Gum disease, or periodontal disease, develops when bacteria build up between the teeth and gums. It causes infection and inflammation and, if left untreated, eventually tooth loss. The difficult part is that symptoms often do not appear until the disease has progressed, which is why regular checkups matter so much.

How gum disease progresses

It moves through stages, and how far it has gone determines what can be done about it.

Gingivitis is the early stage. Gums are inflamed, red and bleed easily, but the bone holding the teeth is untouched. Gingivitis is reversible. Professional cleaning plus better daily habits usually resolves it completely.

Periodontitis is what gingivitis becomes if it is not treated. Inflammation spreads below the gumline and begins destroying the bone anchoring the teeth. Pockets form between tooth and gum where bacteria collect out of reach of a toothbrush. Bone lost at this stage does not grow back on its own, so treatment aims to halt progression and keep what remains.

Advanced periodontitis involves substantial bone loss. Teeth loosen, shift position, and may eventually need removing.

That progression is the reason we check your gums at every visit rather than only when something hurts.

Know the signs

Contact us for an exam if you notice:

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Gums pulling away from the teeth, making them look longer
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
• Loose teeth, or teeth that seem to have moved
• A change in how your teeth meet when you bite

Bleeding when you brush is the one most often dismissed. Healthy gums do not bleed. It is worth an appointment rather than a wait-and-see.

What raises your risk

Smoking is the single largest controllable risk factor, and it also masks the warning signs by reducing bleeding. Diabetes works in both directions: poorly controlled blood sugar worsens gum disease, and gum infection makes blood sugar harder to control. Genetics, pregnancy, certain medications that reduce saliva, and a weakened immune system all play a part. If any of these apply to you, tell us, because it changes how often you should be seen.

Treatment and ongoing care

At Nest Dental Clinic we clean thoroughly at every visit, removing hardened plaque and checking for early signs of gum disease. If we find anything, we can start treatment straight away, often preventing the condition from advancing or reversing it at the early stage.

Periodontal disease is managed rather than cured once bone has been lost. Patients who have been treated are usually seen more frequently than every six months, because the pockets that formed are easier for bacteria to recolonise. Keeping to that schedule is what protects the result.