Assess the gum condition
The dentist reviews plaque and deposits, gum bleeding, pocketing, recession and tooth movement. Appropriate imaging may help assess bone support. Smoking, diabetes and other health factors are relevant. Gum disease can progress with limited pain, so symptoms alone do not show its severity.
Initial treatment and home care
Professional cleaning and detailed hygiene instruction are often the starting point. More advanced disease may need deeper treatment and selected surgery after reassessment. The plan considers both the diseased sites and your ability to maintain them. A mouthwash does not replace effective cleaning or indicated treatment.
When teeth are loose or missing
The team assesses which teeth can be maintained and whether stabilisation or restoration is needed. Disease control is important before implants or complex cosmetic care. Extraction is discussed where support and prognosis make preservation unreasonable, with replacement options explained separately.
