The warning signs
The early stage, gingivitis, is fully reversible. Left alone it progresses to periodontitis, where the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed — and bone does not grow back on its own.
- Blood in the sink when you brush or floss
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that brushing does not fix
- Gums that look red and puffy rather than firm and pink
- Teeth that look longer as the gum recedes
- Any tooth that feels slightly mobile
How we treat it
- Scaling and polishing: Ultrasonic removal of the hardened tartar that brushing cannot shift, above the gum line.
- Root planing: For deeper pockets, we clean the root surfaces below the gum under local anaesthesia, usually quadrant by quadrant.
- Laser gum therapy: Used alongside cleaning in selected cases to disinfect pockets and support healing.
- Maintenance: Once stable, a review every six months keeps it that way. Gum disease is controlled, not cured.
Why it matters beyond your mouth
Periodontitis is linked with poorly controlled diabetes and with cardiovascular disease, and in pregnancy it is associated with a higher risk of low birth weight. Treating your gums is general health care, not cosmetic.
