Treatment guide
Gum disease treatment
Gum disease develops in stages. Gingivitis is the early stage: your gums may look red or swollen and bleed when you brush, and this generally settles well once the irritation causing it is removed and your home care improves. Left alone, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more advanced stage that affects the bone supporting your teeth. Your dentist begins by measuring the gum around each tooth to see which stage is present, then plans treatment to suit what is found.
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Why patients consider it
Concerns this treatment is designed to address.
Gum disease develops in stages. Gingivitis is the early stage: your gums may look red or swollen and bleed when you brush, and this generally settles well once the irritation causing it is removed and your home care improves. Left alone, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more advanced stage that affects the bone supporting your teeth. Your dentist begins by measuring the gum around each tooth to see which stage is present, then plans treatment to suit what is found.
- A clear starting point
Measuring the gum around each tooth shows your dentist which areas are healthy, which are inflamed and which run deeper, so your treatment is matched to what is present. - The early stage treated while it is reversible
Gingivitis generally responds well to treatment and consistent home care, and catching it at this stage gives your gums the best chance of returning fully to health. - The advanced stage kept under control
Periodontitis cannot be cured, but it can be managed and stabilised, and ongoing care slows how quickly it progresses.
What to expect
Every stage, explained clearly.
We measure your gums
Your dentist checks for bleeding, records how far the gum has pulled away from the tooth in places, and notes any looseness, building a picture of how advanced things are.
We clean below the gum line
Where deeper cleaning is needed, the root surfaces beneath the gum are cleaned using local anaesthetic where appropriate, sometimes over more than one visit depending on how much of the mouth is affected.
We check your progress
Once your gums have had time to heal, your dentist measures them again to see what has improved and agrees a maintenance plan that suits how you responded.
Before your appointment
Useful things to know.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the early, generally reversible stage, where the gums are inflamed but the bone beneath has not been affected. Periodontitis is more advanced and involves the bone supporting the teeth, so it is managed over time rather than cured.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis generally responds well to treatment and good home care. Periodontitis cannot be cured outright, but it can be stabilised and its progress slowed with treatment and regular maintenance.
How does the dentist know how advanced it is?
By measuring the depth of the gum around each tooth and checking for bleeding, recession and looseness. These measurements show which stage of gum disease is present and guide the treatment plan.
Is bleeding when brushing something to worry about?
It is worth acting on. Bleeding gums are rarely normal and usually mean some degree of gum disease is present, even when there is no discomfort.
Plan your visit
Begin with a clear conversation.
Message the practice about what you have noticed, and the team will arrange a suitable assessment.
Enquire about this treatment