums are worth checking even if nothing hurts.
Two stages
Gingivitis is the early stage. The gums are inflamed but the bone is untouched, and it can usually be reversed with a professional clean and better home care.
If it's left, it can progress to periodontitis. Bacteria get under the gum, pockets form, and the ligaments and bone that hold your teeth begin to break down, which can end in loose or lost teeth. It's more common than most people think: in one large US survey, almost half of adults over 30 had some form of gum disease.
Who is at higher risk?
Smoking and type 2 diabetes both make gum disease more likely, and make it harder to treat. If you have either, regular dental check-ups matter even more.
What keeps gums healthy
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.
- Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly.
- Don't use mouthwash straight after brushing, which washes away the fluoride.
- Don't smoke.
Treatment
Early gum disease is treated with a professional clean and advice on home care. More established disease needs a deep clean (scaling and root planing), which usually takes one to two hours under local anaesthetic, and sometimes antibiotics. Advanced cases may need gum surgery. We also use lasers for some gum treatments.
Gum disease can't be cured, only controlled, which is why follow-up visits, often two to four a year, are such an important part of treatment.
When to see a dentist
Book a routine appointment if your gums are bleeding or swollen. Ask for urgent care if you have very severe symptoms, loose teeth or mouth ulcers.
Sources
- NHS: Gum disease
- Cleveland Clinic: Gum disease treatment
- Cleveland Clinic: Scaling and root planing
- Deekshu Dental Clinic: Treatments
This article is general information, not a substitute for an examination. For advice about your own teeth, book a visit.
Come in for a check-up. We’ll examine your teeth, explain what we find and talk you through the options.