About Gum Disease
Gum disease is where the gums become red, swollen, sore, and start to bleed. It's very common, but it's important to get it checked by a dentist rather than leaving it untreated.
Symptoms
Symptoms include gums bleeding when you brush your teeth, floss, or eat hard foods such as apples, and gums becoming swollen, red and sore. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth, gums shrinking back, teeth becoming loose or falling out, and a dental abscess.
When to See a Dentist
See a dentist if your gums bleed when brushing or eating hard foods, are painful and swollen, or if you have bad breath, or your child has sore, bleeding gums.
Free Dental Care in Pregnancy
Dental check-ups and treatment are free while you're pregnant and for a year after giving birth — ask your midwife or GP about a maternity exemption certificate, which also gives you free NHS prescriptions.
It's also worth having regular dental check-ups even without any problems — see a dentist if it's been more than 2 years since your last check-up (or 1 year if you're under 18).
