❤️ Oral Health Tools

Gum Disease Risk Checker

Answer 10 questions about your gums, habits, and health to get a personalised gum disease risk level with targeted prevention advice and guidance on when to see a periodontist.

10 Questions 3 Risk Levels Prevention Advice Referral Guidance
Gum Disease Risk Checker
Answer all questions for the most accurate result
Gum Symptoms & Habits
How often do your gums bleed when you brush or floss?
Do your gums look swollen, red, or puffy (especially near the gum line)?
Have your gums receded - do teeth look longer than they used to?
Do any teeth feel loose or have they shifted position?
Loose teeth in adults are a late-stage sign of bone loss
Do you have persistent bad breath that doesn't go away after brushing?
What is your smoking status?
Smoking is the single biggest modifiable risk factor for gum disease
Do you have diabetes?
Poorly controlled diabetes and gum disease have a two-way relationship
Does gum disease or early tooth loss run in your family?
How often do you floss or use interdental brushes?
When did you last have a professional dental clean?

❤️ Gum Disease Risk Results

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Risk Score
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Out of 65
Risk Level
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Periodontal risk
Recommended Action
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Next step
Prevention & Treatment Advice
Disclaimer: This tool provides general risk guidance only. A definitive diagnosis of periodontal disease requires clinical examination, probing, and radiographs by a qualified dental professional. If you have concerns about your gum health, book a dental appointment.

What gum disease actually is

Gum disease progresses in two stages. Gingivitis is the reversible first stage: gums bleed, look red, and feel swollen but the underlying bone is intact. With consistent brushing, flossing, and a professional clean, gingivitis reverses completely. Most adults have it at some point. Periodontitis is the irreversible second stage: bone supporting the teeth is destroyed, creating pockets where bacteria multiply, the gum recedes, and teeth eventually loosen. That bone loss is permanent.

The critical window is catching things at the gingivitis stage. Bleeding gums that are treated at 6 months don't become bone loss at 5 years. That's the entire point of regular check-ups. Use our 2-minute Brushing Timer to ensure you're cleaning thoroughly, and our Appointment Checklist to get the most from your next visit.

For clinicians using this alongside the professional risk assessment, the Periodontal Risk Assessment (Lang & Tonetti PRA) gives the validated 6-parameter clinical scoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bleeding on brushing is almost always a sign of gingivitis - gum inflammation from plaque. It's the body's way of flagging that bacteria are irritating the gum tissue. The common misconception is that you should stop brushing the bleeding area - that makes it worse. Brush carefully but thoroughly through the bleeding and floss daily for 2 weeks. If it doesn't stop, see your dentist. Rarely, bleeding gums signal something systemic: blood thinners, vitamin C deficiency, or leukaemia. Any unexplained spontaneous gum bleeding without obvious cause warrants medical review.
Gingivitis: yes, completely reversible. Periodontitis: no cure, but it can be arrested. Treatment stops the disease from progressing further but doesn't regenerate lost bone in most cases. Patients who complete scaling and root planing, then maintain 3-monthly supportive periodontal therapy and excellent home care, keep their teeth for life. The ones who don't, lose them steadily. The choice is straightforward once you understand the mechanism.

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