Gum Disease in Johannesburg: The Signs You're Ignoring, and What Modern Treatment Actually Looks Like
Bleeding gums, bad breath and receding gum lines are not normal. A clear guide to gingivitis, periodontitis, deep-cleaning treatment and what a Johannesburg dentist can do at each stage.
If your gums bleed when you brush, your gums are not fine. Healthy gums do not bleed. This is the single most under-reported early sign of gum disease in adults.
Stage one: gingivitis
Reversible. Caused by plaque sitting along the gum line. Signs: red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, occasional bad breath. Treatment: a proper scale and polish, better home cleaning technique, done.
Stage two: early periodontitis
The infection has moved below the gum line and started to affect the bone that holds your teeth in place. This stage is manageable but no longer fully reversible. Signs: gums that recede, teeth that look longer, persistent bad breath, occasional sensitivity.
Stage three: advanced periodontitis
Significant bone loss. Teeth start to loosen. Without treatment, teeth are eventually lost. Reachable but the goal shifts from cure to stabilisation.
What modern treatment looks like
- •Full periodontal charting, we measure the depth of every pocket around every tooth
- •Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) under local anaesthetic, per quadrant
- •Antimicrobial rinse or gel where indicated
- •3 to 6 month recall schedule for the first year
- •Referral to a periodontist for advanced cases
Risk factors that make it worse
- •Smoking (single biggest modifiable risk)
- •Diabetes, controlled or otherwise
- •Family history of tooth loss under 60
- •Pregnancy, hormonal changes make gums more reactive
Access Care Dental screens for gum disease at every cleaning appointment, at our Parktown rooms and on every mobile visit across Johannesburg. If your gums have been bleeding for months, book a check. There is no such thing as normal bleeding gums.