Gum disease starts as gingivitis. Plaque along the gumline makes the gums red, puffy and prone to bleeding when you brush or floss. At this stage the damage is fully reversible with a professional clean and better home care. If plaque and tartar stay in place, the inflammation can move deeper and become periodontitis. The gum detaches from the tooth, pockets form, and the bone that holds the tooth slowly shrinks. Bad breath, receding gums, new gaps between teeth and teeth that feel loose are typical later signs.
Treatment is led by Dr. Mariam Khalil, our specialist periodontist, at our Trade Centre clinic. The first step is a full periodontal chart. She gently measures the depth of the pocket around every tooth at six points, notes bleeding, recession and mobility, and checks bone levels on X-rays. Healthy pockets are usually 1–3 mm deep, while 4 mm or more suggests active disease. The chart gives a clear baseline, so you and Dr. Khalil can see in numbers whether your gums are improving after treatment.
Gum health is closely linked to the rest of the body. People with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontitis, and untreated gum infection can make blood sugar harder to control. Smoking and vaping reduce blood flow to the gums, hide bleeding and slow healing, so smokers often find out late. This is why we ask about your medical history and medicines. Periodontitis can be controlled very well, but it does not go away for good. Maintenance visits every three to four months keep it stable.
Benefits
Specialist diagnosis
Pocket charting and X-rays show exactly where the disease is active and how much bone support remains, so treatment targets the teeth that need it instead of relying on guesswork.
Deep cleaning under anaesthetic
Scaling and root planing removes hardened tartar and bacteria from root surfaces below the gumline. Local anaesthetic keeps it comfortable, and we usually treat half of the mouth per visit.
Firmer gums, fresher breath
Once the bacteria are under control, most patients notice less bleeding, less swelling and fresher breath within a few weeks. Pockets often become shallower as the gums tighten around the teeth.
A sound base for other work
Healthy gums are the foundation for crowns, veneers, orthodontics and implants. Treating gum disease first lowers the risk of complications with any dental treatment you plan later.
How treatment works
Periodontal assessment
Dr. Khalil records pocket depths, bleeding, recession and tooth mobility, reviews your X-rays and medical history, then explains the stage of the disease and gives you a written plan with costs.
Deep cleaning
Usually over two visits, each half of the mouth is numbed and cleaned below the gumline with ultrasonic and fine hand instruments. You leave with a personalised home-care routine.
Re-evaluation
About six to eight weeks later we chart the gums again. Most pockets improve. Deeper sites that have not responded may need further cleaning or, occasionally, minor gum surgery.
Maintenance every 3–4 months
Regular periodontal maintenance removes new deposits before they cause damage and tracks your numbers over time. This is the step that keeps the results stable for years.
Is it right for you?
- Gums that bleed when you brush, floss or bite into something hard
- Persistent bad breath, receding gums or teeth that look longer than before
- Teeth that feel loose, drift apart or have new gaps between them
- People with diabetes, smokers, and anyone planning implants, braces or veneers
Your dentists for gum treatment (periodontics)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums only. They bleed and look puffy, but the bone around the teeth is intact, so it can be fully reversed with a professional clean and good home care. Periodontitis means the infection has reached the supporting bone and pockets have formed. Lost bone does not grow back by itself, so treatment aims to stop the disease and keep it stable.
Is deep cleaning painful?
We numb each area with local anaesthetic before cleaning below the gumline, so most patients feel only pressure and vibration. Afterwards the gums may feel tender and the teeth a little sensitive to cold for a few days. A soft toothbrush, warm salt-water rinses and simple painkillers usually help, and sensitivity normally settles within a couple of weeks.
How much does gum treatment cost?
Initial periodontal therapy starts from AED 900 for deep cleaning of a quadrant pair, which is half of your mouth. Most patients need both halves treated. The cost of maintenance and any further treatment is confirmed after the re-evaluation. You can pay in 0% instalments over 3, 6 or 12 months on selected bank credit cards, use Tabby or Tamara, or ask about direct insurance billing at our Trade Centre clinic.
Can gum disease affect my general health?
Research links periodontitis with several conditions, most clearly diabetes. Gum inflammation can make blood sugar harder to control, and poorly controlled diabetes makes gum disease worse. Links with heart disease and some pregnancy complications have also been reported. Treating your gums is one sensible part of looking after your overall health, alongside the care your doctor provides.
Why do I need visits every three to four months?
The bacteria that cause periodontitis start to rebuild inside deep pockets within about three months, even with excellent brushing. Regular maintenance removes them before they cause further bone loss. If your gums stay stable over time, Dr. Khalil may extend the interval. If they do not, we can act early instead of waiting for a tooth to become loose.
