Early Signs of Gum Disease: What to Look For Before It Becomes Serious

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, that is not normal, and it is not "just because you pressed too hard". Bleeding is the most common early sign of gingivitis — the first, reversible stage of gum disease, in which the gum tissue is inflamed by plaque along the gum line.

Healthy gums do not bleed. If yours do, even occasionally, that is your gums asking for attention while the problem is still easy to fix.

• Redness or swelling — healthy gums are firm and pale pink; inflamed gums look darker red and puffy, often starting between the teeth where plaque collects

• Persistent bad breath — bacteria beneath the gum line produce odour that brushing and mouthwash can't mask for long

• A bad taste that keeps returning

• Tenderness — gums that feel sore or uncomfortable when you chew or touch them

• Receding gums — teeth beginning to look longer as the gum line slowly moves down, sometimes with a notch you can feel at the gum edge

• Sensitivity — to cold, especially where the root surface is newly exposed

Gum disease begins as plaque — the soft, bacteria-rich film that builds up on teeth between cleans. Left along the gum line, the bacteria irritate the gum (gingivitis). If that irritation is allowed to continue, the inflammation can extend deeper, and the bone and fibres that hold your teeth in place begin to break down — at which point it becomes periodontitis, which is not reversible, only manageable. Please do not worry: with the right care, it can be stabilised.

The important word is early. Bleeding gums are the body's alarm bell at the stage when the damage can still be undone with improved home care and a professional clean.

Some people's gums need more vigilant care than others. You should be especially watchful if any of these apply:

• A family history of gum disease — there is a strong hereditary component

• Smoking — the second biggest risk factor after poor oral care

• Diabetes — affects the gum's ability to heal and resist infection

• Pregnancy — hormonal changes make gums more reactive to plaque

• Stress or a run-down immune system

• Crowded or overlapping teeth — harder to clean properly at home

You should book an assessment if:

• Your gums have bled for more than a few days

• You've noticed recession, persistent bad breath, or any of the signs above

• It has been more than six months since your last hygiene appointment — early gum disease is often only visible to a trained eye, and pocket depths can only be measured professionally

At your appointment, your hygienist will measure the pockets around each tooth, check for bleeding, and assess how quickly tartar builds up for you. The earlier we see it, the simpler the solution.

Gingivitis resolves with the right care: a professional clean to remove the tartar that home brushing can't shift, and a home routine tailored to your mouth. Most patients who catch gum disease at this stage never develop anything more serious — provided they keep to the recall interval their hygienist recommends.

Your first appointment is a full gum health and periodontal assessment — unhurried, judgement-free, and genuinely informative. We use intraoral cameras and disclosing agents so you can see what we see in your own mouth, because the most powerful dental tool is knowledge.

You will leave with a clear picture of your gum health and a plan that is entirely yours. Nobody is ever judged for having left it a while; the best day to start is today.

Vere Dental, 1B Palmer Road, Battersea, London SW11 4FZ · 020 4505 6446 · reception@veredental.co.uk