Last updated: June 2026. Written and reviewed by the Dentists Closeby editorial team. Information sourced from NHS.uk, NHS inform Scotland, NHS 111 Wales, GOV.UK, NHSBSA, GOV.WALES, nidirect, the British Society of Periodontology, and peer-reviewed research. NHS dental charges confirmed from 1 April 2026.
TL;DR Gum disease is inflammation of the gums and the structures holding your teeth in place. Its early stage, gingivitis, is reversible with good cleaning; the advanced stage, periodontitis, causes permanent damage that can be controlled but not undone. The NHS treats it from £27.90, and acting early protects your teeth.
Gum disease is one of the most common health conditions in the UK, and most people have some degree of it without realising. The reassuring news is that it is largely preventable, and the earliest stage can be fully reversed. This guide explains how to recognise gum disease, what causes it, how it is treated on the NHS and privately, what treatment costs across the four UK nations, and when you should see a dentist.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, known clinically as periodontal disease, is a condition where the gums become red, swollen and sore, and bleed [1]. It develops when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up on the teeth and triggers inflammation in the surrounding tissues [1][3]. Left to progress, that inflammation can spread from the gums to the bone that anchors the teeth.
There are two main stages, and the difference between them matters enormously for your long-term oral health. The first stage is reversible. The second is not.
Gingivitis: the reversible early stage
Gingivitis is the early, mild form of gum disease, where inflammation is contained within the gum tissue itself. The gums look red and puffy and tend to bleed when you brush. Crucially, gingivitis is reversible and does not damage the bone holding your teeth in place [2]. With good plaque control and a professional clean, the gums can return to full health.
Periodontitis: the irreversible advanced stage
Periodontitis is advanced gum disease, where inflammation has spread to the bone and the fibres that attach the teeth to it. It is defined by irreversible loss of the tooth's attachment to the bone [3]. Periodontitis is not reversible, but it can be controlled and stopped with treatment [2]. The bone already lost cannot usually be regrown, which is why catching the disease early is so important.
Gingivitis vs periodontitis at a glance
| Feature | Gingivitis | Periodontitis |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Early, mild | Advanced |
| What is affected | Gums only | Gums, bone and tooth attachment |
| Reversible? | Yes, fully [2] | No, but can be controlled [2] |
| Typical signs | Red, swollen, bleeding gums | Receding gums, loose teeth, abscesses |
| Bone loss | None | Permanent |
| NHS treatment | Scale and polish (Band 1) | Deep cleaning and beyond (Band 2) |
How Common Is Gum Disease in the UK?
Gum disease is one of the most widespread health conditions in the country. The 2023 Adult Oral Health Survey for England, published in December 2025, found that 93% of adults with some natural teeth had at least one sign of periodontal disease, and only 7% had completely healthy gums [4]. Around 28% had moderate gum pockets and 12% had severe pocketing, a marker of advanced periodontitis [4]. These figures use a broad definition that includes mild signs, so they capture early as well as serious disease.
The GOV.UK Delivering Better Oral Health toolkit states that almost half of UK adults have some level of irreversible periodontitis [3]. Modelling published in 2023 estimated that around 25.75 million UK adults had gum pockets in 2020, a number projected to rise as the population ages [5].
Despite how common it is, awareness is low. A 2023 study at a UK dental hospital found that fewer than one in five patients knew that gum disease was linked to other health conditions [16]. That gap matters, because gum disease is often painless until it is advanced.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Recognising gum disease early gives you the best chance of reversing it before permanent damage occurs. The symptoms differ depending on how far the disease has progressed.
Early signs (gingivitis)
The earliest warning signs of gum disease affect the gums alone:
- Gums that bleed when you brush, floss or eat hard foods
- Red, swollen or sore gums (healthy gums are pale pink and firm)
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth [1][2]
Bleeding gums are the single most common early sign, and they are not normal. If your gums bleed regularly, our guide on bleeding gums when brushing explains what to do.
Advanced signs (periodontitis)
As gum disease progresses to periodontitis, the damage to the supporting bone produces more serious signs:
- Gums that shrink back, making teeth look longer (see our guide to receding gums)
- Loose teeth, or teeth that have drifted out of position
- Gum abscesses (painful collections of pus)
- A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite [1][2]
Periodontitis is often painless in its early and middle stages, which means significant bone loss can occur without you noticing. This is why regular dental check-ups matter even when nothing hurts.
When to seek urgent help
See a dentist promptly if you have very sore or swollen gums, a loose tooth, or a mouth ulcer or lump that has not healed within three weeks [1]. A rare but severe form called acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) causes painful ulcers, bleeding, a bad taste and sometimes fever, and needs urgent dental treatment [17].
What Causes Gum Disease?
The primary cause of gum disease is dental plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth [1][3]. When plaque is not removed by thorough brushing and cleaning between the teeth, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus) and inflames the gum line.
Several factors increase your risk of developing gum disease:
- Smoking and other tobacco use, a major and well-evidenced risk factor that also masks bleeding and slows healing [3]
- Diabetes, which has a two-way relationship with gum disease (covered below) [3]
- Some medicines that cause a dry mouth or gum overgrowth, such as certain blood pressure tablets [3]
- A previous history of periodontitis [3]
- A family history of gum disease, which suggests an inherited susceptibility [2]
- Hormonal changes, including during pregnancy [17]
The GOV.UK toolkit notes that for some commonly cited factors, including stress, diet and being overweight, the evidence for a clear link is currently insufficient, so they are best treated with caution rather than as proven causes [3].
How Gum Disease Is Diagnosed
Your dentist screens for gum disease at routine check-ups using the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) [15]. A small probe is gently walked around the teeth to measure the depth of the gum pockets and check for bleeding, with the mouth divided into six sections and each given a score from 0 to 4 [15].
| BPE score | What it means | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Healthy gums | Maintain routine care |
| 1 | Bleeding on probing, no pockets | Oral hygiene advice |
| 2 | Plaque traps or tartar present | Scale and polish |
| 3 | Moderate pockets (3.5 to 5.5mm) | Detailed assessment, deep cleaning |
| 4 | Deep pockets (over 5.5mm) | Detailed assessment, may need referral |
The BPE is a screening tool, not a full diagnosis on its own. Scores of 3 or 4 prompt a more detailed assessment, including a full pocket chart and sometimes X-rays to measure bone loss [15][3].
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease, and the core treatments are all available on the NHS (National Health Service).
Treating gingivitis
For early gum disease, treatment is straightforward. Your dentist or hygienist removes built-up plaque and tartar with a professional scale and polish, and shows you how to keep the area clean at home [12]. With good daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, gingivitis usually resolves within a few weeks. Learning to floss and use interdental brushes properly is the single most effective thing you can do at home.
Treating periodontitis
Periodontitis needs deeper treatment, usually called root surface debridement or root planing. This removes plaque and tartar from the tooth roots below the gum line, often over more than one appointment, and may be done under local anaesthetic [12]. Antibiotics are sometimes used as an add-on, and the most advanced cases may be referred to a specialist (a periodontist) for gum surgery [12].
After treatment, your dentist will usually reassess your gums after about 8 to 12 weeks to see how they have responded. Because periodontitis cannot be cured, anyone who has had it needs ongoing supportive care, typically a maintenance clean every few months, to keep the disease stable for life [3].
What the NHS covers
All non-surgical and surgical periodontal treatment, including root planing and deep scaling, is available on the NHS [6]. Access to a specialist periodontist can be more limited on the NHS, and some patients choose to see one privately for complex cases.
How Much Does Gum Disease Treatment Cost?
One of the biggest worries patients have is cost. NHS treatment is heavily subsidised, and charges differ across the four UK nations.
England
England uses a banded charging system, with charges set from 1 April 2026 [7]. A routine scale and polish falls under Band 1, while all active gum disease treatment, including root planing and gum surgery, falls under Band 2, no matter how many appointments it takes [6].
| Treatment | NHS band | Cost (from April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and scale and polish | Band 1 | £27.90 |
| Full gum treatment (root planing, deep cleaning, gum surgery) | Band 2 | £76.60 |
| Crowns, dentures, bridges (not gum-specific) | Band 3 | £332.10 |
You only ever pay one band charge per course of treatment, the highest that applies [7]. So a full course of deep cleaning across several visits still costs a single £76.60 in England. To understand which band any treatment falls under, see our NHS dental charges guide.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The other UK nations charge differently:
| Nation | How charges work | Gum treatment cost | Maximum charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | Care-package model (new NHS contract from April 2026) | Periodontal care package £48.53 | £384 per course [8] |
| Scotland | You pay 80% of the cost; examinations are free | Deep cleaning course £35.52 to £142.08 | £384 per course [9] |
| Northern Ireland | You pay 80% of the cost | Set in the annual Statement of Dental Remuneration | £384 per course [10] |
In Wales, a reformed NHS dental contract introduced in April 2026 means you pay for a care package based on your needs rather than a fixed band, and the Welsh Government says around half of the population is exempt from charges [8]. In Scotland, everyone under 26 receives free NHS dental treatment [9].
Private costs
Private gum treatment costs considerably more than the NHS, and prices vary by practice and region, with London charging the most. As an indication, private hygienist cleaning typically costs £50 to £150 a session, root planing £65 to £400 per quadrant, and gum surgery £500 to £1,200 per area. A full private periodontal course can run from around £1,000 to £3,000 or more. For a detailed breakdown, see our gum disease treatment cost guide.
Who gets free NHS treatment?
You qualify for free NHS dental treatment across the UK if you are [11]:
- Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
- Pregnant, or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- Receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit (within the earnings thresholds)
If you are on a low income but do not receive a qualifying benefit, you can apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme using form HC1, which can provide an HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate [11]. Pregnant women get free treatment, which is one good reason to keep up dental visits during pregnancy, as covered in our guide to dental care in pregnancy.
Gum Disease and Your General Health
Research increasingly links gum disease to wider health, though the strength of the evidence varies a great deal, and it is important not to overstate it.
The clearest link is with diabetes. The relationship runs both ways: people with diabetes are more prone to gum disease, and untreated gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control [13]. Treating periodontitis has been shown to produce a small but meaningful improvement in long-term blood sugar (HbA1c) in people with diabetes, and NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has reflected this in its diabetes guidance [13]. If you are diabetic, healthy gums are part of managing your condition, as explained in our guide to dental care for diabetics.
For heart and circulatory disease, studies have found an association with gum disease, but a direct cause-and-effect link has not been proven, and treating gum disease has not been shown to change heart outcomes [13]. The GOV.UK toolkit describes the cardiovascular evidence as still under debate, with no firm conclusions [3].
The picture in pregnancy calls for particular caution. Some observational studies have associated severe gum disease with outcomes such as premature birth, but a 2024 review of treatment trials found no significant effect from treating gum disease during pregnancy [14]. The sensible takeaway is to look after your gums for your own health, and to make use of free NHS dental care while pregnant, rather than expecting treatment to prevent pregnancy complications. Some studies have also explored links with respiratory conditions, but this evidence remains limited and is an active area of research [13].
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is largely preventable, and the steps are simple and mostly free [1][3]:
- Brush for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and spit rather than rinse so the fluoride keeps working
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes
- Do not smoke, as stopping significantly lowers your risk and helps treatment work
- Keep diabetes well managed if you have it
- See your dentist for check-ups as often as they recommend, and a hygienist for professional cleaning
Regular professional cleaning removes the hardened tartar that brushing alone cannot shift. How often you should go depends on your individual risk, as we explain in our guide on how often to visit the dentist.
When to See a Dentist
Book a dental appointment if your gums bleed regularly, look red or swollen, or if you notice bad breath that will not shift, receding gums or a loose tooth. Because early gum disease is reversible and often painless, the best time to act is before symptoms become severe. If you do not currently have a dentist, you can find a dentist near you on Dentists Closeby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be fully reversed and effectively cured with good oral hygiene and professional cleaning. Periodontitis, the advanced stage, cannot be cured because the bone loss is permanent, but it can be controlled and stopped from progressing with treatment and ongoing maintenance [2].
Is gum disease reversible?
It depends on the stage. Gingivitis is fully reversible with good plaque control and a professional clean, returning the gums to health. Periodontitis is not reversible, because the bone and attachment around the teeth are permanently lost, but treatment can halt its progress and keep it stable [2].
What does gum disease look like?
Early gum disease makes the gums look red, shiny and swollen rather than firm and pale pink, and they often bleed when brushed. Advanced gum disease shows as receding gums that make teeth look longer, gaps opening between teeth, loose teeth, and sometimes swelling or pus near a tooth [1][2].
Does the NHS treat gum disease?
Yes. All gum disease treatment is available on the NHS, including deep cleaning and root planing. In England a scale and polish is a Band 1 charge of £27.90, and all active gum treatment is a single Band 2 charge of £76.60, regardless of how many appointments are needed [6][7].
How long does it take to treat gum disease?
Gingivitis usually improves within a few weeks of better cleaning and a professional scale and polish. Periodontitis treatment takes longer: after deep cleaning, your dentist typically reassesses your gums after about 8 to 12 weeks, and you then need regular maintenance cleans for life to keep it stable [12][3].
Can you reverse gum disease at home?
You can reverse gingivitis at home with consistent, thorough cleaning: brushing twice daily and cleaning between your teeth every day. Professional cleaning still helps by removing hardened tartar you cannot shift yourself. Periodontitis cannot be reversed at home and needs professional treatment to stop it progressing [2][12].
Is gum disease contagious?
Gum disease is not contagious in the way a cold is. The bacteria involved can pass between people through saliva, for example by sharing utensils, but whether someone develops gum disease depends on their own susceptibility, oral hygiene and immune response rather than simply catching it [3].
What happens if gum disease is left untreated?
Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, where the bone supporting the teeth is gradually destroyed. Over time this causes teeth to loosen and eventually fall out, and gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Untreated disease can also raise the risk of painful gum abscesses [2].
Conclusion
Gum disease is common, often silent, and largely preventable. The key is to act early: gingivitis can be reversed completely, and even periodontitis can be controlled and stopped before it costs you your teeth. Good daily cleaning, not smoking, and regular dental visits are your best protection.
If your gums are bleeding or you are due a check-up, do not wait. Search for a dentist near you on Dentists Closeby and compare practices offering NHS and private care.
Sources
- Gum disease -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 20 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Gum disease -- NHS inform (Scotland), last updated 30 March 2026 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Delivering Better Oral Health: Chapter 5, Periodontal Diseases -- GOV.UK, updated 10 September 2025 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Adult Oral Health Survey 2023: Clinical oral health -- GOV.UK, published 17 December 2025 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Projecting the burden of dental caries and periodontal diseases in the UK -- PMC, published 7 September 2023 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Periodontal treatment band (KA-02041) -- NHSBSA (accessed 2026-06-01)
- How much will I pay for NHS dental treatment? -- NHS.uk, charges effective 1 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- NHS dental charges and exemptions -- GOV.WALES, last updated 1 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland -- NHS inform, last updated 7 January 2026 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Dental costs -- nidirect (Northern Ireland), accessed 2026-06-01
- Who can get free NHS dental treatment -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 11 February 2025 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Gum disease: treatment -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 20 April 2026 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases: EFP and WONCA Europe consensus -- PMC, published 21 March 2024 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Association between periodontal disease and preterm birth: a meta-analysis -- PMC, published 13 October 2024 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination) Guidelines 2019 -- British Society of Periodontology, 2019 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Patient-reported understanding and dentist-reported management of periodontal diseases -- PMC, published 28 July 2023 (accessed 2026-06-01)
- Gum disease -- NHS 111 Wales, last reviewed 18 February 2025 (accessed 2026-06-01)
