Reviewed by Dr. Adel Elbaz, DDS, general dentist · Last reviewed
Gum Disease Treatment in London, Ontario
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place: the gums, the ligaments and the bone. It is one of the most common reasons adults lose teeth, and it often develops quietly, with little or no pain until it is advanced.
The good news is that early gum disease can be reversed, and later stages can be controlled. At Lunar Smile Dentistry we check your gums at every check-up, explain what we find, and build a treatment and cleaning plan around it.
Gingivitis and periodontitis
- Gingivitis is the early stage. Plaque along the gum line inflames the gums, so they look red or puffy and bleed when you brush or floss. The bone hasn’t been affected yet, and with a professional cleaning and better home care, gingivitis usually clears up completely.
- Periodontitis is the next stage. The infection spreads below the gum line, the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets, and the bone that supports the teeth starts to break down. Bone that is lost doesn’t grow back on its own, so the aim is to stop the disease and keep what you have.
Signs to watch for
Book a check-up if you notice:
- gums that bleed when you brush, floss or eat
- red, swollen or tender gums
- bad breath or a bad taste that doesn’t go away
- gums that have receded, making teeth look longer
- teeth that feel loose or have shifted, or a change in how your teeth meet
- pus between the teeth and gums
- sensitivity at the gum line
Smoking can hide bleeding, so smokers may have gum disease without seeing these signs.
Who is at higher risk?
- smokers and vapers
- people with diabetes, especially when blood sugar is hard to control
- pregnancy, because hormone changes make gums more reactive
- people who have had gum disease before, or whose parents lost teeth to it
- dry mouth from medications
- crowded teeth, or crowns and bridges that are hard to clean around
- long gaps between professional cleanings
Gum disease has also been linked with heart disease and diabetes. Keeping your gums healthy is part of looking after your overall health.
How we diagnose gum disease
At your exam we measure the depth of the space between each tooth and the gum with a small, gentle probe. Healthy gums measure about 1 to 3 millimetres; deeper pockets, bleeding and recession tell us how active the disease is. Digital x-rays show the bone level around each tooth, and we compare your measurements over time.
Treatment options
Professional cleaning
For gingivitis, a thorough cleaning removes plaque and hardened tartar above and just below the gum line. We’ll also show you the brushing and flossing techniques that suit your mouth.
Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
For periodontitis, scaling and root planing cleans deeper. We freeze the area, remove tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces inside the pockets, and smooth the roots so the gums can reattach. It is usually done one section of the mouth at a time.
Antibiotics placed in the pockets
For deep pockets that don’t fully respond, we may place an antibiotic directly into the pocket to help control the infection. Laser dentistry can also help reduce bacteria and remove infected tissue in some pockets.
Surgery and grafting
Advanced cases may need gum or bone grafting to cover exposed roots or rebuild support. See oral surgery. When a case needs a gum specialist, we’ll explain why and arrange a referral.
Periodontal maintenance
Gum disease can be controlled but tends to come back if plaque builds up again. After treatment, most patients need cleanings every three to four months instead of every six. At each maintenance visit we re-measure your pockets, clean below the gum line, and adjust the plan.
Between visits:
- brush twice a day with a soft brush, angled toward the gum line
- clean between your teeth every day with floss, a water flosser or interdental brushes
- stop smoking, which is the single biggest help for healing gums
- tell us about changes in your health or medications
Cost and coverage
Most dental insurance plans cover gum treatment and maintenance cleanings, often with a limit on the number of scaling units per year. The Canadian Dental Care Plan also covers scaling and root planing. Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association fee guide, and we check your coverage before we start. See CDCP at our office.
Common questions
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can be fully reversed. Periodontitis can be controlled so it stops getting worse, but lost bone doesn’t grow back on its own, so ongoing maintenance is important.
Is gum disease contagious?
The bacteria can pass through saliva, but whether someone develops gum disease depends mostly on their own plaque control, health and habits.
Why do my gums bleed even though I brush?
Bleeding usually means plaque is irritating the gums, often between teeth where a brush doesn’t reach. Daily flossing and a professional cleaning usually stop it within a couple of weeks.
Will I lose my teeth?
Most people who treat gum disease and keep up maintenance keep their teeth. The earlier it’s treated, the better.
Book a gum check in London
Bleeding gums are worth checking early, when treatment is simplest. Book online or call 226-884-2573. We’re open six days a week, with evening appointments until 9 pm on weekdays.
Part of our other services services in London, Ontario. See all dental services.