What Do Healthy Gums Look Like? Signs to Check in the Mirror

Healthy gums are firm, fit snugly around each tooth and come to a neat point in the small triangles between teeth. They are usually coral or pale pink, though in many people they are naturally darker or patchy brown because of skin pigment. They do not bleed when you brush or floss and do not feel sore. Gums that are red, swollen, shiny, tender, bleeding or pulling back from the teeth are worth showing to a dentist, even if nothing hurts.

A two-minute mirror check

1. Find good light. A bright bathroom light or daylight from a window works better than a dim mirror.
2. Lift the lips. Pull the upper lip up and the lower lip down so you can see the gums above and below the front teeth.
3. Look at colour and surface. Note whether the colour is even and whether the surface looks firm or puffy and shiny.
4. Check the shape. Look at the little triangles of gum between the teeth. Are they pointed and tight, or rounded and swollen?
5. Follow the gumline. Does it sit at a similar height on neighbouring teeth, or do some teeth look longer than others?
6. Notice what happens after cleaning. A trace of pink in the basin after brushing or flossing is a sign worth acting on.

Healthy and unhealthy gums compared

Feature	Usually healthy	Worth a dental check
Colour	Even pink, or naturally darker and consistent for you	Bright red, purplish, or a new patch of white or dark colour
Texture	Firm, sometimes with a fine dimpled surface like orange peel	Soft, puffy, smooth and shiny
Shape	Tight points between teeth, thin edge against each tooth	Rounded, swollen edges or gaps opening between teeth
Bleeding	None with normal brushing	Bleeds when brushing, flossing or eating
Gumline	Covers the roots evenly	Teeth look longer, roots visible, notches near the gum
Comfort	No soreness	Tender, throbbing, or a bad taste that keeps returning

Colour varies from person to person

Gum colour depends partly on the same pigment that colours skin. Darker or speckled gums are completely normal for many people and are no sign of disease. What matters is change: a patch that is new, a white or red area that does not go away, or a sore that has not healed within a few weeks should be looked at by a dentist or doctor.

From irritation to gum disease

The early stage of gum trouble is gingivitis, inflammation caused mostly by plaque left along the gumline. It is common and, with better cleaning and professional help, usually reversible. Our guide on how to stop bleeding gums when you brush walks through a gentle routine for this stage.

If inflammation continues, it can develop into periodontitis. The gums begin to separate from the teeth, forming small pockets where bacteria collect, and the supporting bone can slowly be lost. Teeth may eventually feel loose or shift. This stage cannot be fully undone, but treatment can often keep it stable, which is why early checks matter. Hardened deposits play a big part; see our article on plaque and tartar for how they form.

When gums start to recede

Receding gums pull back from the tooth and expose part of the root. You may notice teeth looking longer, a small notch near the gumline, or a twinge of sensitivity to cold. Common contributors include:

• Brushing too hard, especially with a stiff brush
• Gum disease
• Clenching or grinding
• Naturally thin gum tissue, often over the canines; see what eye teeth are
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Lip or tongue piercings that rub against the gum

Gum that has receded does not grow back by itself. A dentist may suggest monitoring, a softer technique, sensitivity treatment or, in some cases, a referral to discuss a gum graft.

Habits that keep gums in good shape

• Use a soft or medium brush and small, gentle movements angled towards the gumline
• Clean between the teeth every day
• Avoid tobacco in any form
• Drink water through the day if your mouth tends to feel dry
• Keep up regular check-ups and cleans at the interval your dental team suggests

Questions readers ask

Can unhealthy gums become healthy again?

Gingivitis often settles once plaque is controlled well and any tartar is removed. Periodontitis needs ongoing care, but many people keep their teeth for life with good home cleaning and professional support.

Do gums change during pregnancy?

Yes. Hormonal changes can make gums more prone to swelling and bleeding during pregnancy. Keep up gentle cleaning and tell your dentist you are pregnant.

Should healthy gums ever hurt?

Not usually. Occasional soreness after a poke from a crisp or a new toothbrush can happen, but ongoing pain, swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum should be checked promptly.