VisitsOne to three visits
ThenCleanings every 3–4 months
If neededGum surgery done in-house
In short
Gum care is the check, cleaning and follow-up that treats gum disease, from early gingivitis to periodontitis where the bone around the teeth is affected. Gum disease rarely hurts until it is advanced, so bleeding when you brush is the sign to act on.
Does this sound like you?
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss, even a little.
- Gums look red or puffy, or feel tender along the edge of the teeth.
- Bad breath or a bad taste that brushing does not fix.
- Teeth look longer because the gums have pulled back from them.
- A tooth feels loose, or a hygienist has told you your gums need attention.
The four stages of gum health
Gum disease moves in steps. The earlier the step, the simpler the fix and the more of it can be undone.
- Healthy gums
Nothing to treat. A regular cleaning every six months keeps it that way.
- You notice: pink, firm gums that do not bleed when you brush or floss.
- We see: pockets of 1 to 3 mm around each tooth and no bone loss on X-rays.
- Treatment: none, just routine cleanings and a gum check at each exam.
- ReversibleGingivitis
Only the gum is inflamed, so it usually clears fully once the plaque is gone and daily cleaning keeps it off.
- You notice: a little blood on the brush or floss, gums that look puffy or dark red at the edge.
- We see: bleeding when we probe, tartar along the gum line, but normal bone on X-rays.
- Treatment: a thorough cleaning here, then two to four weeks of careful brushing and flossing at home.
- ManageableEarly periodontitis
The bone has started to go, and it will not grow back. Treated now, it usually stops here and stays stable.
- You notice: often nothing new, though gums may pull back a little and breath may turn.
- We see: pockets of 4 to 5 mm and early bone loss on X-rays.
- Treatment: scaling and root planing with the area numbed, then a re-check and cleanings every three to four months.
- Needs treatmentAdvanced periodontitis
Bone loss is well along and some teeth may not be saveable. Treatment aims to hold what is left, not to undo it.
- You notice: teeth that feel loose or have shifted, gums pulled well back, pus or a bad taste, chewing that feels different.
- We see: pockets of 6 mm or more and clear bone loss around several teeth.
- Treatment: deep cleaning first, often gum surgery to reach the deepest pockets, done in-house at 5105 Hurontario; teeth that cannot be kept are removed and replaced.
What actually helps at home
Five habits carry most of the weight. Two common ones do less than people think.
Brush at the gum line, twice a daySoft brush, angled slightly into the edge where the tooth meets the gum. Two minutes, no rush.
Clean between your teeth every dayFloss or small interdental brushes reach the third of each tooth a toothbrush misses. Early bleeding usually settles within a couple of weeks if you keep going.
Do not smoke or vapeSmoking hides bleeding, slows healing and makes treatment work less well. It is the biggest risk you control.
Keep the shorter cleaning scheduleAfter treatment, the three-to-four-month visits do the part a brush cannot. Skipping them is how pockets deepen quietly.
Manage diabetes and dry mouthHigh blood sugar and a dry mouth both feed gum disease. Tell us about your conditions and medications so we can plan around them.
Does little: brushing harderPressure does not remove more plaque. It wears the gum back and scrubs away enamel near the root.
Does little: mouthwash instead of flossingRinsing freshens breath but does not lift plaque from below the gum. Fine as an extra, not a substitute.
What happens.
First visit to finish, in order.
One to three visitsCleanings every 3–4 monthsGum surgery done in-house
- Gum checkDr. Malik measures the space between each tooth and gum with a small probe and takes X-rays to see the bone. This shows whether you have gingivitis, which affects only the gum, or periodontitis, where bone has been lost.
- Cleaning or deep cleaningGingivitis usually needs a thorough cleaning and better home care. Periodontitis needs scaling and root planing: with the area numbed, we clean tartar from below the gum line and smooth the roots so the gum can reattach, usually one side of the mouth per visit.
- Healing and reviewA few weeks later we measure the gums again and check for bleeding. Most people see less bleeding and tighter gums by this point.
- Maintenance visitsAfter gum treatment, cleanings usually move to every three to four months instead of six. This keeps bacteria from building up below the gum line again.
- Gum surgery if neededIf deep pockets remain after cleaning, the next step is gum surgery to reach and clean them, done here in the office with nitrous oxide if you want it.
Cost and insurance.
A gum check is part of a regular exam. Deep cleaning is billed by the time it takes and usually spreads over two or more visits. Most dental plans cover part of scaling and maintenance cleanings, often up to a yearly limit. We bill your insurance directly. You see the estimate in writing before anything starts. No insurance? We tell you the cost up front.
Questions people ask.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis usually can, with a proper cleaning and daily brushing and flossing. Periodontitis cannot be undone because lost bone does not grow back, but it can be stopped and kept stable with treatment and regular maintenance.
Does a deep cleaning hurt?
We numb the area properly and stop if you need a break. Gums are often tender for a day or two afterwards, and teeth can feel sensitive to cold for a short while as the gums tighten.
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding usually means the gum is inflamed by plaque sitting along the edge of the tooth. It is not a reason to stop flossing; it is a reason to have your gums checked.
Will I need to see a specialist for gum surgery?
Usually not. Dr. Malik does gum surgery himself at 5105 Hurontario and refers to a periodontist only when a case calls for it.