Safe gum disease management
Manage gum disease with daily plaque control, professional removal of calculus and treatment matched to the depth and activity of the disease.
The short answer
Appropriate gum-disease management combines careful brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, professional removal of calculus and a periodontal assessment. Treatment is selected from the findings and may include non-surgical cleaning, behavior support, localized medicines, surgery or maintenance visits.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Gum disease ranges from gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gingiva, to periodontitis, in which inflammation is associated with loss of supporting attachment and bone. Plaque bacteria, hardened calculus, smoking, diabetes, certain medicines and access to cleaning can influence disease activity.
What can you do next?
Brush all tooth surfaces twice daily and clean between teeth with floss, interdental brushes or another tool that fits your spaces. A dental professional can record bleeding and pocket depths, remove calculus above and below the gumline, smooth root surfaces when indicated and review healing before maintenance care.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange an examination for bleeding, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, pus, changing tooth position or chewing pain. Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading swelling, fever, severe pain or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis, which sites have deep pockets and whether X-rays show bone changes. Ask how to clean each area, whether any medicine or smoking affects management, what treatment is proposed and how maintenance will be monitored.
Frequently asked questions
Can gum disease be managed without surgery?
Many cases are managed with daily plaque control, professional non-surgical treatment and reassessment, while advanced findings may require additional procedures.
Is bleeding normal when starting interdental cleaning?
Inflamed gums may bleed when first cleaned, but ongoing or heavy bleeding should be assessed and technique reviewed.