If you fail to catch the warning signs and obvious symptoms of gum disease such as red, tender, bleeding and swollen gums, the tendency is that reversing gum disease becomes harder than preventing the gum condition and may entail the involvement of surgical procedures once the bacteria causing gum disease has already spread below the gumline and becomes periodontitis. The milder form of gum disease which is gingivitis may cause the following symptoms reddened or inflammation of the gums, bleeding, bad breath or halitosis, weakened immune system, appearance of permanent film on teeth and soreness to touch. Knowing these signs can make you vigilant on what is happening inside your oral cavity. Proper techniques of brushing and flossing can cut down harmful bacteria-causing swollen gums and other gum problems.