Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile.
Many people focus on their teeth and forget the gums that hold them in place. But gum disease is one of the main reasons adults lose teeth, and it often develops without pain. Early treatment can stop it, and it can protect your teeth for years.
At Sushma Memorial Super Specialty Dental Hospital, we have provided dental care since 2006. Our periodontics department diagnoses and treats gum problems, from mild gum inflammation to advanced gum disease.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth, including the bone and ligaments that hold each tooth in place. A dentist who treats these problems is called a periodontist.
Periodontal treatment aims to:
- Control infection in the gums and around the teeth
- Stop bone loss and save natural teeth
- Restore healthy gums
- Improve the appearance of the gum line, where needed
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease starts with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which only a dentist can clean off. The bacteria irritate the gums, and the body’s response to them causes inflammation.
Stage 1: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage. The gums are inflamed but the bone is not yet damaged.
Signs: red, puffy or tender gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, and bad breath.
Gingivitis is reversible with professional cleaning and good home care.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
If gingivitis is not treated, the infection can spread below the gum line. The gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that trap more bacteria. The bone and ligaments supporting the teeth begin to break down.
Signs: gums that recede, deep pockets, persistent bad breath, pus, loose or shifting teeth, and changes in the way your teeth fit together.
Periodontitis cannot be fully reversed, but it can be controlled with treatment, which stops further damage.
Advanced Periodontitis
In later stages, significant bone loss can lead to mobile teeth and tooth loss. Early diagnosis matters because treatment is simpler and more successful at earlier stages.
Warning Signs: When to See a Dentist
Book an appointment if you notice:
- Bleeding gums when brushing, flossing or eating
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Receding gums, making teeth look longer
- Loose teeth or teeth that have moved
- Pus between teeth and gums
- Pain when chewing
- Changes in how your dentures or bite fit
Gum disease is often painless in the early stages, so regular check-ups are important even if nothing seems wrong.
What Causes Gum Disease? Risk Factors
- Poor oral hygiene and missed dental cleanings
- Tobacco use (smoking and chewing tobacco), which is a major risk factor and also hides signs such as bleeding
- Diabetes, which can raise the risk and severity of gum disease
- Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy
- Crowded or misaligned teeth that are hard to clean
- Poorly fitting fillings, crowns or dentures
- Certain medicines that reduce saliva
- Family history and stress
- Teeth grinding (bruxism), which can add stress to weak gums and bone
How Gum Disease Is Diagnosed
Your dentist will:
- Ask about your history, including symptoms, medical conditions and habits
- Examine your gums and teeth for redness, swelling, recession and plaque
- Measure pocket depths around each tooth with a small probe
- Check for loose teeth and assess your bite
- Take dental X-rays to see how much bone support remains
This allows us to recommend the right treatment for the stage of your gum disease.
Gum Treatments We Offer
Treatment depends on the stage and severity of your condition.
1. Professional Cleaning (Scaling and Polishing)
Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and just below the gum line, and polishing smooths the surfaces to make them harder for plaque to stick to. For gingivitis, this together with better home care is often enough to restore healthy gums.
2. Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
For periodontitis, a deeper cleaning is needed. Scaling removes tartar below the gum line, and root planing smooths the root surfaces so the gums can reattach and heal. It is usually done under local anaesthesia, sometimes over more than one visit.
3. Antibacterial Treatment
In some cases, your dentist may recommend antibacterial mouth rinses, gels or medicines to help control bacteria, alongside cleaning.
4. Gum (Flap) Surgery
When deep pockets remain after deep cleaning, flap surgery may be needed. The gum is gently lifted so that the roots can be cleaned thoroughly, and then it is repositioned and stitched. This reduces pocket depth and makes cleaning easier at home.
5. Bone and Gum Grafting
- Bone grafting can rebuild bone that has been lost around teeth, in suitable cases.
- Gum grafting covers exposed roots caused by gum recession, which reduces sensitivity and protects the root.
6. Gum Contouring (Cosmetic Periodontics)
Gum contouring reshapes the gum line to correct a “gummy” smile or uneven gums. This links to our Smile Designing service.
7. Treatment of Gum Recession and Sensitivity
Receding gums can expose the roots and cause sensitivity and a higher risk of decay. Depending on the cause, treatment may include improving brushing technique, fixing a bad bite, gum grafting or protective coverings.
8. Maintenance Care
Gum disease can come back. After active treatment, regular maintenance visits, usually every few months at first, help keep it under control.
What to Expect During Treatment
- Comfort: Most gum treatment is done under local anaesthesia.
- Afterwards: Your gums may feel tender, and teeth may feel sensitive for a few days. Your dentist will advise on medicines and aftercare.
- Healing: As inflammation settles, gums usually become pinker, firmer and less likely to bleed. Recession does not reverse by itself, but further loss can be prevented.
- Follow-up: We re-check your gums to see how they have responded.
Caring for Your Gums at Home
Professional treatment works best with good daily habits.
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles at the gum line
- Clean between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash if advised
- Stop smoking and avoid tobacco
- Eat a balanced diet and limit sugary snacks
- Control conditions like diabetes with your doctor
- Visit your dentist every six months, or more often if advised
Gum Disease and Your General Health
Research links gum disease with other health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. The connection is complex, and gum disease is not the only cause of any of these, but keeping your gums healthy supports your overall well-being. If you have diabetes, regular dental checks are especially important. For more on the connection between oral and general health, see the World Health Organization’s oral health fact sheet.
Gum Care Before Other Dental Treatments
Healthy gums are essential before many other treatments:
- Dental implants need healthy gums and bone. See Replacement of Missing Teeth.
- Braces work better, and more safely, on healthy gums. See Braces & Orthodontic Treatment.
- Crowns, bridges and fillings last longer when the surrounding gums are healthy. See Restorative Treatment.
Myths About Gum Disease
“Bleeding gums are normal.”
They are not. Bleeding is usually a sign of inflammation and should be checked.
“Gum disease only affects older people.”
It can affect adults of any age, although the risk grows with age.
“If it doesn’t hurt, it’s fine.”
Gum disease is often painless until it is advanced.
“Brushing harder will fix it.”
Hard brushing can damage the gums. Use gentle, correct brushing and clean between the teeth.
“Loose teeth always have to be removed.”
Not always. With treatment, many teeth can be saved, depending on the amount of bone remaining.
Hygiene and Safety at Sushma Dental
We follow a structured sterilisation process:
- Instruments are cleaned before sterilisation
- Instrument packs are sterilised and checked with integrator strips
- Only distilled or filtered water is used in dental chairs
- Surfaces are disinfected after every patient
- Dental waste is disposed of through a biomedical waste system
Why Choose Sushma Dental for Gum Treatment?
- Experience since 2006 in a multi-branch dental hospital
- Specialists in each branch of dentistry, so gum care can be coordinated with restorative, orthodontic, implant and surgical treatment
- In-house dental X-rays for accurate diagnosis
- Clear explanations and a transparent estimate
- Affordable care at convenient branches in Jalandhar, Phagwara and Kapurthala
Our Branches
Jalandhar
- Opposite Curo Mall, 66 Feet Road
- Talan Road, near Punjab & Sind Bank, Rama Mandi
Phagwara
- Near Civil Hospital, Chahal Nagar
- Adarsh Nagar
Kapurthala
- GT Road, near PNB Bank, Kala Sanghia
Phone: +91 80544 04325
Email: sushmadentaljld@gmail.com
Book Your Gum Check-Up
Don’t wait for pain. Call us on +91 80544 04325 or book an appointment. Learn more about the clinic on our About Us page and browse all treatments on our Services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding is most often a sign of gum inflammation caused by plaque. It should be checked by a dentist, especially if it continues.
2. Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can be reversed. Periodontitis can be controlled and further damage stopped with treatment and good care, but lost bone does not grow back by itself. Some cases can be rebuilt with grafting.
3. Is gum treatment painful?
It is usually done under local anaesthesia. Some tenderness afterwards is normal and temporary.
4. How long does gum treatment take?
Mild cases may need one cleaning visit. Deeper treatment may take several visits. Your dentist will tell you after an examination.
5. Will my loose teeth tighten up again?
In some cases, teeth become firmer once inflammation is controlled. Teeth with severe bone loss may not recover fully.
6. Can I have braces or implants if I have gum disease?
The gum disease must be treated and controlled first. After that, braces or implants are often possible.
7. How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
Usually every six months, or more often if you have gum disease. Your dentist will advise.
8. Does smoking really affect my gums?
Yes. Tobacco use raises the risk of gum disease, slows healing and can make treatment less effective.
9. What can I do about receding gums?
Treatment depends on the cause. Options include gentler brushing, correcting the bite and gum grafting. A dentist should examine them.
10. Is gum disease contagious?
The bacteria involved can be passed through saliva, but whether someone develops gum disease depends on many factors, including their own hygiene and health.
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