Gum treatment

Gum treatment addresses the infection and inflammation that cause gums to bleed, recede and eventually loosen teeth. Most of it is non-surgical cleaning below the gum line; some of it, when bone has been lost, is surgery to clean and reshape what is left. The condition is common, largely painless until late, and the main reason adults lose teeth.

Who it is for

Anyone whose gums bleed when brushing, who has persistent bad breath, gaps opening between teeth, or teeth that feel loose. People with diabetes, smokers and those with a family history are more susceptible.

What the assessment decides

Pocket depths are measured around every tooth and X-rays show the bone level. That decides whether cleaning alone is enough, whether surgery is needed in some areas, and how often maintenance visits should be.

What happens

Scaling and root planing cleans the root surfaces below the gum, usually under local anaesthetic over one or two visits. A review some weeks later shows how the gums have responded. Where pockets remain deep, gum surgery opens the area to clean it fully and may rebuild lost bone. Maintenance, a professional clean every three to six months, is what keeps the result.

Alternatives

Leaving established gum disease untreated means it progresses; the honest alternative to treatment is more frequent professional cleaning and better home care, which can hold early disease but not reverse bone loss.

Cost

Depends on how many teeth are involved and whether surgery is needed. Your written estimate follows the assessment.