Gum Disease Treatment Adelaide

This depends on the stage. Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home hygiene, the inflammation resolves and gum health returns to normal. Advanced gum disease (periodontitis), where bone loss has already occurred, cannot be reversed, the lost bone does not grow back. However, it can be effectively stabilised with treatment and ongoing maintenance, preventing further deterioration. The earlier it’s caught and treated, the better the long-term outcome for your teeth and bone support.

It’s genuinely both. Research has established links between gum disease and a number of systemic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and complications in pregnancy. The relationship is bidirectional, gum disease can worsen blood sugar control in diabetic patients, and diabetes makes gum disease harder to control. If you have a systemic health condition, it’s worth mentioning it at your appointment, as it can affect your treatment plan and the frequency of maintenance visits needed.

Pocket depth refers to the space between your tooth and the surrounding gum. Healthy pockets measure 1–3mm. Readings of 4mm or above indicate that the gum has detached from the tooth, creating a deeper space where bacteria accumulate and regular brushing can’t reach. The deeper the pockets, the more advanced the disease. Pockets of 4–5mm often respond well to thorough professional cleaning. Deeper pockets may require more intensive treatment. Pocket measurements are taken at your assessment and form the basis of your treatment plan.

Brushing alone, even done well, cannot clean below the gumline where bacteria accumulate in pockets. Gum disease is also influenced by individual factors including genetics, smoking, stress, certain medications, and systemic conditions like diabetes. Some people are genetically more susceptible to gum disease regardless of their hygiene habits. A professional assessment will identify the specific factors contributing to your situation so the treatment plan addresses the actual causes, not just the surface symptoms.

Not until it’s treated and stable. Active gum disease creates an unstable environment that compromises the success of any cosmetic or restorative work — veneers placed over inflamed gums can fail, and implants placed in a mouth with active periodontal disease are at significantly higher risk of peri-implantitis and long-term failure. At Lidums Dental, gum health is always assessed and treated as a prerequisite to any cosmetic or implant work. Getting the foundation right first protects your investment in everything that comes after.

More frequently than a healthy patient, typically every 3–4 months rather than the standard 6-monthly schedule. This is because the bacteria that cause gum disease re-establish themselves in pockets within about 3 months without professional disruption. Regular maintenance visits keep inflammation suppressed, allow monitoring of pocket depths and bone levels over time, and catch any early signs of reactivation before the disease progresses further. The frequency can be adjusted over time as your gum health stabilises and improves.