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Gum disease rarely announces itself early, which is exactly why it’s often well established by the time a patient notices something’s wrong. At All About Dental, we treat gum health as seriously as we treat the teeth themselves, since one rarely stays healthy without the other.
Our dental clinic features modern diagnostic tools that let us assess gum health accurately, rather than relying on guesswork.
Let our experts help you catch it early and keep it from progressing.
Our Dentist in Engadine explains that gum disease usually starts as gingivitis, a build-up of plaque along the gumline that irritates and inflames the gum tissue. Left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where the infection begins affecting the bone that actually holds your teeth in place.
It’s worth knowing the following warning signs that you might have gum disease:
Bleeding Gums
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the earliest and most common signs of gum inflammation, even if it doesn't seem serious at first.
Persistent Bad Breath
Bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing or mouthwash can point to bacteria building up below the gumline rather than a simple hygiene issue.
Receding or Tender Gums
Gums that look like they're pulling back from your teeth, or feel sore and tender to the touch, often signal inflammation that's progressed beyond the earliest stage.
At All About Dental, our dental team consists of knowledgeable and experienced dentists who will assess exactly how far gum disease has progressed and recommend the right treatment before it affects the bone supporting your teeth. Catching it at the gingivitis stage generally means treatment is simpler and fully reversible.
Treatment depends entirely on how far the disease has progressed. For gingivitis, a thorough professional clean removes the plaque and tartar buildup causing the inflammation, and gums typically recover within a couple of weeks with good home care afterward.
For periodontitis, we generally recommend scaling and root planing, a deeper clean that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth root to help gum tissue reattach properly.
This is usually done under local anaesthetic for comfort. In more advanced cases, antibiotics may be prescribed alongside treatment, and a follow-up appointment is scheduled to check how well your gums have responded and whether further treatment is needed.
Gingivitis, the early stage, can generally be fully reversed with a professional clean and improved home care, often within a couple of weeks. Periodontitis can be managed and controlled with treatment like scaling and root planing, but any bone loss that’s already occurred usually can’t be regrown, which is why catching it early matters.
Gum health is assessed as part of every regular check-up, generally every six months, using visual examination and gum pocket measurements to track any changes. If you’ve been treated for gum disease before, your dentist may recommend checks every three to four months instead.
A standard professional clean is generally comfortable and doesn’t require anaesthetic, while scaling and root planing is done under local anaesthetic since it reaches below the gumline. Some mild sensitivity or tenderness for a day or two afterward is normal and usually manageable without medication.
Left untreated, gum disease can lead to gum recession, bone loss around the teeth, looseness, and eventually tooth loss, along with ongoing bad breath and discomfort when eating. Research has also linked untreated gum disease to conditions like heart disease and diabetes, making early treatment worthwhile well beyond your mouth.
Yes, consistent brushing twice daily, flossing, and regular check-ups and cleans significantly reduce the risk of gum disease returning once it’s been treated. Your dentist can also flag specific areas that need extra attention at home based on your individual risk factors.
Contact us to schedule your gum disease assessment.
Whether you’ve noticed bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or you’re simply overdue for a check-up, catching gum disease early makes treatment simpler and protects your teeth for the long run. Get in touch with All About Dental today, and let’s get your gum health back on track.
