Concerned about your gum health? Book a periodontal assessment.
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
South Kensington, London
Gum disease is one of the most common oral health conditions in the UK, affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It ranges from gingivitis — an early, reversible stage of gum inflammation — to periodontitis, a more advanced form that can affect the bone supporting the teeth. Because gum disease often progresses gradually and without significant pain, many patients are unaware of it until symptoms become noticeable. Early signs such as bleeding gums when brushing, swollen gums, or persistent bad breath should not be ignored. At our South Kensington dental practice, our dentists provide thorough periodontal assessments to identify gum disease at the earliest opportunity and work with you on a personalised management plan.
Explore the full range of dental conditions we treat or read on to understand the stages, signs, and management of gum disease.
Concerned About Your Gums?
Let us assess your gum health and create a personalised plan
- Full periodontal assessment
- Pocket depth measurements
- Plaque & tartar evaluation
- Personalised hygiene plan
- Ongoing monitoring support
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease — also known as periodontal disease — is a bacterial infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It begins when plaque bacteria accumulate along the gumline and trigger an inflammatory response in the gum tissue.
In its earliest form, known as gingivitis, the inflammation is limited to the soft gum tissue. At this stage the condition is typically reversible with professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene. The gums may appear red, swollen, and bleed easily during brushing or flossing, but no permanent damage has occurred to the supporting bone.
If gingivitis is not addressed, it can progress to periodontitis — a more advanced form in which the infection spreads below the gumline and begins to affect the bone and ligaments that anchor the teeth. Periodontitis is not reversible in the same way as gingivitis, though it can be stabilised and managed with appropriate professional care.
Because gum disease often develops gradually and without significant discomfort, regular dental examinations and periodontal screening play a valuable role in early detection.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Gum disease may present with one or more of the following signs. Because the condition is not always painful, symptoms can develop gradually without being immediately noticed:
These symptoms may vary in severity. A clinical periodontal assessment provides the most reliable way to confirm whether gum disease is present and determine its stage.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Several factors can contribute to the development and progression of gum disease. Understanding these helps with both prevention and management.
Plaque and Tartar Build-Up
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms continuously on tooth surfaces. When it is not removed effectively through daily brushing and interdental cleaning, it hardens into tartar (calculus). Tartar cannot be removed at home and provides a persistent reservoir of bacteria that irritates and inflames the gum tissue — the primary driver of gum disease.
Inadequate Oral Hygiene
Inconsistent brushing, insufficient interdental cleaning, or ineffective technique can leave plaque behind — particularly in hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and along the gumline. Over time, this allows gum inflammation to develop and, if unaddressed, to progress to more advanced periodontal disease.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for gum disease. It impairs blood flow to the gums, reduces the body's immune response to bacterial plaque, and can mask early symptoms such as bleeding — making the condition harder to detect and more difficult to manage.
Medical Conditions Affecting Gum Health
Certain systemic conditions — including diabetes, immune disorders, and some hormonal changes — can affect the body's ability to manage gum inflammation effectively. Some medications may also reduce saliva production or promote gum overgrowth, both of which can contribute to plaque accumulation and periodontal problems.
Genetic Susceptibility
Research suggests that some individuals may be genetically more susceptible to gum disease, even with good oral hygiene. A family history of periodontal problems does not guarantee disease but may indicate a need for more frequent monitoring and professional care.
Why Early Periodontal Assessment Matters
Identifying gum disease early — before it has the opportunity to progress — offers significant advantages for long-term oral health:
Early detection improves management
Gum disease identified in its early stages responds more predictably to treatment. Gingivitis, in particular, is often reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.
Prevents progression to advanced disease
Without intervention, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis — a more complex condition affecting the bone. Early periodontal assessment helps prevent this progression.
Helps preserve supporting structures
The bone and ligaments that hold teeth in place cannot regenerate once lost. Identifying and managing gum disease early helps protect these structures.
Personalised hygiene planning
A thorough assessment allows your dental team to create a tailored hygiene plan that addresses your specific risk factors and supports long-term gum stability.
Noticing Bleeding or Swollen Gums?
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, our South Kensington dentists can provide a comprehensive periodontal assessment and hygiene plan.
How We Assess Gum Disease
When you attend our practice with concerns about your gum health, our dentists carry out a structured periodontal assessment:
Clinical examination of gum tissue colour, contour, and consistency
Periodontal pocket measurements to assess attachment levels
Assessment of gum recession and tissue changes
Plaque and tartar evaluation above and below the gumline
Digital X-rays if clinically indicated to assess bone support
Clear discussion of findings and recommended management plan
The stage and severity of gum disease can only be confirmed through clinical examination. Treatment recommendations are discussed once the assessment is complete.
Treatment & Hygiene Plan
Treatment is tailored to the type and severity of gum disease identified during your assessment. The following approaches form the foundation of effective management.
Professional Hygiene Therapy
Professional cleaning by our dental hygienist appointment team is typically the first step in managing gum disease. This involves scaling — the careful removal of plaque and hardened tartar deposits from above and below the gumline — combined with polishing to smooth the tooth surfaces. By eliminating the bacterial deposits that drive gum inflammation, professional hygiene therapy helps reduce swelling, bleeding, and pocket depths, and supports the gums' natural healing response.
Personalised Oral Hygiene Plan
Effective daily plaque control is essential to maintaining the results of professional treatment. Your dentist or hygienist will demonstrate the correct brushing technique, recommend appropriate interdental cleaning tools — such as interdental brushes or floss — and advise on cleaning frequency. Guidance is tailored to your individual needs and may include lifestyle advice on factors such as diet and smoking that can influence gum health.
Ongoing Periodontal Monitoring
Gum disease requires long-term management. Regular review appointments allow your dental team to monitor pocket depths, assess gum tissue health, and adjust your care plan as needed. A tailored maintenance schedule — typically involving hygiene visits at intervals recommended by your clinician — plays a central role in preventing recurrence and supporting long-term periodontal stability.
Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
Gingivitis — the early stage of gum disease — is often reversible. Because the inflammation at this stage is confined to the soft gum tissue and has not yet affected the underlying bone, the gums have a strong capacity to heal once plaque and tartar are removed and effective daily hygiene is established.
Periodontitis — the more advanced form — is not reversible in the same way. Once bone loss has occurred, that structural support cannot regenerate naturally. However, periodontitis can typically be stabilised with appropriate treatment and consistent long-term maintenance. The goal of treatment shifts to halting further progression, maintaining the current level of bone support, and preserving the affected teeth for as long as clinically possible.
In both cases, ongoing commitment to professional care and daily oral hygiene is essential. Early intervention consistently leads to more predictable outcomes and more conservative treatment.
Preventing Gum Disease
Gum disease is largely preventable with consistent oral hygiene and regular professional care:
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and spend at least two minutes cleaning all surfaces, paying particular attention to the gumline where plaque accumulates.
Clean between your teeth daily
Use interdental brushes or floss to remove plaque and food debris from areas your toothbrush cannot reach — this is often where gum disease begins.
Attend routine dental check-ups
Regular examinations allow early detection of gum changes, and professional cleaning removes hardened tartar that daily brushing cannot address.
Book regular professional hygiene appointments
Routine hygiene visits complement your home care and help maintain the results of any previous treatment.
Book routine dental check-ups at our South Kensington practice to help maintain healthy gums and catch early signs of gum disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
About gum disease and periodontal health
Book a Gum Health Assessment in South Kensington
If you are concerned about bleeding, swollen or receding gums, our experienced dental team can provide careful periodontal assessment and discuss an appropriate hygiene plan.
Open Monday–Sunday • 2 mins from South Kensington tube
Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
Registered. Regulated. Trusted.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, we are fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.
