What to do if you have gum disease
Gum disease causes red, swollen, sore, and bleeding gums. Treatment depends on severity and may include cleaning advice, hygienist cleaning, or other dent.
The short answer
Gum disease can be managed with dental care, but treatment depends on severity. Early care may include cleaning advice and hygienist cleaning; serious disease may need deep cleaning, antibiotics, tooth removal, or gum surgery.
What is the direct answer?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Early care | May include cleaning advice and hygienist cleaning. |
| Serious disease | May need deep cleaning under the gums, antibiotics, tooth removal, or gum surgery. |
What does this question mean?
Gum disease is where gums become red, swollen and sore, and bleed. Treatment depends on severity.
What can you do next?
Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and clean between teeth every day. See a dentist if gums bleed, are painful and swollen, or there is bad breath.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Daily care | Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and clean between teeth every day. |
| Dental care | Treatment may include cleaning advice, hygienist cleaning, deep cleaning, antibiotics, tooth removal, or gum surgery. |
When should you seek dental care?
See a dentist if gums bleed when brushing or eating hard foods, are painful and swollen, or there is bad breath. Ask for an urgent dental appointment if gums are very sore and swollen or teeth are becoming loose.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask the dentist whether the gum disease is early or serious and which treatment is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Treatment depends on severity. Early care may include cleaning advice and hygienist cleaning; serious disease may need deep cleaning under the gums, antibiotics, tooth removal, or gum surgery.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I have gum disease?
See a dentist if gums bleed, are painful and swollen, or there is bad breath. Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and clean between teeth every day.
Can gum disease be cured?
Treatment depends on severity. Early care may include cleaning advice and hygienist cleaning; serious disease may need deep cleaning, antibiotics, tooth removal, or gum surgery.