You are wise to catch things quickly because bleeding gums can be one of the first signs of gingivitis. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontal disease, which can affect the bone in your jaw and lead to teeth losing their anchoring, ultimately falling out. In fact, more teeth are lost in Britain through gum disease than tooth decay, so it is definitely worth taking seriously.

A trip to the dentist is the first step. This will probably involve a session with a hygienist for some thorough cleaning, then education on brushing techniques, flossing and so on. Getting this right is crucial, since all gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky build-up of bacteria that coats teeth and gums.

Since gingivitis involves a build-up of plaque, one of the first dietary steps is to cut back on sugary foods, especially between meals. Bacteria in plaque such as streptococcus mutans, stick on to our teeth where they need sugars to grow. A coating of sugar from sweets, cakes, biscuits, sweetened teas and coffees, fizzy drinks and squashes provide just that.

Chewing sugar-free gums or sucking sweets containing the natural sweetener xylitol appears to help to keep plaque production under control by preventing bacteria from sticking to teeth and gums. It also increases saliva flow and makes saliva more alkaline, both of which reduce plaque production.

Eating cranberries may also help. These are rich in a type of super-nutrient tannin (known as PACS) that acts as a non-stick coating in parts of our bodies, helping to stop bacteria from being able to grab on to surfaces such as the lining of our urinary tract and our teeth and gums. Research suggests that using mouthwashes containing cranberry extracts may help in gum disease.

Since such washes are not yet commercially available, a couple of glasses of cranberry juice a day could do the trick. This should contain no added sugar and 25 per cent of cranberry juice, which then supplies sufficient tannins for each glass to provide ten hours of bacteria-fighting protection.

Also check that you are eating vitamin C-rich foods each day. It is rare in the UK today to find people with scurvy, caused by eating too little of this vital nutrient, but in my clinical practice, I am surprised how often people's daily intakes do not hit the daily 40mg target. Just one medium-sized orange provides double this, while three slices of red pepper in a salad or a kiwi fruit provides 36mg. Eat your “five a day” of fruit and vegetables and you should be covered.

Since smoking lowers vitamin C levels in our bodies, causes a lack of oxygen to the gums and leads to more plaque being formed, quitting is key to improving gum health. Giving up may not only reduce the incidence but also improve the healing time of bleeding gums, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Flavonoids, a group of super-nutrients found in everything from grapefruit and cherries to apples, onions and tea may also help. They were discovered in the 1930s when they were identified as “vitamin P” because they helped to keep blood vessels healthy. This role could help to speed up the healing process while their natural anti-bacterial effects may help to counter gum-attacking bacteria.

Other good flavonoid-rich foods include aubergines, berries, black grapes, parsley, pears, olives, cherry tomatoes, citrus fruits and cabbage.

Guard your gums

Bleeding gums can be caused by serious diseases, including uncontrolled diabetes and leukaemia as well as problems such as stress, and they are more common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms if you are concerned to rule out causes other than gum disease.

Medical herbalists sometimes recommend brushing along your gum line with ½ teaspoon of vitamin C powder every other day to help improve gum strength.

A supplement of co-enzyme Q10 may be helpful. Research suggests that this substance, naturally produced in our bodies and belonging to a family of compounds called “quinones”, may help gum-healing. Taking 50mg twice daily for eight weeks could be worth trying, but check with your doctor first and avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.