Signs of unhealthy periodontium include: gums that are red and bleed easily when brushing and flossing, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth.
Any of these may be a sign of a problem. With proper gum treatments, however, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state. Treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe, it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction.
This is why it is important to have it treated at the first sign of a problem.