What to expect when you go for a gum check?

Gum disease can be painful or not painful, but surely your gums will be red and in some cases, your teeth appear long . The Dentist will use a perioprobe to check the depth of your gum pocket! 

What are the early signs of gum disease? Can I check for it at home? If I don't have bleeding when brushing, red/swollen gums, bad breath, tenderness, gumline changes and/or  sensitivity but there is gum pain, does it mean that the pain will go away?