If you’ve ever left a hygiene appointment feeling hopeful, only to notice red, swollen, or bleeding gums again a few days later, you’re not alone.

For many patients, a routine clean is exactly what’s needed to bring the gums back to health.

But when gum disease has progressed beyond the early stages, it can sit deeper under the gumline and begin affecting the tissues and supporting bone structures around the teeth. In those cases, a ‘deep clean’ may not be enough on its own.

And that’s exactly where advanced gum disease treatment comes in: a modern, evidence-led option that is designed to give you the best possible outcome for your smile.

In this article, we’ll explain what’s going on beneath the gumline, what ‘advanced gum disease treatment’ may involve, and how we, at Hartog, approach periodontal care. Read on to learn more about our process, delivered by a team with a wealth of experience and expertise.

 

Periodontal Care: It’s About More Than Just the Gums

At Hartog, periodontal care is dedicated to your overall dental health, including your teeth, gums and supporting bone structures, because they all work together as one.

Periodontal treatments cover a wide range of care relating to the gingival, or gum, tissue and the bones around the teeth’s supporting structures.

Patients may be referred for periodontal care for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Maintenance of gum health
  • Surgical correction of gum position
  • Regeneration of lost bone
  • Crown lengthening before restorative treatment
  • Treatment of peri-implantitis

Periodontal care isn’t only for natural teeth. Our team also treats peri-implantitis, an infection associated with dental implants.

Whatever your needs, the aim is the same: to create a healthier, more stable environment for your teeth and gums.

 

When Gum Disease Progresses: From Gingivitis to Periodontitis

Gum disease usually begins as gingivitis, which is a bacteria-induced inflammation of the gums. When this happens, your gums can become red, swollen and may bleed when you brush or floss.

It’s important that you seek dental support if you notice these developments. When gum disease is left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is a more advanced form of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause:

  • Gums to retreat away from the teeth (receding gums)
  • Unattached gum, or spaces between the tooth and gum, otherwise known as pockets, where bacteria can thrive
  • Bone loss around the teeth
  • Tooth loosening and eventually tooth loss

Although there are some cases that will require more advanced gum disease treatment, the important thing to know is this: thanks to modern dental practices, periodontal gum disease is preventable and treatable in many cases with regular dental visits and good oral care.

 

Why a ‘Deep Clean’ Sometimes isn’t Enough

‘Deep clean’ is a phrase patients hear a lot. As periodontitis is a bacteria-borne infection, the challenge is that bacteria, plaque, calculus and pus can build up above and below the gumline. If the pockets are deeper, it becomes harder to remove these deposits thoroughly, and harder for you to keep the area clean at home.

This is when seeking dental assistance becomes important for your dental health.

 

Gum Recession: Why it Happens and How it’s Managed

Gum recession is another reason patients may seek or be referred to periodontal care. Receding gums may lead to increased sensitivity because the underlying tooth root becomes exposed. They can also be unsightly, impacting both your smile and your confidence.

Receding gums can have multiple contributing factors, including:

Your course of treatment will vary depending on the cause, your gum type and your goals. Your options will be discussed with you in detail during your consultation.

 

Your First Step: A Comprehensive Periodontal Consultation

At Hartog, periodontal treatment planning begins with a thorough initial consultation. This is where we take the time to assess the health of your gums, teeth and surrounding bone structure, so that we can build a detailed, holistic picture of your entire mouth.

Your consultation typically includes:

  • A complete clinical examination
  • Assessing the baseline health of your gums
  • Recording any pocketing, recession or mobility of the teeth
  • Detailed radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate the condition of your tooth and bone structure

This baseline matters. Instead of relying on how things feel day-to-day, it allows us to monitor your healing more accurately, with a detailed oversight on how you’re improving with treatment and ultimately the resolution of the disease over time.

Our periodontal care is delivered with combined expertise across multiple specialities. Dr Maria Evangelidou is our resident specialist periodontist. Maria’s extensive further training, specialist qualifications and wealth of experience support her in delivering the very best care for our patients. Having worked as a periodontist in private practice for over 20 years, know that you’re in safe hands with Maria when being treated for periodontitis at Hartog.

If you have been referred by your dentist, clear communication is all part of our service: the consultation report and quote will be shared with both you, the patient, and the referring dentist. Any further reports will be sent at the end of each course of treatment, keeping all parties informed every step of the way.

 

Modern Periodontal Options: What Advanced Gum Disease Treatment Can Involve

Once we understand what’s happening beneath the surface, we can talk you through the most suitable options for you. Everyone’s different, so treatment will vary from patient to patient.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, so you feel equipped to make the right decisions for your personal care.

Broadly, treatments may include:

  • Non-surgical periodontal treatment (most commonly)
  • Surgical periodontal treatment (only when needed, and carefully planned)

Let’s break these down:

 

Non-surgical treatment: Root Surface Debridement (RSD)

One of the main types of treatment is non-surgical Root Surface Debridement (RSD).

This deep cleaning procedure is designed to remove the source of infection, including plaque and calculus, from above and below the gumline. This creates smooth tooth roots, helping the gums to reattach and effectively reduce pocket depths.

 

When surgery is recommended: reducing pockets or regenerating tissue and bone

Sometimes, the gum pockets are too deep to manage effectively, or there’s a need to address more advanced tissue and bone changes.

In those cases, surgical periodontal treatment may be advised. The aim of surgical options is typically to:

  • Reduce gum pockets, making the area more maintainable long-term
  • Regenerate lost tissue and bone where appropriate
  • Achieve a healthier, more stable mouth environment

The difference is that sometimes a surgical approach is the best route, rather than relying solely on root surface cleaning. Your clinician will explain why surgery is (or isn’t) recommended in your specific case, what the procedure involves, and how it supports the long-term health of the teeth and gums.

 

Your Risk Factors Matter: Tailored Advice, Not Generic Warnings

A major advantage of a dedicated consultation is that it allows your clinician to discuss risk factors that may predispose you to periodontal disease. These can include:

  • Lifestyle choices
  • Certain medications
  • General health issues
  • Genetics

This isn’t about blame; it’s all about understanding what might be influencing your gum health and creating a plan that gives you the best chance of long-term stability.

We recognise the importance of early detection and early treatment, because intervening sooner usually means simpler treatment paths and a healthier smile.

 

Aftercare and Follow-Up: Protecting Your Results

Aftercare is an essential part of periodontal treatment. Following the specific care instructions you’re given helps promote healing and maintain good oral health.

Our specialist team will go through the aftercare instructions in detail at your appointment and provide anything you may need. Regular follow-up visits are also essential to:

  • Monitor healing
  • Check that treatment is working as intended
  • Decide if any further treatment is needed
  • Support long-term stability

This is also where your recorded baseline becomes especially valuable; it allows you and your clinician to see the progress clearly.

 

When Should You Book a Consultation?

If you’re noticing persistent bleeding, swelling, gum recession, or you’ve been told you have pockets or bone loss, it’s worth arranging an assessment.

Advanced gum disease treatment is about matching the treatment to what your gums and supporting structures actually need, so you can protect your teeth for the long term.

 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

At Hartog, we’re dedicated to delivering the very best and technically advanced dental care, drawing on the combined expertise of highly trained clinicians across multiple specialities.

If you’re concerned about bleeding gums, gum recession, or ongoing inflammation, please get in touch with us today to book your comprehensive periodontal consultation.