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Many people think its perfectly normal for their gums to bleed when they brush or floss, but its not.

Bleeding gums are a sign your gums are inflamed due to disease-causing bacteria.

Ignoring it puts you at risk of developing a serious form of gum disease, according to the Australian Dental Association (ADA).

While plaque is the major factor responsible for people developing gum disease, gum health can be affected by smoking and tobacco use, genetics, diseases such as diabetes and arthritis, stress, poor nutrition and hormonal fluctuations such as those experienced during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause.

Gum disease in its earlier forms is known as gingivitis and a more serious form, periodontitis, can develop when the early signs are ignored.

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Signs your gums are in trouble include bad breath, visible tartar deposits, shifting or loose teeth, changes in bite structure, redness, swelling and tenderness, pus from the gums or the gums have pulled away from the teeth, exposing the roots.

Thankfully, there are ways to prevent gum disease.

The ADA recommends a consistent routine of brushing and flossing and regular visits to a dentist or hygienist for a professional clean to remove tartar from hard-to-reach areas that are susceptible to gum disease.

Your dentist can inspect for gum disease and, if you have more advanced gum disease, he or she can refer you to a periodontist.