Gum disease

Gum disease starts quietly, often with gums that bleed when you brush, and it is the most common reason adults lose teeth. Caught early, it is treatable with cleanings and better home care. Read about gum disease treatments, preventive dentistry and cosmetic gum lifts. Warning signs include gums that are red, swollen or tender, bad breath that does not go away, gums pulling back from the teeth, and teeth that feel loose or have moved. Early gum disease, gingivitis, can be reversed with a professional cleaning and better brushing and flossing. Once the bone around the teeth is affected, treatment aims to stop it getting worse: a deep cleaning below the gum line, more frequent cleanings, and laser treatment of the gum where it helps. The articles here explain each stage, the link between gum health and the rest of the body, and what you can do at home between visits. If your gums bleed when you brush, book a visit rather than brushing more gently: bleeding is usually the first sign of inflammation, not of brushing too hard.