Gum disease
Bleeding gums are not normal. Whether you have early gum disease or more advanced periodontal problems, our experienced team can help improve your gum health and protect your teeth for the future.
Gum disease can develop quietly
If you've noticed bleeding when brushing, persistent bad breath, sensitivity or changes around your gums, these can be signs that your gum health needs attention.
Gum disease is very common, develops gradually, and in its early stages it may cause few obvious symptoms, which is why regular dental assessments and hygiene cleans are so important.
With the right treatment and effective cleaning at home, gum disease can usually be managed successfully and progression can often be controlled.
What is gum disease?
Watch our dentist explain what gum disease is, how it develops and what you can do to manage it effectively.
Signs of gum disease
Gum disease usually does not cause pain, so recognising the early signs can help you seek advice before the condition becomes more advanced.
Bleeding gums
Bleeding during brushing or interdental cleaning is one of the most common signs of inflammation.
Red or swollen gums
Healthy gums should generally feel firm rather than swollen, tender or inflamed.
Persistent bad breath
Persistent bad breath can sometimes be associated with plaque, tartar and gum inflammation.
Receding gums
Gum recession can make teeth appear longer and may expose more sensitive root surfaces.
Sensitivity
Exposed root surfaces or inflammation around the gums may contribute to increased sensitivity.
Loose teeth
In more advanced periodontal disease, loss of supporting bone can eventually affect the stability of teeth.
How gum disease progresses
Gum disease exists on a spectrum. Early inflammation is very different from advanced periodontitis, which is why diagnosis and regular monitoring matter.
Healthy gums
Healthy gums are generally firm and do not routinely bleed during brushing or interdental cleaning.
Gingivitis
Plaque accumulation can cause inflammation, redness and bleeding. At this stage the supporting bone has not yet been damaged.
Periodontitis
If inflammation progresses deeper around the teeth, the supporting tissues and bone can become affected. Ongoing professional care is then important to control the disease.
How is gum disease treated?
Treatment focuses on controlling the bacteria and deposits that contribute to inflammation, while helping you clean effectively between appointments.
Professional cleaning
Plaque and tartar are carefully removed from areas that are difficult to clean effectively at home.
Personalised home-care advice
We show you the brushing and interdental cleaning techniques most appropriate for your mouth.
Deep cleaning where needed
More advanced cases may require deeper cleaning around and beneath the gum line, usually with local anaesthetic for comfort.
Ongoing periodontal maintenance
Regular maintenance appointments help monitor the gums, reinforce home care and reduce the risk of further progression.
A patient's journey with gum disease
Gum disease can feel worrying, especially if you have been told that bone or supporting tissues around your teeth have been affected.
Hear directly from one of our patients about their experience of improving and maintaining their gum health with the right professional care and home-cleaning routine.
How to clean effectively at home
What you do between appointments is one of the most important parts of controlling gum disease. Our dentists have created these practical videos to show you how to clean between the teeth and around the gum line effectively.
How to use interdental brushes
Learn how to use interdental brushes effectively to clean between the teeth and remove plaque from areas that a toothbrush may not reach.
How to floss effectively
See how to use dental floss correctly to clean between closely spaced teeth and along the gum line.
How to use an interspace brush
Learn how an interspace brush can help clean around the gum line and reach areas that can be difficult to access with a conventional toothbrush.
Questions about gum disease
Some of the questions patients commonly ask us about bleeding gums, periodontal disease and treatment.
Are bleeding gums normal?
No. Healthy gums should not regularly bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth. Bleeding is commonly a sign of inflammation caused by plaque around the gum line and should be assessed if it continues.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gum disease is usually managed rather than cured. It is possible to get completely on top of the condition and keep it stable. However, if you are susceptible to gum disease, you will remain susceptible to it and will generally need better cleaning than the average person, together with regular professional care.
Does gum disease hurt?
Usually not. Gum disease can progress without significant pain, which is one reason regular dental assessments and hygiene cleans are so important.
What is deep cleaning?
Deep cleaning involves removing deposits from below the gum line and around affected tooth surfaces. Local anaesthetic may be used so that the area can be treated comfortably and thoroughly.
Will gum disease make my teeth loose?
Yes. If gum disease becomes advanced, it can eventually cause teeth to become loose because the disease damages the bone and other tissues that support the teeth. Effective treatment and ongoing maintenance aim to prevent or slow this progression.
How often will I need treatment?
While you have active gum disease, it is usually best to have professional cleaning approximately every three months. Once your gum disease has been stabilised, appointments may be reduced to a less frequent interval, such as every four or six months, depending on your individual needs.
What can I do at home?
Effective toothbrushing and regular cleaning between the teeth are essential. We can recommend the most suitable technique and interdental aids for your mouth.
Can gum disease come back after treatment?
Gum disease requires ongoing control. If you are susceptible to gum disease, that susceptibility remains even when the condition has been successfully stabilised. Good home cleaning, regular monitoring and professional maintenance help keep the condition under control.
Concerned about your gums?
If you've noticed bleeding, swelling, recession or other changes around your gums, book an appointment and we can assess your gum health, explain what is happening and recommend the most appropriate next step.