FAQ

Periodontal

How is gum treatment performed?

Gum (periodontal) treatment is typically done in stages. 1) First, we use scaling to remove the tartar above the gum line. 2) Then, after lo

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Periodontal

My gums seem to have receded after gum treatment. Why?

There is no need to worry. The gum, which was swollen due to inflammation, is now returning to its original level as the swelling goes down

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Periodontal

I have bleeding and sensitivity after gum treatment. Is this normal?

Yes, this is a natural, temporary reaction right after treatment. As the inflamed tissue is removed, you may see some blood when brushing or

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Periodontal

Can peri-implantitis be treated?

Yes, peri-implantitis can be treated, with the approach depending on the stage. 1) In the early stage (gum inflammation only), it can often

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Periodontal

If gum inflammation improves, will tooth mobility also decrease?

Yes, when a tooth is loose due to acute inflammation, it often firms up as the inflammation resolves after periodontal treatment. However, i

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Periodontal

How many sessions of gum treatment are needed?

Gum treatment is usually performed by dividing the mouth into 2 to 6 sections, so you will typically need 2 to 4 visits. Each session takes

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Periodontal

Are there special methods for gum care?

The key to gum care is brushing after meals together with cleaning between the teeth using floss or interdental brushes. 1) Brush 2 to 3 tim

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Periodontal

Does gum treatment hurt? Is anesthesia used?

When removing deep tartar beneath the gum line, the procedure can be uncomfortable, so we use local anesthesia and you will feel little to n

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Periodontal

What's the difference between scaling and gum treatment?

Scaling is a preventive procedure that removes tartar visible above the gum line, while gum treatment (periodontal treatment) removes tartar

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Periodontal

A white blister or pimple-like bump has appeared on my gum.

It is most likely a fistula - a channel through which pus from inflammation at the root tip drains into the gum. While the pus is draining t

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Periodontal

Is there surgery to build gum tissue back where the gums have receded?

Yes, there is a gum graft (root coverage) procedure that covers receded gums. Tissue is usually taken from the palate and grafted onto the r

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Periodontal

Can gum medications alone cure gum disease?

Gum medication alone does not cure gum disease. The cause is tartar and the bacterial film attached between tooth and gum, and medication ca

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Periodontal

Does brushing hard make your gums recede? (cervical abrasion)

Yes, scrubbing hard from side to side can cause cervical abrasion - a notch worn into the neck of the tooth - along with gum recession. The

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Periodontal

Does rinsing with salt water help when your gums are swollen?

We do not recommend it. Salt water mixed at the right concentration cannot replace treatment, though it may bring temporary relief. Concentr

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Periodontal

Can periodontal disease be cured completely?

Periodontal (gum) disease is closer to a condition you manage continuously, like diabetes. Treatment can stop the inflammation and halt its

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Periodontal

Is smoking bad for the gums?

Yes, smoking is one of the leading risk factors for gum health. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the gums, lowering circulation and

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Periodontal

Pus is coming from my gum.

Pus in the gum does not clear up on its own, so please come in as soon as possible. The cause is broadly either 1) a periodontal abscess fro

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Periodontal

Should gum treatment be repeated periodically like scaling?

Yes, periodic supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) is needed after gum treatment. Periodontitis is not a disease that ends with a single cou

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Periodontal

Will receded gums grow back after gum treatment?

Once gums have receded, gum treatment alone will not bring them back to their original height. The goal of gum treatment is to stop the infl

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Periodontal

Is a gum graft normally this painful? Why do I need this treatment?

Yes - because a gum graft takes tissue from the palate, that area typically feels raw, like a burn, and it usually settles gradually over 1

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