18 July 2026 · 5 min read
Healthy gums do not bleed
If your hands bled every time you washed them you would see a doctor. Gums are no different. Bleeding means the gum margin is inflamed, almost always because a film of plaque has been sitting undisturbed at the gum line long enough to provoke an immune response.
Gingivitis is reversible — periodontitis is not
At the gingivitis stage only the soft tissue is inflamed, and thorough cleaning plus improved home care resolves it within two weeks. If it is ignored, the inflammation spreads to the bone that holds the teeth. That bone loss is permanent, and it is the leading cause of tooth loss in Sri Lankan adults over forty.
What to do this week
Brush for two minutes twice a day with a soft brush angled into the gum line, and clean between the teeth daily with floss or an interdental brush. Expect a little more bleeding for the first few days — it settles as the inflammation resolves. If it is still bleeding after two weeks, you have hardened calculus that needs professional scaling.
Why it matters beyond your mouth
Gum disease is associated with poorer control of diabetes and with cardiovascular disease. Treating your gums is part of looking after your general health, not simply cosmetic maintenance.