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# Recognising Periodontitis: The Most Important Signs
- URL: https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/en/guide/signs-of-periodontitis/
- Published: 2025-11-25T10:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T11:01:11.000Z
- Description: Periodontitis does not hurt for a long time. You should still take these signs seriously.
- Author: Hassan Al-Johmani M.Sc.
- Tags: #t-zahnfleisch-en, #lang-en, #ki-bild

Periodontitis is one of the most common chronic diseases of all. The tricky part: it causes no pain for a long time. Many people only notice it when their teeth become loose.

In short

Typical signs of periodontitis are bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, receding gums, bad breath, sensitive tooth necks and teeth that shift or become loose. It can only be diagnosed reliably by measuring the gum pockets at the dentist.

## Seven warning signs

1. bleeding gums when brushing or eating
2. red, swollen gums
3. receding gums, teeth that look “longer”
4. persistent bad breath or a bad taste
5. pus at the gum line
6. gaps appear, teeth shift
7. loose teeth, a changed bite

![Illustration: healthy gums compared with periodontitis with a gum pocket and bone loss](https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/content/images/size/w960/2026/10/rg-paro-3.webp)![](https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/assets/img/eu-ai/ai-generated-white.svg)

In periodontitis, pockets form and bone is lost.

## Risk factors

- inadequate oral hygiene
- smoking
- diabetes, especially when poorly controlled
- stress, genetic predisposition
- hormonal changes (e.g. pregnancy)

Good to know

Patients with German statutory insurance are entitled to the Periodontal Screening Index (PSI) every two years – a quick measurement that shows whether treatment is needed.

Read more
- [Periodontitis treatment in Nuremberg](https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/en/gum-disease-treatment-nuremberg/)
- [Periodontal treatment: the process](https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/en/guide/periodontal-treatment-steps/)
- [Periodontitis and diabetes](https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/en/guide/periodontitis-and-diabetes/)

Book your appointment at the Zahnarztpraxis St. Peter – via [online booking](https://zahnarztpraxis-st-peter.de/en/book-appointment/) or by phone on [0911 554181](tel:+49911554181). You will find us at Hainstraße 25, 90461 Nürnberg (tram 6/10 to Scharrerstraße, patient parking via Scharrerstraße).

## Frequently asked questions

Is “Parodontose” the same as periodontitis?

In everyday German both terms are used interchangeably. Technically, periodontitis is the inflammatory disease – and that is almost always what is meant.

Can children get periodontitis?

Rarely, but it is possible. Gum inflammation (gingivitis), on the other hand, is common in children and teenagers.