What is Periodontal Treatment and Does It Hurt?

If you’ve noticed bleeding gums, bad breath that won’t shift, or gums that look a little more swollen than usual, you may be dealing with the early stages of gum disease.

Understanding what periodontal treatment is, why it’s needed, and what to expect can make a real difference to how confident you feel about booking an appointment.

Our London dentists have put together this complete guide to periodontal disease, its symptoms, and the treatment options available – including honest answers on pain levels – so you know exactly what you’re walking into.

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What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a common oral health condition that affects the structures surrounding the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone.

The accumulation of bacteria in the mouth causes it, leading to inflammation and infection. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss and have negative impacts on overall health.

Periodontal disease can be categorised into two main types:

• Gingivitis – the early stage of the disease, characterised by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. This stage is reversible with proper care.
• Periodontitis – if gingivitis isn’t treated promptly, it can progress into periodontitis, which involves the destruction of the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth.

What are the signs of periodontal disease?

Gum disease symptoms are often easy to spot, but just as easy to overlook, and this is never a good thing.

There are four main signs to watch for:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, or a metallic taste in the mouth
• Red, puffy, or swollen gums that feel tender to the touch
• Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste that doesn’t go away
• Gums that are receding, pulling away from the teeth, or teeth that feel loose

As the disease advances, gums pull further away from the teeth, deep pockets form, and your bite may change – all signs of advanced gum disease that shouldn’t be ignored.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is commonly caused by the build-up of plaque on the teeth, which is a sticky bacterial film that irritates the gum line and triggers inflammation. Left alone, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional – at which point you’re at real risk of losing a tooth.

Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, certain medications, genetics, and a weakened immune system.

The stages of gum disease

Periodontal disease progresses through four stages:

• Mild: Slight inflammation and bleeding
• Moderate: Gum recession, early bone involvement
• Severe: Significant recession and bone loss
• Advanced: Risk of tooth loss

What does periodontal treatment include?

The treatment you’ll need depends on how advanced the disease is. At your first appointment, your dentist will measure gum pocket depth, check for bleeding and recession, and may take X-rays to assess bone loss before agreeing on a plan with you.

Treatment centres on scaling and root planing – a deep clean of the teeth and gum pockets that treats the infection and helps prevent tooth and bone loss.

For advanced cases, treatment may include flap surgery to clean deep pockets and reshape bone, gum or bone grafts to restore lost tissue, and tissue regeneration to encourage regrowth. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed alongside deep cleaning to control infection.

Where periodontal disease has already caused tooth loss, dental implants can replace missing teeth once the infection is under control.

How painful is periodontal treatment?

Gum disease treatment may cause some discomfort, but local anaesthetic minimises this, and sedation is available for anxious patients. Over-the-counter pain relief usually covers any soreness afterwards.

It’s not considered one of the more painful dental procedures, and most patients find it far more manageable than expected – often less uncomfortable than the untreated infection itself.

Surgery follows the same principle: numbed throughout, with manageable recovery discomfort.

Is it worth having periodontal treatment?

Yes – it’s effective in most cases, especially with early diagnosis.

A course of deep cleaning typically brings significant improvement in gum health, and periodontal treatment can prevent tooth loss and bone damage caused by gum disease. It’s usually carried out over one or two appointments, with a follow-up review a few weeks later, and regular maintenance visits afterwards help stop it from recurring.

Why Have Periodontal Treatment?

It’s a way to deeply clean the teeth and pockets of the gums through a scaling and root planing technique. This helps to treat gum disease and manage periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can damage the soft tissues around the teeth. If the infection isn’t treated, it’s possible to lose teeth and the underlying bone. Our London dentists take periodontal treatment very seriously and will do all they can to care for your mouth, teeth and gums.

Preventing gum disease

Brush twice a day, floss daily, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay – an electric toothbrush can help too. Regular visits to a dental hygienist are essential, since only a professional can remove hardened tartar. Our specialist periodontist, Dr Kourkouta, sees patients across the full range of gum disease severity.

A healthy diet and cutting down or quitting smoking also go a long way in protecting your gums long term, alongside regular dental check-ups.

If you have a condition such as diabetes, keeping it well managed alongside your GP also reduces your risk of periodontal disease progressing.

Talk to our London dentists

Whether you’ve noticed early gingivitis symptoms or you’re worried about more advanced gum disease, early treatment gives you the best chance of a healthy smile.

Once your gums are back on track, treatments like teeth whitening or dental implants (for any teeth lost to advanced disease) are worth considering.

See our gum and periodontal treatment page for more on our services.