Your Smile Dental Practice

    Gum Health.

    Support the foundations of your smile with thoughtful gum care, practical advice and time to understand your options.

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    Illustrative gum care with a female clinician in teal scrubs in a bright treatment room

    Healthy gums help support your teeth. Redness, swelling or bleeding when you brush can be signs of gum disease, even if you have little discomfort. We check your gums as part of your routine examination and explain any care that may be needed.

    A good place to start

    Small steps towards healthier gums

    1. 01

      Check and understand

      We examine your gums and the tissues supporting your teeth. X-rays may be recommended to check the supporting bone where needed.

    2. 02

      Plan your care

      We explain what we find and discuss suitable care, which may include professional cleaning or further gum treatment.

    3. 03

      Keep care manageable

      We help you build a brushing and between-teeth cleaning routine, with reviews tailored to your gum health.

    A little more clarity

    Your questions, answered.

    Clinically reviewed

    Bleeding can be a sign of inflammation, often caused by plaque around the gumline. It should not be ignored. Book an assessment so we can identify the cause and explain appropriate care.

    Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, which may look red, swollen or bleed. Periodontitis affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth and can lead to loose teeth if it is not managed.

    Yes. Gum problems can develop with little discomfort, so regular examinations matter even when your mouth feels comfortable. Your dentist checks the gums and may recommend X-rays where needed.

    Care may include professional cleaning, personalised home-care advice and further gum treatment. More advanced or persistent disease may need specialist referral. The plan depends on your assessment.

    Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. We’ll help you find techniques suited to your mouth and advise how often to attend reviews.

    Early gum disease, known as gingivitis, can often be reversed with effective cleaning and good home care. Periodontitis involves damage to the tissues and bone supporting the teeth that cannot usually be reversed. Treatment and ongoing care aim to control the disease and reduce the risk of further damage.

    Signs can include bleeding when brushing, red or swollen gums, bad breath, receding gums and teeth that feel loose or have moved. Gum disease is often painless. A dental assessment is needed to understand what is causing your symptoms.

    It's a thorough clean below the gumline to remove hardened deposits and bacteria from the roots. Local anaesthetic is often used, and cleaning may be spread over several visits. Your dentist will explain whether this is appropriate for your gum health.

    For deeper gum cleaning, local anaesthetic is usually used to help keep you comfortable. Your gums may feel tender for a few days afterwards, and teeth may be more sensitive for a while. Let us know about any discomfort so we can advise you.

    As inflammation settles, swollen gums shrink back, which can make teeth look longer or reveal small gaps. This can happen as your gums heal. Your dentist will explain the changes you may notice and discuss any concerns.

    It depends on how much treatment is needed. Cleaning may be spread over 2–4 visits, with a review around three months later to assess how your gums have responded. Your dentist will explain the plan and timing that suit your gum health.

    Yes. Smoking increases your risk of gum disease, can hide warning signs such as bleeding, and reduces how well your gums respond to treatment. Stopping smoking is one of the most helpful steps you can take for your gum health.

    Research has found links between gum disease and diabetes, heart disease and pregnancy complications. A link does not necessarily mean one causes the other. Diabetes and gum disease can affect each other, so keeping both well managed matters.

    Not necessarily. Many people keep their teeth with treatment and consistent home care. Untreated advanced gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Your dentist will assess the support around your teeth and discuss the outlook for your individual situation.

    Ongoing maintenance care helps keep gum disease under control. Hygiene visits are often recommended around every three months, although the schedule depends on your gum health. Your daily cleaning at home is just as important.

    Some people are genetically more prone to gum disease. If close family members lost teeth to gum problems, tell your dentist so your gum health can be monitored closely. Good home care and regular reviews still matter.

    Independent patient information

    Advice from the Oral Health Foundation

    The Oral Health Foundation is an oral health charity. These guides can help you understand your options and prepare questions for your dental team. General information complements, rather than replaces, advice tailored to your mouth.

    • Understanding gum disease

      Recognise early warning signs and understand how daily cleaning and professional care support your gums.

    Links open on the Oral Health Foundation website.

    Start with a conversation.

    We’ll listen, explain what may be suitable for you and give you room to decide.

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