Typically, healthy gums don’t hurt and healthy gums don’t bleed. Bleeding gums could very well be an early sign of gum disease.

Red or swollen gums can be caused by plaque buildup between your teeth and gums and are a symptom of gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
It’s important to act quickly.

Not only can bad breath be embarrassing, it can also be a sign of gum disease. The buildup of food and dental bacterial plaque on the teeth and tongue can irritate gums and lead to bad breath.

If left untreated, gum disease can cause gum recession and tooth loss. At this point, brushing alone will not treat the condition. The damage is irreversible and will require treatment from your dentist.

When gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the gum support of your teeth can be weakened by plaque buildup hardening and turning into tartar.