Gloss & Floss Answers · Oral Health & Prevention

What is gum disease?

Author: Gloss & Floss Dental Care® · Clinically reviewed by a dentist at Gloss & Floss Dental Care®

Short answer

Gum disease is inflammation or infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It often starts as gingivitis, where the gums become red, swollen or bleed easily. If inflammation spreads deeper, it can become periodontitis, where gum pockets, bone loss and tooth support may be affected. Early gum disease is often manageable, but advanced gum disease needs professional diagnosis, treatment and long-term maintenance.

Why gum disease matters

Gum disease can develop slowly and may not cause strong pain at first. Many patients notice bleeding when brushing, bad breath, gum swelling or tartar before they realise that the supporting tissues around the teeth are inflamed.

The main risk is that untreated gum disease can progress from surface inflammation to deeper support loss. When bone and attachment around the teeth are affected, teeth may become loose, shift position or eventually be lost. Early assessment makes prevention and treatment more predictable.

Gingivitis vs periodontitis

Condition	What it means	Why it matters
Gingivitis	Inflammation of the gum, usually caused by plaque and tartar around the gumline.	Often reversible with professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene.
Periodontitis	Deeper gum disease where the supporting tissues and bone around teeth are affected.	Can lead to gum pockets, bone loss, recession, loose teeth and tooth loss if untreated.
Stable periodontal condition	Gum disease has been treated and inflammation is controlled, but risk remains.	Needs maintenance because previous attachment loss cannot always be fully reversed.
Active periodontal disease	Ongoing inflammation, bleeding, pocket progression or bone-support changes are present.	Needs diagnosis, treatment and follow-up to reduce further damage.

Common signs of gum disease

Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Red, swollen or tender gums
Bad breath or bad taste that keeps returning
Tartar build-up near the gumline
Gum recession or teeth looking longer
Food trapping between teeth
Deep gum pockets found during examination
Loose teeth or teeth that feel less stable
Teeth shifting position or gaps opening
Pus, swelling or recurring gum abscesses
Changes in the bite or how teeth meet

What causes gum disease?

The most common cause is plaque, a bacterial biofilm that forms on the teeth every day. If plaque is not removed thoroughly, it can irritate the gums and harden into tartar. Tartar creates rough areas where more bacteria can collect and makes gum inflammation harder to control at home.

Gum disease is not only about brushing. Some patients are more vulnerable because of smoking, diabetes, dry mouth, genetic susceptibility, medication, stress, immune factors, crowded teeth, poorly fitting restorations or a history of periodontal disease.

What affects gum-disease risk?

Plaque and tartar levels
How well you clean between the teeth
Smoking or nicotine use
Diabetes and blood-sugar control
Dry mouth or reduced saliva flow
Pregnancy or hormonal changes
Medication that affects gums, saliva or bleeding
Crowded teeth or difficult-to-clean areas
Old fillings, crowns or bridges with plaque-retentive margins
Dental implants, fixed retainers or prosthetic work needing special cleaning
Previous history of gum disease
How regularly professional maintenance is performed

How gum disease is diagnosed

A dentist or dental hygienist diagnoses gum disease by examining the gums and measuring how the supporting tissues respond. This may include checking bleeding points, plaque, tartar, gum pocket depths, recession, tooth mobility, bite changes and X-rays when bone support needs assessment.

Patients sometimes feel that the gums are “only bleeding a little,” but bleeding during probing or brushing can be an important sign. The diagnosis depends on the full pattern, not on one symptom alone.

What happens at Gloss & Floss?

At Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm, Stockholm, gum disease is assessed by checking the gumline, pocket depths, bleeding, tartar, plaque control, recession, tooth mobility, bite forces and relevant medical history. X-rays may be recommended if deeper periodontal disease or bone loss is suspected.

Care may include dental hygienist treatment, tartar removal, professional biofilm control, personalised interdental cleaning advice, follow-up pocket checks and periodontal maintenance. If gum disease is advanced, more focused periodontal care or gum surgery assessment may be discussed. For English-speaking patients, we explain terms such as gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontal pockets, recession, bone loss and maintenance in clear English.

Can gum disease be treated?

Gingivitis can often improve significantly when plaque and tartar are removed and daily cleaning becomes effective. Periodontitis can also be treated and stabilised, but bone and attachment already lost may not fully return. The goal is to stop or slow progression, reduce inflammation and protect tooth support.

Long-term success depends on both professional treatment and home care. Gum disease is often managed as a long-term condition, especially for patients who already have deep pockets, bone loss or previous periodontal problems.

How to reduce the risk at home

Brush twice daily with careful technique at the gumline
Clean between teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes
Use the correct interdental brush size recommended by your dental team
Do not stop cleaning because gums bleed mildly
Book professional tartar removal when deposits are present
Avoid smoking or reduce nicotine-related gum risk when possible
Manage dry mouth, diabetes or other medical risk factors
Keep crowns, bridges, implants and retainers under regular maintenance
Attend follow-up visits if gum pockets or bone loss have been found
Seek care early if bleeding, swelling, bad taste or looseness appears

When should you seek care?

Book a dental or dental hygienist assessment if your gums bleed repeatedly, feel swollen, look red, smell bad, feel tender, recede, form pockets, trap food or if teeth feel loose or have shifted. Seek care sooner if there is pus, gum abscess, increasing swelling, fever, pain when chewing or a sudden change in your bite.

Frequently asked questions

Is gum disease the same as gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an early form of gum inflammation. Gum disease can also refer to periodontitis, which is deeper disease affecting the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth.

Can gum disease be reversed?

Gingivitis is often reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Periodontitis can often be stabilised, but lost bone and attachment may not fully return.

Does gum disease always hurt?

No. Gum disease can progress with little or no pain, especially in the early stages. Bleeding, bad breath, tartar, recession or loose teeth may be more noticeable than pain.

Can gum disease cause tooth loss?

Yes. Advanced periodontitis can reduce the bone and tissue support around teeth. If support becomes too weak, teeth may loosen and can eventually be lost.

Can bad breath be a sign of gum disease?

Yes. Persistent bad breath can be linked to plaque, tartar, gum pockets, gum inflammation or periodontal disease, especially when combined with bleeding or bad taste.

How often should gum disease be checked?

The interval depends on your gum condition, pocket depths, bleeding, tartar build-up, medical risks, smoking status and previous periodontal history. Your dentist or hygienist should recommend an individual maintenance plan.

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Disclaimer

This article provides general information from Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Stockholm. It does not replace an individual periodontal examination, pocket-depth measurement, X-ray review, diagnosis, dental hygienist treatment, medical-history review or personalised gum-disease maintenance plan.

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