Signs of gum disease: what to look for and when to act
Gum disease is common, usually painless in the early stages, and very treatable when it’s caught early. These are the signs worth acting on.
A quiet problem that is easy to miss
Most people expect a dental problem to hurt. Gum disease usually doesn’t, at least not at first. It develops slowly, often over years, and the early signs are easy to dismiss: a little pink in the sink after brushing, gums that look slightly puffy, breath that’s not quite fresh.
That is a pity, because early gum disease can be fully reversed with good cleaning at home and a professional clean. Later stages can be controlled but not undone. This guide explains the signs to look for, how the condition progresses, who is most at risk and what treatment involves.
8 signs of gum disease
Bleeding when you brush or floss
Healthy gums don’t bleed with normal cleaning. Bleeding is the earliest and most common sign.
Red, swollen or tender gums
Healthy gums are pale pink and firm. Inflamed gums look red or purplish and feel puffy.
Persistent bad breath
Bacteria trapped below the gum line release sulphur compounds that cause breath odour and a bad taste.
Gums pulling back
Receding gums make teeth look longer and can expose sensitive root surfaces.
Pus between teeth and gums
A sign of active infection in the gum pocket. It needs prompt attention.
Loose or shifting teeth
As the bone supporting the teeth is lost, teeth may move, drift apart or feel wobbly.
Changes in your bite
Teeth that no longer meet the way they used to, or a partial denture that no longer fits.
New gaps between teeth
Spaces opening up, often between the front teeth, can indicate bone loss.
How gum disease develops
It starts with plaque, the soft film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. If plaque is not removed along the gum line, the gums become inflamed. This first stage is called gingivitis. The gums bleed easily, but the bone and fibres holding the teeth in place are still intact. At this stage, periodontal disease is completely reversible.
If plaque stays, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which can’t be brushed away. Bacteria then work deeper, and the gum starts to separate from the tooth, forming a pocket. Inside that pocket, the body’s own inflammatory response gradually destroys the bone that supports the tooth. This stage is called periodontitis. The bone loss can’t be fully reversed, but treatment can stop it progressing.
Untreated periodontitis is one of the main reasons adults lose teeth. It has also been linked in research to diabetes control and heart health, which is another reason to take bleeding gums seriously.
Who is most at risk
Anyone can develop gum problems, but some factors make it more likely or more severe. Smoking is the biggest single risk factor; it also hides the warning signs, because nicotine reduces bleeding. Diabetes, particularly when blood sugar is poorly controlled, increases the risk and speeds up bone loss.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy make gums more prone to inflammation. Some medicines cause a dry mouth or gum overgrowth. Crowded teeth and old fillings with rough edges trap plaque. And there is a genetic element: some families are simply more susceptible.
Higher risk if you
- Smoke or use shisha or tobacco
- Have diabetes
- Are pregnant
- Have crowded or overlapping teeth
- Have a family history of early tooth loss
- Are under prolonged stress
Does gum disease hurt?
Usually not, until it’s advanced. That is the main reason it’s so often discovered late. Some people notice sensitivity to cold as gums recede, or tenderness when eating, but many have no discomfort at all even with significant bone loss.
Sudden pain, swelling and pus can occur if a gum abscess forms in a deep pocket. That needs urgent treatment; contact our emergency dentist service the same day.
Not sure what you need?
Get a free check-up and X-ray. A dentist explains your options and gives you the cost in writing. Open until 10 PM on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz.
How we check for gum disease
Look and ask
We look at the colour and shape of the gums and ask about bleeding, sensitivity and any medical conditions.
Measure the pockets
A small, blunt probe measures the space between gum and tooth at several points around each tooth. Healthy pockets are around 1 to 3 mm.
Check for movement
We check whether any teeth are loose and whether the bite has changed.
X-rays
X-rays show the bone level around the roots. The consultation and X-ray are free at our clinic.
How gum disease is treated
For gingivitis, a professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, followed by good daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, is usually all that’s needed. The gums typically settle within a few weeks.
For periodontitis, treatment goes deeper. Root surface debridement, sometimes called deep cleaning, removes tartar and bacteria from inside the pockets, usually under local anaesthetic. The gums then heal and tighten against the teeth. We reassess after a few weeks. Most people respond well, but some deeper pockets may need further treatment or referral to a gum specialist. See our gum treatment page for details.
Afterwards, regular maintenance cleanings, often every three to four months instead of six, keep periodontal disease under control. Your daily routine at home matters just as much as treatment in the chair.
What you can do at home
Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles towards the gum line. Clean between your teeth once a day; our guide on how to floss explains the technique step by step. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can help if you brush too hard or struggle to remove plaque.
If you smoke, stopping is one of the most effective things you can do for your gums. Keep diabetes well controlled. Don’t wait for pain: bleeding gums that last more than two weeks are reason enough for a check-up. The NHS page on gum problems has more general information.
Gum disease and bad breath
Many people who come to us about bad breath turn out to have gum inflammation. Mouthwash masks the smell for an hour or two but doesn’t treat the cause. Once the pockets are cleaned and the gums heal, breath usually improves noticeably. If you have been told you have bad breath and mouthwash isn’t helping, a gum check is a sensible first step.
Pregnancy, diabetes and your gums
Hormone changes during pregnancy make the gums react more strongly to plaque. Many women notice bleeding or swelling from the second month, a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. It isn’t a reason to avoid the dentist; a check-up and cleaning are safe during pregnancy, and the second trimester is usually the most comfortable time.
The link with diabetes works both ways. High blood sugar makes infections, including gum infections, harder to control, and active gum inflammation can make blood sugar harder to manage. If you have diabetes, tell us at your visit and mention any gum problems to your doctor as well.
What a healthy mouth looks like
It helps to know what normal looks like so you can spot changes. Healthy gums are firm, pale or coral pink (or evenly pigmented in darker skin tones), and fit snugly around each tooth in a scalloped shape. They don’t bleed when you brush or floss, and your breath stays reasonably fresh between meals. Teeth feel solid and your bite feels the same from month to month. If you notice any change from this, even without pain, it’s worth a quick check.
Gum disease questions
Can gum disease be cured?
Is gum disease contagious?
Is deep cleaning painful?
Will my teeth fall out?
Does insurance cover gum treatment?
Bleeding gums? Get them checked.
Book a free consultation and X-ray in Al Majaz. We’ll measure your gums, explain what we find and give you a written plan.
About our clinic
Written by the dental team at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic, a family clinic on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, Sharjah, seeing patients since 1998, and medically reviewed by Dr Ranjeet Kumar, Medical Director (BDS, Diploma in Endodontics), October 2026. This is general information, not a diagnosis. If something feels wrong, come in and let us look.
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