Gum Treatment

Gum Treatment

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is a common condition caused by a build-up of bacteria (plaque) on your teeth and along the gumline. It starts as gingivitis, where your gums become red, swollen, and may bleed when you brush or floss. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form that damages the bone supporting your teeth, leading to loose teeth and eventually tooth loss.

Because gum disease is often painless, it can progress significantly before you notice, making regular dental check-ups essential.

Understanding Gum Disease and Gum Treatment

  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Bleeding when brushing or flossing
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Gums pulling away from the teeth (receding gums)
  • Loose teeth or changes in bite
  • Pus between teeth and gums
  • The primary goal of gum treatment is to remove the bacteria, plaque, and hardened deposits (calculus/tartar) from your teeth and below the gumline to control inflammation and allow your gums to heal.

    Treatment typically involves:

    1. Scaling: Your dentist or hygienist carefully removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gumline using specialised instruments.
    2. Root planing: The root surfaces of your teeth are smoothed to help remove bacteria and to encourage the gums to reattach to the tooth.
    3. Local anaesthetic: A numbing agent is often used to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
    4. Oral hygiene instruction: You will receive personalised advice on brushing technique, flossing, and other cleaning aids to help you maintain healthy gums at home.

    After treatment, a healing period of four or more weeks is expected. Some temporary sensitivity is normal and usually improves with good home care. A follow-up appointment will be arranged to check how your gums have responded.

  • Prevents tooth loss: Untreated gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
  • Protect your overall health: Research increasingly shows links between gum disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease promotes inflammation that can affect other parts of your body. Treating gum disease can help reduce systemic inflammatory markers.
  • Improves diabetes management: Gum disease and diabetes influence each other. Managing gum disease can help improve blood sugar control, and good blood sugar control helps protect your gums.
  • Stops disease progression: Early treatment prevents mild gum disease from advancing to more severe stages that may require surgery.
  • Brush twice daily for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Clean between your teeth daily with floss or appropriately sized interdental brushes
  • Attend regular dental check-ups and professional cleans
  • Avoid smoking, which significantly worsens gum disease
  • Maintain a balanced diet
  • After your initial treatment, regular maintenance visits (typically every 3 to 4 months) are important for keeping your gums healthy and preventing disease from returning. Your dental team will work with you to find the best schedule for your needs.

At MedCentral Dental, We Accept All Health Funds!

We Are Preferred Providers for

Get in touch

Dr Raymond AU

Principal Dentist

Speaks English and Vietnamese

Born and raised in Melbourne, Dr Raymond has spent several years working across both private and public practices in metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria. This diverse experience has strengthened his ability to connect with individuals and families from all walks of life, allowing him to deliver care that feels both personalised and accessible.

With a strong focus on family dentistry, Dr Raymond is experienced in both general and cosmetic dentistry, supporting patients at every stage of life. He is particularly proficient in wisdom teeth extractions, and has a special interest in clear aligner treatment and smile makeovers – including porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges.

Known for his calm and reassuring manner, Dr Raymond is especially attentive to patients who may feel anxious about dental visits. He creates a relaxed, supportive environment designed to ease concerns and build trust over time. His goal is to make every appointment a positive experience and believes that visiting the dentist should feel comfortable, not confronting.

Outside the practice, he enjoys travelling, playing tennis, and spending quality time with family and friends.

×
Dr Emily Pow

Dr Emily was born in Melbourne and was raised in the local Knox area. She previously worked in private practices across Melbourne, and has worked for the public sector at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne.

She also gained a significant amount of experience working previously as the Hospital Dental Officer at Monash Medical Centre where she treated medically compromised, special needs and cancer patients.

She enjoys most aspects of dentistry including cosmetic dentistry and working with children. She has a special interest in the area of orthodontics (braces, clear aligners and early intervention) and can provide Myobrace treatment.

Dr Emily is currently undergoing a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics to further her passion in this area.

She loves helping her patients with clear aligner treatment so that they can smile confidently.

In her spare time, Dr Emily enjoys going out for good food, spending time with family and going on nature walks with her dog Chino.

×
Dr Lilian Phu

Dr Lilian Phu graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) and Doctor of Dental Surgery. Her passion for helping people achieve their dental and oral health goals is reflected by the quality, care and attention she gives to each patient she encounters. Additionally, her friendly and bubbly nature will be sure to bring a smile on anyone’s face.

Dr Lilian is also a preclinical supervisor for dental students at Melbourne University, sharing her knowledge with the future generation of dentists.

In order to deliver the best dental care to her patients, she regularly attends continuing education courses and is currently undertaking a two-year postgraduate course in orthodontics. Dr Lilian has a special interest in implants and clear aligner treatment, and can talk to you about how you can improve your smile.

Outside of dentistry, she enjoys digital drawing and spending time with her loved ones including a dog and three cats.

×
Dr Edward Wang

Speaks English

Education:

Edward is a kind and caring dentist who is dedicated to providing his patients with high quality dental care while prioritizing patient comfort to ensure that his patients have a positive experience.

Edward believes in taking a more patient-centered approach to dental care, whether it be by providing information to patients about prevention of dental disease, or by providing and explaining all available treatment options so that patients can be fully informed about their oral healthcare.

Outside of work, you’ll find Edward playing volleyball or in the kitchen as he enjoys cooking dishes from many different cuisines from around the world.

×