Gum disease treatment · Malanshof, Randburg
Gums that bleed when you brush
A little pink in the basin is so common that people call it normal. It isn’t — bleeding is the gum’s distress signal, and the earlier it’s checked, the more of the damage can still be turned around.
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Call nowWhy it happens
Gum disease starts with plaque — the soft film that builds along the gum line every day. Where it sits undisturbed, it hardens into tartar, and the gum beside it becomes inflamed: red, puffy, quick to bleed. That early stage is gingivitis, and it’s completely reversible.
Left alone, the inflammation creeps deeper: the gum pulls away from the tooth, forming pockets a brush can’t reach, and the bone underneath slowly follows. That deeper stage — periodontitis — is why gum disease, not decay, is the biggest reason adults lose teeth. It’s mostly painless while it happens, which is exactly what makes it dangerous.
How we fix it
First we measure where you actually stand, gently checking the gum around each tooth — then we show you what we found in plain language, with no guilt attached. Bleeding gums are a starting point, not a verdict.
Early gum disease usually turns around with a thorough professional clean and better home care — often one visit, and your gums can feel different within weeks. Deeper pockets need a deeper clean along the roots, done under local anaesthetic and usually split over two visits. Advanced cases we manage rather than cure — honest maintenance every few months that protects what you have. Either way, you’ll know your stage and your plan before we start.
Keeping it fixed
The clean gets your gums back to a fair start — home care is what decides the rematch:
- Clean between your teeth every day, with floss or interdental brushes — gum disease starts precisely where the toothbrush doesn’t reach.
- Brush gently along the gum line twice a day with a soft brush: the gum line, not just the teeth, is the target.
- Don’t stop when you see blood — bleeding gums need more gentle cleaning, not less, and it usually settles within a week or two of proper care.
- Keep the maintenance visits we map out for you: gums that have had disease need closer watching than gums that haven’t.
What it costs
Medical aid rates. We quote before we treat.
Once we’ve measured your gums, you’ll have a quote for exactly the stage you’re at — before any treatment starts.
Questions patients ask
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding means the gum is inflamed — usually by plaque along the gum line. Often that’s gingivitis, the early stage, which a proper clean and better home care can fully reverse. But long-standing bleeding can also mean the deeper stage — worth an examination rather than a guess.
Is gum disease curable?
The early stage — gingivitis — is completely reversible. The deeper stage, periodontitis, can’t be undone, but it can be stopped and managed so you keep your teeth. The honest difference is timing, which is why bleeding gums are worth acting on now.
What does gum disease treatment involve?
It depends on your stage. Early gum disease usually turns around with a thorough professional clean and better home care — often one visit. Deeper pockets need a deeper clean along the roots, under local anaesthetic, usually split over two visits.
Should I stop brushing where my gums bleed?
No — do the opposite, gently. Bleeding gums need more careful cleaning, not less: a soft brush along the gum line and daily cleaning between the teeth. With proper care the bleeding usually settles within a week or two; if it doesn’t, come and see us.
Can gum disease make me lose my teeth?
Yes — gum disease, not decay, is the biggest reason adults lose teeth. The inflammation quietly weakens the gum and bone holding teeth in place, mostly without pain. The good news: caught early it’s reversible, and caught late it can still be stopped.
How much does gum disease treatment cost?
We quote before we treat, at medical aid rates. First we measure your gums to see exactly what stage you’re at, then you get a quote for that stage — nothing more — before anything starts. Call or WhatsApp and the front desk will confirm what your plan covers.
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