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Protect Your Smile with Expert Gum Disease Treatment
Healthy gums are the foundation of a strong, confident smile. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and even affect your overall health. The good news? With the right care, we can protect your gums, stop the damage, and help you keep your teeth for life.
What is gum (periodontal) disease?
Gum disease begins when plaque — a sticky layer of bacteria — builds up around your teeth. In the early stage, called gingivitis, your gums may look red, swollen, and bleed when brushing. The good news: Gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment.
If ignored, gum disease can progress to periodontitis. In this stage, gums pull away from the teeth and form “pockets” where bacteria thrive. This infection slowly destroys the bone that holds your teeth in place. Unlike gingivitis, this damage is permanent. Without treatment, teeth can become loose or even fall out.
1. Inflamed Gum 2. Plaque & Calculus 3. Pocket 4. Bone Loss
Do you have gum disease?
Sometimes gum disease causes no pain at all — which is why many people don’t realise they have it until it’s advanced. Watch for these warning signs:
Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Blood on your pillow when you wake up
Loose or shifting teeth
Receding gums (teeth look “longer”)
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
If you notice any of these symptoms, book an appointment as soon as possible. The earlier we treat gum disease, the easier it is to control.
Why treat gum disease?
Treating gum disease does more than protect your teeth — it improves your whole health and quality of life. Benefits include:
Healthy gums that don’t bleed when brushing
Fresher breath and better-tasting food
Reduced risk of tooth loss
Stronger gums that resist further recession
Potentially improved control of blood sugar for people with diabetes
Healthy gums = a healthy smile you can feel confident about.
Treatment Options
The main cause of gum disease is plaque, so treatment always begins with thorough cleaning — both at home and in the dental chair.
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A professional cleaning and advice on daily plaque control. With good brushing and flossing, gingivitis can be reversed.
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This stage requires deeper cleaning, often under local anaesthetic. The goal is to remove plaque and tartar trapped below the gum line. Successful treatment depends on your commitment to excellent daily home care and regular hygienist visits.
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When gum disease has advanced, bacteria spread deep below the gum line — where a toothbrush can’t reach. That’s where deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) comes in.
Removes plaque and tartar from tooth roots
Done gently with hand or ultrasonic tools
Usually performed under local anaesthetic for comfort
This treatment helps gums reattach to teeth and prevents further bone loss.
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If deep pockets remain after non-surgical cleaning, surgery may be needed.
The gums are gently lifted back to access and remove stubborn deposits
Gum tissue may be reshaped to reduce pocket depth
The gums are then stitched back in place for healing
While gum and bone damage from periodontitis cannot be reversed, surgery can help stop the disease from progressing — helping you keep your teeth for many years.
Key takeaway: Treating gum disease is a lifelong partnership between you and your dental team.
Pricing
Periodontal Assessment
(including all 2D X-rays)
£225
Oral Hygiene Instruction Appointment
With one of our Oral Health Educators
£70
Deep scaling & plaque control advice
from £300
from £850
Periodontal surgery
Oral Hygiene Check appointment
from £150
Periodontal Review appointment
from £150
Supportive Periodontal Therapy
With one of our hygienists
from £100
Hygiene appointment
from £100
Long-Term Gum Health
Periodontitis can usually be stabilised, but results vary depending on factors like plaque control, smoking, and genetics. Even after successful treatment, gum disease can return — which is why regular maintenance is essential.
Continue seeing your general dentist for routine care
Visit your hygienist or periodontist regularly for scaling
Maintain excellent daily brushing and flossing
Teamwork matters. Your dentist, hygienist, and periodontist provide the tools and care — but you are the most important member of the team. With your commitment, gum disease can be controlled for life.
If tooth loss has already occurred, replacement options include dentures, bridges, or dental implants. Implants should only be placed once gum disease is fully under control, to ensure long-term success.
Gum health is a lifelong partnership. Take the first step today.
Meet our Periodontist
With over 20 years of experience, Sarah Diederich is a trusted specialist in gum disease treatment. She is highly respected across Sussex for her caring approach and excellent results. Patients often praise her ability to make complex treatment feel comfortable and reassuring.
“My periodontist, Sarah, could not have been more considerate, professional and talented. She and her team made sure I was comfortable and encouraged me throughout treatment. Thanks to her care, my gums are healthy again, and I was able to keep teeth that were at risk.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in dental plaque. Gingivitis is the early stage, manifesting as red, swollen gums that bleed during brushing. This stage is reversible with proper professional care and diligent oral hygiene. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. In this stage, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets where bacteria thrive. The resulting infection destroys the supporting bone. Regarding your implants, it is critical that any active gum disease is fully under control before placement. Infection can affect implants in a similar way to natural teeth, potentially causing bone loss around the fixture. Maintaining excellent hygiene is essential to the long-term health and stability of your implants.
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We strongly recommend that implants are only placed once any gum disease is fully under control. To ensure your treatment is safe and successful, our dedicated periodontist, Sarah Diederich, oversees this process. With over 30 years of specialist experience, she works closely with you to treat existing gum issues and prepare your mouth for stable, long-term implant success. We focus on restoring your oral health first, providing a healthy foundation that ensures your implants remain secure for years to come.
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Periodontal disease treatment focuses on removing harmful plaque and calculus (also known as scale or tartar), allowing your gums to heal, tighten back against the teeth, and stop the progression of bone loss. A comprehensive treatment plan is tailored to the severity of your particular condition. Typical options include:
Periodontal assessments (£225): A detailed evaluation of your gum health, pocket depths, and bone levels to create a roadmap for your care.
Deep scaling / Root Planing (from £300): A thorough cleaning procedure performed under local anaesthetic to remove bacteria and tartar from deep beneath the gum line, smoothing the root surfaces to prevent future build-up.
Periodontal surgery (from £850): For more advanced cases, this may involve procedures such as flap surgery to access deep pockets, bone grafting, or tissue regeneration to restore structural support.
Supportive periodontal therapy: Essential ongoing maintenance appointments with a skilled hygienist to monitor your gum health and ensure the disease remains under control, preventing any risk of relapse.
The goal of these treatments is to create a healthy, stable foundation. We will discuss your specific needs and a clear, transparent cost breakdown during your initial assessment.
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If left untreated, periodontitis causes the progressive destruction of the bone supporting your teeth. This leads to the formation of deep pockets where bacteria thrive, which can result in increasingly loose teeth and, eventually, tooth loss. Beyond your oral health, there is growing evidence of a significant link between chronic periodontal disease and various systemic conditions. These include:
Heart disease
Poorly controlled blood sugar (diabetes)
Pregnancy complications
Osteoporosis
Alzheimer’s disease
Early intervention is the most effective way to halt this process and protect both your dental and general well-being. If you are worried about the state of your gums, we encourage you to book an assessment so we can stabilise your oral health.
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Yes. Periodontitis is a chronic condition, meaning it can return if not carefully managed. Ongoing care is vital for long-term health. Regular hygienist visits, combined with a dedicated daily routine of brushing and flossing, are essential to keep your gums stable and prevent the disease from recurring. We work with you to create a manageable maintenance plan, ensuring you have the support and guidance needed to protect your oral health for the long term.
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Maintaining healthy gums is a lifelong partnership between you and our clinical team. Consistency is the most important factor in long-term success. To keep your gums stable, we recommend the following:
Regular hygienist visits: These are essential to remove plaque and calculus that you cannot reach with a toothbrush, allowing us to monitor your gum health and address any minor issues before they progress.
Diligent daily oral hygiene: Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes is critical. This removes the bacterial biofilm that causes gum disease.
Professional support: We will tailor a maintenance schedule specifically for you based on your risk factors, ensuring your gums receive the professional care needed to remain healthy for years to come.
By staying consistent with your hygiene routine and attending your check-ups, you are taking the most effective steps to protect your teeth and implants.
Ready to Restore Your Gum Health?
Don’t let gum disease put your teeth - or your implants - at risk.