What is periodontal (gum) disease?
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and the bone that holds your teeth. It begins quietly — a little bleeding while brushing — and progresses largely without pain, which is why it is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Caught early, it is very treatable; caught late, it can still usually be controlled, but not undone.
Signs your gums need attention
- Gums that bleed while brushing, flossing or eating
- Swollen, tender or reddened gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Receding gums — teeth looking longer, or sensitivity near the gum line
- Loose or drifting teeth, or a change in how your bite meets
- Pus or discomfort between teeth and gums
How gum disease is treated
Treatment is staged to your diagnosis — never more than your gums actually need:
- Early disease (gingivitis): professional cleaning plus guided home care — see gingivitis treatment.
- Established disease: deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to remove deposits below the gum line.
- Advanced disease: procedures such as periodontal flap surgery to access and clean deep pockets — see periodontitis treatment and pyorrhoea care.
- Recession and aesthetics: gum recession treatment, gum grafting and crown lengthening.
- Keeping it stable: periodontal maintenance — the recall programme that protects your result.
Why specialist-led gum care matters
General cleaning removes what is visible. Periodontal treatment addresses what is below the gum line — where the disease actually lives. As an M.D.S. with periodontics as a core speciality, Dr Shantanu Rao measures pocket depths, maps bone levels and treats to a diagnosis, not to a routine. That same foundation-first thinking underpins the studio's implant work: healthy gums are what keep implants — and natural teeth — in place.
Frequently asked questions
Is bleeding from the gums normal?
No. Occasional light bleeding may seem harmless, but gums that bleed while brushing or eating are usually inflamed — the earliest stage of gum disease. Healthy gums do not bleed. It is worth getting assessed early, when treatment is simplest.
Can gum disease cause teeth to become loose?
Yes. Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) destroys the bone that anchors teeth. As bone support reduces, teeth loosen and can eventually be lost. Treating the disease early is the best way to keep your natural teeth.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation limited to the gums and is usually reversible with professional cleaning and good home care. Periodontitis is the deeper stage where the bone and fibres supporting the teeth are being damaged — it can be controlled, but lost bone does not grow back on its own.
Does gum treatment hurt?
Deep cleaning and gum procedures are performed with local anaesthesia where needed, and most patients describe sensitivity rather than pain afterwards. Comfort is monitored throughout, and aftercare instructions keep recovery smooth for most people.
Can bad breath come from the gums?
Very often, yes. Persistent bad breath is commonly caused by bacteria collecting in gum pockets rather than by food alone. Treating the gum infection addresses the source rather than masking it.
How often do I need periodontal maintenance after treatment?
Typically every three to six months, depending on how your gums respond. Maintenance visits are shorter than the initial treatment and are the main reason results last. Your recall interval is set individually.