Gum health
If your gums bleed, that is not normal. It is the first sign, and also the easiest stage to treat.
What is gum disease?
It is a chronic infection affecting the tissues that hold the tooth in place: the gum, the ligament and the bone. It begins as gingivitis — inflamed gums that bleed — and, untreated, progresses to periodontitis, where bone is lost irreversibly.
It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and it advances painlessly over years. By the time teeth become mobile, bone loss is already considerable.
Signs worth acting on
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing.
- Red, swollen or receding gums.
- Persistent bad breath.
- Teeth that look longer, or gaps that were not there before.
- Mobility or a change in how your bite fits together.
Why it matters beyond your mouth
Periodontitis is associated with poorer diabetes control and higher cardiovascular risk. Treating it is not only a dental matter.
Periodontics is also the step before any implant or cosmetic treatment. Nothing has a good prognosis on diseased gums.
-
Stops bone loss
The aim is to halt progression before teeth are lost.
-
Measured diagnosis
Six-point probing per tooth and radiographic control, not a visual estimate.
-
Tailored maintenance
Check-up intervals are set by your actual risk, not a standard calendar.
How it is treated
-
Periodontal study
Full probing, radiographs and a baseline record so progress can be measured.
-
Treatment phase
Scaling and root planing by quadrant, with laser or surgery where the case requires it.
-
Maintenance
Regular reviews matched to your risk. This phase determines the long-term outcome.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about this treatment
01 My gums bleed when I brush — is that normal?
No. Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding is the first sign of inflammation and, at that stage, treatment is straightforward and the damage reversible.
02 Can periodontitis be cured?
It can be controlled, not cured in the sense of regrowing lost bone. The aim of treatment is to halt progression and stabilise the situation. That is why early diagnosis changes the prognosis so much.
03 Does scaling and root planing hurt?
It is carried out under local anaesthetic, quadrant by quadrant. There may be cold sensitivity in the days afterwards, which settles.
04 Can I have implants if I have had periodontitis?
Yes, but the disease has to be stabilised first. Placing implants alongside active periodontitis greatly increases the risk of peri-implantitis and implant failure.
05 How often do I need maintenance appointments?
It depends on your individual risk: for some patients every three months, for others every six. The interval is set after the treatment phase and reviewed over time.
Other treatments you may be interested in
First assessment
Request your periodontics assessment
- We call you to understand your case before proposing anything.
- Diagnosis with digital planning and a fixed written quote.
- No obligation: if you do not need treatment, we will tell you.
Prefer to talk to us directly? 856 141 100 · WhatsApp