Top Warning Signs of Gum Disease You Shouldn’t Ignore

16 Oct 2025

Having bleeding gums, bad breath that doesn’t go away, or a consistent metallic taste in your mouth might not seem like a big deal initially – but these can be early signs of gum disease, which is one of the biggest oral health problems in the UK. If left untreated, gum disease can destroy teeth and even impact your general health.

At South Kensington MD, we see many patients who are only in when their symptoms get worse, and they had no idea that if they had sought early treatment they could have saved themselves pain, massive treatment expenses and complications. Knowing the early warning signs and acting promptly is the best way to maintain a healthy smile.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused by infection and inflammation of the gum tissue due to bacteria in plaque – the sticky film that accumulates on your teeth. Gum disease progresses in two stages:

1. Gingivitis

This can be referred to as the earliest and milder stage of gum disease. The gums may appear swollen, red or bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis can be reversed with proper oral hygiene habits and professional cleaning.

2. Periodontitis

When left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a much more severe condition in which plaque builds up below the gumline, where it can destroy the bone and surrounding tissue supporting the tooth. Eventually, teeth can become mobile or lost.

According to the NHS, most adults in the UK will experience some form of gum disease at some point in their lives. But the good side is that gum disease is something that can be prevented or managed when caught and treated early.

Early Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Identifying gum disease early can significantly slow or prevent its progression. Here are the most prevalent signs and symptoms you should never dismiss:

1. Bleeding Gums

Healthy gums should never bleed when brushing or flossing. If your gums do bleed, this is generally the first symptom that you may have gingivitis. Bleeding occurs because plaque bacteria cause gum tissue irritation and inflammation.

2. Red, Swollen or Painful Gums

Inflamed gums that are painful or appear puffy are another obvious sign of infection. The inflammation and pain can certainly worsen when regular cleaning fails to remove the plaque bacteria.

3. Persistent Bad Breath (Halitosis)

If your breath regularly smells bad even after brushing, bacteria trapped below the gumline may be causing the odour.

4. Gum Recession

If your teeth look longer or if you can see the gumline receding, this is known as gum recession – an indicator of later-stage gum disease.

5. Teeth That Are Loose or Shifting

As the infection advances, the bone that supports your teeth begins to erode. You might feel that your teeth are loose or affected in their positioning.

6. Pus in Between Gums and Teeth

In severe cases, infection can cause an abscess, a collection of pus that requires immediate dental attention. If this happens, you need to seek the advice of a dentist immediately to save your teeth from further deterioration.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Plaque is the leading cause, yet there are some contributory factors that heighten your risk of developing gum disease.

• Poor oral hygiene: Irregular brushing or flossing can promote plaque build-up around your gums and teeth.
• Smoking: One of the most common risk factors –smokers have a much higher risk of gum disease.
• Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, menopause and some contraceptive pills can increase gum sensitivity.
• Medical conditions: If you are battling with diabetes or have another immune disorder, you will be more at risk.
• Stress: Stress weakens the immune response to bacterial invasion in the mouth.
• Genetics: Some people are predisposed to gum disease due to their genetic composition.

Your lifestyle and duration of dental visits continue to play a large role in inhibiting disease.

Relationship between Gum Health and Overall Health

The influence of oral health on overall health is sometimes taken too lightly. Researchers have correlated gum disease with multiple systemic conditions, including:

• Heart Disease: Inflammation due to gum infection leads to plaque build-up in arterial walls.
• Diabetes: Gum disease can make controlling blood sugar more challenging, while diabetes can make gum disease worse.
• Respiratory Illness: Bacteria from infected gums can be carried to the lungs and cause respiratory illness.
• Pregnancy: Gum disease that isn’t treated has been correlated with premature birth and low birth weight.

Having healthy gums is about more than a pretty smile; it is important for your long-term health.

How is Gum Disease Diagnosed?

If you see your dentist regularly, most of the time they can recognise early signs of gum disease during a routine examination. During this time, your dentist or dental hygienist will:

• Measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth (a process called periodontal probing) to assess the health of your gums.
• They will also check for swelling or bleeding and may take an X-ray to assess bone loss.
• Lastly, if you have experienced any bad breath or bleeding, they will discuss it with you.

At South Kensington MD, our dental professionals utilise gentle, accurate diagnostic methods to detect gum disease early on, many times before your gum health undergoes irreversible damage.

Management Options for Gum Disease

The treatment you receive is related to the stage of the disease.

1. Professional Dental Cleaning (Scale and Polish)

A professional cleaning is often sufficient treatment for reversing symptoms of mild gingivitis. Your hygienist will remove tartar and plaque build-up, both above and beneath the gumline. This results in a decrease in inflammation and allows you to heal.

2. Deep Cleaning (Root Planing)

When the disease is more advanced, we would provide a deep cleaning to smooth out the root surfaces to allow reattachment and healing of the gum tissue. Local anaesthesia may be provided for comfort.

3. Antibiotic Therapy

Infections may need either oral or topical antibiotics to control the bacteria.

4. Surgical Treatments

Advanced periodontitis may require surgical procedures such as gum surgery, bone grafting or pocket reduction to restore healthy supporting structures.

The most important aspect of treatment is early intervention; the longer you wait, the more complex treatment can become.

How Your Regular Hygiene Appointments Help Prevent Gum Disease

Routine hygiene appointments are one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent gum disease. During your hygiene appointment, the hygienist will remove plaque and look for signs of inflammation and will furnish you with recommendations to support your daily, individualised care.

At-Home Tips to Maintain Healthy Gums

You can prevent gum disease by keeping up with your oral hygiene routine at home:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss once a day or use interdental brushes.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash if recommended by your dentist or hygienist.
• Consume a well-balanced diet including vitamins C and D.
• Avoid vaping and smoking, which impact gum healing.
• Replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months.

Professional cleanings are crucial even if you care for your gums properly at home. Home brushing cannot possibly reach some of the plaque deposits that dental professionals can easily remove.

When to See a Dentist

You should book a dental appointment right away if you observe signs like:

• Bleeding gums regularly
• Consistent bad breath
• Pain while chewing
• Receding gums or teeth appearing longer
• Loose teeth or formation of gaps

These symptoms can progress quickly, so treatment should be sought as soon as possible.

Gum Health Care at South Kensington MD

At South Kensington MD, we are trained in the prevention of dental disease and gum health. Our expert hygienists and dentists offer wonderful cleaning sessions that are thorough and gentle in caring for your gums, as well as treatment for gum disease, along with developing a specific oral care plan for each patient.

Whether you require general dental hygiene or complex periodontal treatment, our team is here to keep your gums healthy and your smile confident.

We believe it’s always better to prevent and identify issues early — regular dental check-ups help detect problems before they progress.

Final Thoughts

Gum disease usually develops slowly and silently, but the damage that can be done might be permanent. Spotting the early warning signs, such as swelling, persistent bad breath or bleeding gums — and acting early can prevent complications, help manage gum disease, and allow you to retain your natural teeth for life.

Routine dental cleanings, proper home care, and regularly scheduled dental visits are the important building blocks of lifelong oral health.

Book Your Hygiene Appointment Today

If you notice any signs of gum disease or you just want to keep your smile looking its best, it’s time to schedule a professional dental hygiene session with one of our professional hygienists at South Kensington MD.