Gum disease treatment in Bushey: what it involves
Gum disease is very common, and in its early stages it’s easy to miss because it rarely hurts. At Caspian Dental Clinic we provide gum disease treatment in Bushey at every stage, from bleeding gums that need a thorough clean to deeper gum pockets that need cleaning below the gumline.
The aim is to bring the inflammation under control, stop further damage and help you keep your natural teeth. Patients come to us from Watford and the surrounding area, and appointments are available on Saturdays.
Gingivitis and periodontitis: what’s the difference?
| Gingivitis | Periodontitis | |
|---|---|---|
| What’s happening | The gums are inflamed by plaque bacteria at the gumline. | Inflammation has spread deeper, damaging the bone and fibres that hold teeth in place, and gum pockets form. |
| Typical signs | Red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush. | Receding gums, bad breath, gaps appearing, loose or drifting teeth. |
| Can it be reversed? | Yes, with professional cleaning and good daily care. | Lost bone doesn’t usually grow back, but the disease can be stabilised with treatment and maintenance. |
Signs of gum disease to look out for
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
- Red, swollen or tender gums.
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste that doesn’t go away.
- Receding gums, making teeth look longer.
- Teeth that feel loose, or that have moved and left gaps.
- Pus or a painful swelling around a tooth.
If you notice any of these, book a check-up. If you smoke, you may see less bleeding, because smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and can hide the warning signs.
Who is more at risk?
- Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors. It makes gum disease more likely and slows healing after treatment.
- Diabetes, especially when blood sugar is poorly controlled, increases the risk and severity of gum disease.
- Stress can affect your immune response and make it harder to keep up good habits.
- Other factors include a family history of gum disease, hormonal changes in pregnancy, some medicines and crowded teeth that are harder to clean.
How gum disease is diagnosed
At your dental check-up, Dr Kimia Mirzakhani looks at your gums and gently measures the small gap between gum and tooth with a fine probe. This starts with a quick screening called the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). If deeper pockets are found, she records detailed gum pocket charting around each tooth.
X-rays show how much bone support your teeth have. Together, these tell us how advanced the disease is and which teeth need most attention, and we’ll explain the findings to you clearly.
Treatment, step by step
Assessment and your plan
We examine and chart your gums, take X-rays if needed, and explain what we’ve found, what treatment involves and what it costs.
A professional clean and home-care coaching
We remove plaque and tartar above the gumline and show you how to brush and clean between your teeth effectively. For gingivitis, a hygiene appointment plus better daily cleaning is often all that’s needed.
Two-visit gum treatment under local anaesthetic
Where there are deeper pockets, we clean the root surfaces below the gumline to remove the plaque and tartar that bacteria live in. This deep cleaning is split over two visits, under local anaesthetic so you’re comfortable, from £200 per visit.
Review
A few months later we re-measure your gum pockets to see how they’ve responded. Most areas improve; any that don’t may need further cleaning, and in some cases referral to a specialist periodontist.
Ongoing maintenance
Gum disease can return, so regular hygiene visits at an interval set for you are an essential part of treatment, not an optional extra.
“…she took the extra time to explain what the issue was and what she was going to do about it, what risks are involved, and what outcomes were expected…”
Amir, Google review
Does gum treatment hurt?
We make sure the area is numb before deep cleaning starts, so most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Afterwards, your gums may be sore for a few days, and teeth can be sensitive to cold for a few weeks. Over-the-counter painkillers and a sensitive toothpaste usually help.
Results, limitations and risks
For many people, treatment reduces bleeding, freshens breath and stops the disease getting worse. How well it works depends a great deal on daily cleaning at home and on not smoking.
It’s important to be realistic. As inflammation settles, gums often shrink back a little, so teeth can look longer and gaps between them more noticeable.
Bone that has already been lost doesn’t usually grow back, and some teeth with very advanced bone loss can’t be saved. If that happens, we’ll discuss replacement options such as bridges, dentures or dental implants, although implants need healthy, stable gums first.
Gum health and your general health
Research has found links between gum disease and some wider health conditions. The clearest is diabetes: gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control, and poorly controlled diabetes makes gum disease worse.
Associations have also been reported with heart disease and some pregnancy complications, although these links don’t prove that gum disease causes them. Healthy gums are simply part of looking after yourself.
Looking after your gums at home
- Brush twice a day for about two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles towards the gumline.
- Clean between your teeth every day, ideally with interdental brushes in the sizes we recommend.
- Keep brushing if your gums bleed. Bleeding usually settles as the inflammation improves.
- If you smoke, stopping is one of the most helpful things you can do for your gums. Your GP or pharmacist can help.
- Keep up your check-ups and hygiene visits, even when your gums feel fine.
Gum treatment costs
Two-visit gum treatment under local anaesthetic is from £200 per visit, a hygiene appointment is from £100, and X-rays, if needed, are £20 (small) or £90 (large). We’ll give you a clear estimate before anything starts. Fees are subject to review and depend on your individual assessment; see our prices page for the full list.
Gum disease questions
How much does gum disease treatment cost in Bushey?
At Caspian Dental Clinic, two-visit gum treatment under local anaesthetic is from £200 per visit. Early gum disease may only need a hygiene appointment, from £100. We’ll confirm what you need and the cost after examining your gums.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can be reversed with professional cleaning and good daily care. Periodontitis can’t usually be reversed, because lost bone doesn’t grow back, but it can be stabilised. Keeping it under control means good home care and regular maintenance visits.
Does deep cleaning of the gums hurt?
We use local anaesthetic, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Gums can be sore for a few days afterwards, and teeth may be sensitive to cold for a few weeks while things settle.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums are most often caused by plaque irritating the gumline (gingivitis). Keep brushing gently and cleaning between your teeth. If the bleeding doesn’t settle within a couple of weeks, book a check-up, as it occasionally has other causes.
Will I lose my teeth if I have gum disease?
Most people with gum disease keep their teeth, especially when it’s treated and well maintained. If advanced periodontitis is left untreated, though, teeth can become loose and may eventually be lost, which is why early treatment matters.