Bleeding, swollen or receding gums are early signs of gum disease. Caught early, it can usually be reversed with a professional clean and better home care. Left untreated, it can lead to bone loss and loose teeth. At Hornsby Dental, 3 minutes from Hornsby Station, we diagnose and treat gum disease at every stage, from gingivitis to periodontitis.
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It is caused by plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – building up along and below the gum line. If plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist.
Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage. Gums become red, swollen and bleed easily when you brush or floss. There is no permanent damage to the bone at this stage.
If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress to periodontitis. The gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that trap bacteria, and the bone supporting the teeth starts to break down. Damage at this stage can be managed and stabilised, but lost bone does not grow back on its own.
Gum disease is often painless, so many people don’t notice it until it is advanced. Regular check-ups and cleans help us pick it up early.
Your dentist will check your gums, measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth and take x-rays where needed to assess the bone levels. You’ll get a clear explanation of what we find and a treatment plan.
For gingivitis, a thorough scale and clean to remove plaque and tartar, combined with improved home care, is usually enough to bring the gums back to health.
For periodontitis, we carry out a deeper clean below the gum line – often called scaling and root planing – to remove tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces so the gums can heal. This is usually done one section (quadrant) of the mouth at a time, with local anaesthetic for comfort.
Gum disease needs to be kept under control. We’ll recommend a maintenance schedule of regular reviews and cleans, and show you the brushing and interdental cleaning techniques that work best for your mouth. For advanced cases we can refer you to a specialist periodontist.
A new patient consultation and clean starts from $219, and periodontal (deep) cleaning is $280 per quadrant. Your dentist will confirm the number of quadrants you need after your examination. See our full price list; interest-free payment plans are also available.
Gingivitis can usually be fully reversed with professional cleaning and good home care. Periodontitis can’t be completely reversed, but it can be stabilised and managed so you keep your teeth.
No. Bleeding gums are one of the most common signs of gingivitis. If your gums bleed regularly, book a check-up.
Periodontal cleaning is done with local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Your gums may feel tender for a few days afterwards.
Most people benefit from a check-up and clean every six months. If you have a history of gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
If your gums are bleeding, swollen or receding, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call (02) 8090 1100 or book online. Learn more in our article on gum disease.
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