Gum Disease Treatment
Scarborough

What are the stages of gum disease?

Gum disease starts as gingivitis — red, bleeding gums with no bone loss — which is completely reversible with professional cleaning and better home care. If ignored, it progresses to periodontitis, where pockets form between the teeth and gums and supporting bone begins to break down. In advanced periodontitis, teeth become loose and may be lost. The earlier it is caught, the simpler and more successful the treatment.

Can gum disease be reversed?

Gingivitis can be fully reversed — bleeding stops and gums return to health once the irritants are removed. Periodontitis cannot be “cured” in the sense of regrowing lost bone on its own, but it can absolutely be controlled and stabilized with deep cleaning and ongoing maintenance. To be honest, the key is acting early: the damage already done will not undo itself, but further damage can be stopped.

What is scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)?

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning done below the gumline, where regular cleanings cannot reach. After numbing the area for your comfort, we carefully remove hardened tartar and bacteria from the tooth roots and smooth the root surfaces so gums can reattach more tightly. It is usually completed in one or two visits, with only mild soreness afterward that settles within a few days.

How do I know if I need gum treatment or just a regular cleaning?

Warning signs include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, receding gums, or teeth that feel slightly loose. At AF Dental we also measure the pocket depths around each tooth — healthy pockets are shallow, while deep pockets signal disease that home care alone cannot fix. A proper exam, not guesswork, determines which treatment you need.

Will my gums stop bleeding after treatment?

In most cases, yes — bleeding should noticeably reduce within one to two weeks as the gums heal and inflammation settles. Continued bleeding after that point is a signal to come back so we can reassess, since it may mean deeper areas need attention or home-care technique needs adjusting. Healthy gums should not bleed during normal brushing and flossing.

Does CDCP cover gum disease treatment?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers eligible patients for services such as scaling and other periodontal treatments according to its fee guide — but coverage is never automatic or full, and an eligibility assessment comes first. The percentage covered follows the CDCP fee guide and may not match the full fee. AF Dental direct-bills CDCP for eligible treatments, and our Scarborough team will give you an exact written quote before any treatment begins.

Comprehensive dental solutions in Scarborough: From preventative cleanings and exams to complex restorative surgery and dental implants. Trust AF Dental for specialized, comfortable family dentistry.