Gingivitis: symptoms, treatment and how to prevent it

The NHS says how gum disease is treated depends on how severe it is. In the early stages your dentist will check your teeth and gums and will give you advice about keeping your teeth clean, such as using interdental brushes, advise you to stop smoking if you smoke, and advise you to get your teeth cleaned by a hygienist.

The Oral Health Foundation says your dentist or dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove plaque and hardened plaque (tartar), show you the best way to clean your teeth and gums at home and recommend the right tools. You may need several appointments, especially if gum disease is more advanced. When caught early, it says gum disease can be reversed.

If gum disease is serious, the NHS says you may need deep cleaning under your gums, antibiotics, some teeth removed or gum surgery.

NHS inform says the initial symptoms of gum disease can include red and swollen gums, bleeding gums after brushing or flossing, bad breath (halitosis) and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Healthy gums should be pink, firm and firmly attached around your teeth, and should not bleed when you touch or brush them.

The NHS adds that gums may become sore, and may bleed when you eat hard foods such as apples. NHS inform stresses that gum disease is not always painful and you may be unaware you have it, which is why regular dental check-ups matter.

NHS inform says gingivitis means your gums are inflamed. It is reversible and does not damage the bone holding your teeth in place, and it is important to control the inflammation at this early stage. If untreated, the inflammation can spread to the bone that holds your teeth. This is called periodontitis. NHS inform says periodontitis is not reversible but can be controlled and stopped with treatment.

NHS inform says gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Some bacteria are harmless but some are harmful for your gums. If you do not remove plaque by brushing, it builds up and irritates your gums, leading to redness with bleeding, swelling and soreness.

Some people are more likely to get gum disease. NHS inform says you may be at higher risk if you smoke, have diabetes, or someone in your family has lost teeth because of gum disease.

The NHS lists what you can do yourself. NHS inform recommends brushing your teeth and gums twice a day for 2 minutes at a time. The Oral Health Foundation says that when gingivitis is caught early it can be reversed with good daily cleaning and advice from your dental team.

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, and spit after brushing without rinsing.

• Clean in between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes.

• See a dentist and dental hygienist for regular check-ups, especially if you are pregnant or have type 2 diabetes.

• Do not use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth.

• Do not smoke.

The NHS says to see a dentist if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or eat hard foods, your gums are painful and swollen, you have bad breath, or your child has sore, bleeding gums.

It says to ask for an urgent dentist appointment if you or your child have gum disease and other symptoms such as very sore and swollen gums, teeth becoming loose or falling out, ulcers or red patches in the mouth, or a lump in the mouth or on the lip. To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours, the NHS says to call your dentist, and if you cannot get an emergency appointment, to call 111.

The NHS says check-ups and treatment from a dentist are free when you are pregnant and for 1 year after you give birth, and that you should ask your midwife or GP about the maternity exemption (MATEX) certificate. It also says NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 (or under 19 and in full-time education) and for some people on certain benefits, including Income Support or Universal Credit.

The NHS adds that you should have regular check-ups even if you have no problems, and see a dentist if you have not had a check-up for 2 years (or 1 year if you are under 18).

NHS inform says untreated gum disease that develops into periodontitis can lead to gum abscesses (painful collections of pus), receding gums, loose teeth and loss of teeth, and describes gum disease as one of the main reasons adults lose teeth, but also as preventable. The NHS also lists bad breath, shrinking gums and a dental abscess as possible consequences of gum disease.

Gum disease is assessed and treated by dental teams, either under NHS dental charges or privately. The NHS says you will usually have to pay for treatment if you do not qualify for free dental care, and that a dentist may refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatment if needed.

The care itself, such as cleaning, advice on home care and hygienist treatment, is similar either way. Ask what is included in any price and how often you will be reviewed.