Treatments · Gum Treatment

Gum Treatment

Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults and usually progresses without pain. Bleeding on brushing, redness, recession and bad breath are the first signs; in the early stage it can be reversed with simple cleaning.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis is a superficial inflammation caused by plaque and tartar at the gum margin: redness, swelling and bleeding, with no bone loss; it heals completely with cleaning and correct brushing. Periodontitis is the spread of that inflammation to the fibres and bone holding the tooth: pockets deepen, bone is lost and teeth loosen. The loss does not come back, but the progression can be stopped.

Treatments

Scaling: tartar on the teeth and at the gum margin is removed with ultrasonic and hand instruments and the surface polished; about 30–45 minutes, with anaesthesia for sensitive patients.

Root planing: if pockets have deepened, tartar and inflamed tissue inside the pocket are cleaned under local anaesthesia and the root surface smoothed; usually 2–4 visits by quadrant, reviewed after 6–8 weeks.

Surgery: flap surgery for deep pockets, bone grafting for bone loss and gum grafting for recession may be considered.

Gum contouring: a "gummy smile" or uneven gum levels can be corrected before cosmetic treatment.

Step by step

1. Periodontal examination: pocket depths, bleeding and mobility are recorded; bone level is checked on X-ray.
2. Initial therapy: scaling and polishing; brushing and interdental cleaning instruction; advice on smoking and systemic disease.
3. Root planing: for pockets deeper than 4 mm, 30–45 minutes per quadrant under local anaesthesia; usually 2–4 visits.
4. Re-evaluation: pockets are re-measured after 6–8 weeks; surgery is planned for areas that have not improved.
5. Maintenance: check-up and cleaning every 3–4 months — the most important step in preventing relapse.

Duration

• Gingivitis: 1–2 cleaning visits, clear improvement in 2 weeks
• Moderate periodontitis: 2–4 root-planing visits + review after 8 weeks
• Advanced periodontitis: root planing + surgery, 3–6 months
• Gum graft: 1 visit (45–90 min), stitches for 2 weeks

Healing and home care

Sensitivity for 1–2 weeks and a "gappy" look as the gums shrink back are normal after cleaning and root planing. Bleeding stops within 2 weeks with regular care. After surgery, a soft diet and antiseptic mouthwash for 7–10 days. Brush twice a day with a soft brush at 45° to the gum margin, clean between the teeth every day, reduce or stop smoking and keep diabetes under control.

Alternatives

The outcome of untreated periodontitis is tooth loss; "waiting" is not an alternative. Teeth that cannot be saved are extracted and an implant or prosthesis is planned — but implant success requires gum disease to be under control.