Best way to treat gum infection
Gum infection treatment removes bacterial plaque and calculus, controls inflammation, and addresses any deeper periodontal or dental cause.
The short answer
The best treatment for a gum infection depends on whether the problem is gingivitis, periodontitis, or an abscess, but it starts with removing bacterial deposits and treating the source.
How does plaque contribute to gum infection?
Plaque is a bacterial film that collects at the gum margin. If it hardens into calculus, brushing cannot remove it; inflammation may remain at the margin or progress into periodontal pockets that damage attachment and bone.
What can you do daily to control gum infection?
Clean teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between them with floss or an interdental brush. A dental team may perform scaling, root-surface debridement, drainage of an abscess, or treatment of a decayed tooth, with periodontal follow-up when pockets are present.
When should gum infection be examined by a dentist?
Book care for bleeding, tenderness, persistent bad taste, gum recession, looseness, or pus. Facial swelling, fever, difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing requires urgent evaluation.
Could this be gingivitis, periodontitis, or an abscess?
Is this gingivitis, periodontitis, or a dental abscess? Are periodontal pockets or bone changes present? Which deposits, tooth, or habits need treatment, and how will healing be monitored?
Frequently asked questions
Will mouthwash cure a gum infection?
Mouthwash may support cleaning, but it does not remove calculus or treat a trapped abscess source.
Why do gums bleed during cleaning?
Inflamed tissue can bleed when touched; continued bleeding after improved daily cleaning warrants assessment.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.