Stops the symptoms
Eases the bleeding, soreness and swelling that come with inflamed gums.
Gum Health
Gum disease treatment, because bleeding gums are not normal
Bleeding gums are not normal. They are usually the first sign of gum disease, and caught early it can often be reversed. We treat gum disease at Day Night Dental in central Glasgow, and we are open day and night, every day.
The Treatment
Catching gum disease before it spreads
Gum disease is one of the most common conditions dentists see, and most adults will have some degree of it at some point in their lives. Because the early stage rarely causes pain, it is easy to miss until it has taken hold. Bleeding when you brush is the signal to act: healthy gums do not bleed, and the sooner the inflammation is dealt with, the less chance it has to reach the bone that supports your teeth. Left untreated, gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss.
There are two stages worth knowing. The first is gingivitis, where the gums are inflamed but the bone is still intact. This stage can often be reversed with a professional clean and better habits at home. The second is periodontitis, where the disease has reached the bone and started to break it down. Periodontitis cannot be undone, but treatment aims to stop it progressing and keep it stable. We will explain which stage you are at and what that means for you.
If you have noticed bleeding, soreness or a change in how your teeth feel, it is worth getting checked sooner rather than later. You will find us at 80 Hutcheson Street in the Merchant City, a short stroll from Queen Street and Argyle Street stations and the St Enoch subway, so it is easy to call in on the way to or from work in the city centre. And if it has been years since you last sat in a dental chair, you are in good company. We look after nervous patients every week, and however long it has been, you will get a plan, not a lecture.
Is This You?
Pink in the sink, or sore, swollen gums?
Bleeding gums are easy to brush off, but they are usually the first sign of gum disease. In the early stage it rarely hurts, so a little pink in the sink when you brush, or breath that is not as fresh as it should be, is often the only warning you get.
Caught early, gingivitis can usually be reversed. Left alone, gum disease can quietly damage the bone that holds your teeth in place. If any of this sounds familiar, it is worth getting your gums checked.
One thing that should not wait: if your gum is swollen and throbbing, or there is a bad taste that will not go away, that can mean an abscess rather than everyday gum disease. Do not sit on it, our emergency dentist service exists for exactly that.
Why Patients Choose It
Why treating it early matters
Protects your teeth
Helps protect the bone and the teeth you still have, reducing the risk of losing them.
Tackles bad breath
Addresses the bad breath that often comes from bacteria under the gumline.
A clear routine
Gives you a home routine that helps keep the problem under control between visits.
Caught early
Catching problems early means they are usually simpler and gentler to treat.
Keeps options open
Healthy, stable gums keep your future options open. Treatments like implants and cosmetic work all depend on a sound foundation.
How It Works
How we treat your gums
01
Assessment
We examine your gums and measure the small spaces, called pockets, between each tooth and the gum. We may take X-rays to check the bone below the gumline. This tells us where you stand and how far the disease has gone.
02
Cleaning above the gumline
We remove the plaque and hardened tartar you cannot shift with a toothbrush. For mild gingivitis, this plus better home care is often enough.
03
Root surface debridement
For deeper pockets, we clean below the gumline along the roots of the teeth, where bacteria collect out of reach. This is the core of treatment for periodontitis. We can use local anaesthetic to numb the area before cleaning below the gumline.
04
Tailored home routine
We show you how to clean the specific spots that are letting you down, usually with interdental brushes or floss alongside normal brushing. This part matters as much as anything we do in the chair.
05
Review
We see you again, usually around two to three months after the deeper cleaning, to re-measure the pockets and check the gums are settling down. This tells us whether the treatment has worked and what needs to happen next.
06
Ongoing maintenance
Some people stay healthy on a normal check-up recall. Others need more frequent cleans, often every three to four months, to help keep things stable.
Aftercare
Aftercare and maintenance
How your gums respond depends a lot on what happens after treatment. Here is what to expect and what your part looks like.
The first few days
- Your gums may feel tender and your teeth a little sensitive, especially to hot and cold. This is normal and settles within a few days.
- Keep brushing gently, even where it feels tender. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help while things settle.
- If you smoke, try not to while your gums are healing. Smoking slows gum healing and blunts the benefit of the treatment.
The first few weeks
- Stick to the home routine we give you. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth every day.
- If we recommend a mouthwash, use it exactly as directed and only for as long as advised.
- This is when the gums do most of their healing, and your habits decide how well they recover.
Long term
- This is the most important phase. Gum disease does not stay away on its own.
- It is held in check by consistent home care and regular professional cleans.
- Coming back for maintenance on the schedule we agree is what helps keep your gums stable for the long run. Miss it, and the disease can quietly creep back.
Honest considerations
What to weigh up before you start
Gingivitis, the early stage, can often be reversed. Periodontitis, the advanced stage, cannot. Once bone is lost it does not grow back. Treatment aims to stop the disease progressing and keep it stable, but we cannot cure advanced gum disease.
Treatment is a journey, not a one-off fix. The deep clean is just the start. Without ongoing maintenance and good home care, the problem tends to come back.
Smoking makes gum disease worse and slows healing. We will not pretend otherwise. Cutting down or stopping makes a real difference to how your gums respond.
Most people are treated without surgery. If deep pockets do not respond to root surface debridement, gum surgery can help in a minority of cases, and where the disease is advanced we can arrange a referral for specialist periodontal care. We will explain what either would involve before anything is decided.
If a tooth has already been loosened beyond saving, a planned extraction with a clear plan for the gap is sometimes the kindest option. Replacements such as dental implants are possible later, but they need healthy, stable gums to succeed, which is one more reason to start treatment now.
Results depend partly on you. The work we do in the chair only lasts if it is backed up by daily cleaning at home.
Common Questions
Gum disease questions, answered
What is gum disease and what causes it?
Gum disease is inflammation of the gums caused mainly by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth. If plaque is not cleaned away it irritates the gums and, over time, can spread to the bone holding the teeth. Smoking, diabetes, certain medicines, pregnancy and family history can all make it more likely.
What are the signs I should watch for?
The most common sign is bleeding when you brush or clean between your teeth. Others include red, swollen or sore gums, persistent bad breath, gums that look like they are shrinking back from the teeth, and in later stages teeth that feel loose or have shifted. Early gum disease is often painless, so do not wait for pain before getting checked.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the early stage. The gums are inflamed but the bone is still healthy, and it can often be reversed. Periodontitis is the advanced stage, where the disease has reached the bone and started to break it down. Periodontitis cannot be reversed, but it can be managed and kept stable.
Is gum disease curable?
The early stage, gingivitis, can often be cleared up completely. The advanced stage, periodontitis, cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. With treatment and good ongoing care, we aim to stop it getting worse and keep your gums and teeth stable.
Does the treatment hurt?
Most people find it more comfortable than they expect. For cleaning below the gumline we can use local anaesthetic to numb the area while we work. Afterwards your gums may feel tender for a few days, which usually eases quickly.
How often will I need to come back?
After treatment we will agree a maintenance plan with you. Some people are fine on a normal recall. Many with a history of gum disease do better coming back every three to four months for a professional clean, so problems can be caught before they take hold again.
Can I stop gum disease coming back?
You can help keep it under control. The key is daily cleaning at home, brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth, plus regular maintenance visits. If you smoke, cutting down or stopping helps a great deal. Well-managed gum disease is far less likely to lead to tooth loss, though outcomes vary from person to person.
My gum is swollen and throbbing. Is that an emergency?
It can be. A swollen, throbbing gum, especially with a bad taste, a lump on the gum or a fever, can mean a gum abscess, which needs prompt attention rather than a routine slot. While you wait to be seen, rinse gently with warm salty water, take painkillers as directed on the pack, and keep the area as clean as you comfortably can. You can call us any time, day or night. We hold same-day emergency slots every day and aim to see you quickly. If you cannot reach a dentist, NHS 24 on 111 can advise out of hours.
Can you help with receding gums?
We can help manage them. Recession is often linked to gum disease or heavy-handed brushing, and although gum tissue does not grow back on its own, treating the cause can stop it getting worse. Exposed root surfaces can be sensitive, and there are simple ways to ease that, from toothpastes for sensitive teeth to protective treatments applied in the chair. In a small number of cases specialist gum grafting may be an option, and we can talk you through whether a referral makes sense.
How much does gum disease treatment cost?
Every mouth is different, so the honest answer is that it depends on you: how far the disease has progressed, how many teeth are involved, how many visits of deeper cleaning you need, and how often you will need maintenance afterwards. At your consultation the dentist will go through your options and the cost of each, and you will get a written, itemised quote before anything is agreed. Nothing goes ahead until you are happy.
Is gum disease treatment available on the NHS in Scotland?
NHS dental examinations are free for everyone in Scotland. NHS dental treatment is free if you are under 26, pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months, or qualify for a low-income exemption. Whether a particular course of gum treatment is provided on the NHS or privately depends on your circumstances, so ask when you book and we will explain your options and what each would involve.
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