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Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth

It is caused by a build-up of plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and along the gumline.

  • Highly skilled hygiene team on-site
  • Referral network for complex cases
good oral health

Left untreated, it can lead to bleeding gums, receding gums, loose teeth, and ultimately tooth loss. It is also linked to wider health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and complications in pregnancy. Despite being extremely common, the reassuring thing about gum disease is this: caught early, it is almost always reversible.

There are two stages of gum disease:

  • Gingivitis is the earlier, milder form, where the gums become inflamed, tender, and prone to bleeding. At this stage, the damage is entirely reversible with the right care and a thorough hygiene appointment.
  • Periodontitis is the more advanced stage, where the infection has spread below the gumline and begun to affect the bone and connective tissue supporting the teeth. This requires more involved treatment, but with the right approach, its progression can be halted, and its effects managed effectively.

At Berkhamsted Dental Practice, gum health is assessed at every routine check-up as standard. Our dentists are well-versed in identifying the early signs of gum disease, often before patients are even aware of a problem, and our hygiene team is here to treat it. Where a case is more complex, we have a trusted network of specialist partners to whom we can refer.

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About treatment

How to maintain gum health?

Gum health is assessed at every routine check-up, without exception, and our trained hygiene team offers targeted treatment for all stages of gum disease. Early detection means simpler treatment and better outcomes, and we have a specialist referral network for complex or advanced cases.

How to maintain gum health

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the earliest and most reliable signs of gingivitis. Bleeding gums are never normal and should always be investigated.

Healthy gums are pale pink and firm. Redness, puffiness or tenderness around the gumline is a sign of inflammation and warrants attention.

If your teeth appear longer than they used to or if you notice gaps forming between the teeth and gumline, gum recession may have begun. This is a sign that periodontitis may be present.

Halitosis that does not resolve with normal brushing can be a sign of bacterial activity below the gumline, a common feature of gum disease.

In more advanced cases, teeth may feel loose or begin to move. This indicates that the supporting bone has been affected and requires prompt attention.

Bleeding gums

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the earliest and most reliable signs of gingivitis. Bleeding gums are never normal and should always be investigated.

Red, swollen or tender gums

Healthy gums are pale pink and firm. Redness, puffiness or tenderness around the gumline is a sign of inflammation and warrants attention.

Receding gums

If your teeth appear longer than they used to or if you notice gaps forming between the teeth and gumline, gum recession may have begun. This is a sign that periodontitis may be present.

Persistent bad breath

Halitosis that does not resolve with normal brushing can be a sign of bacterial activity below the gumline, a common feature of gum disease.

Loose or shifting teeth

In more advanced cases, teeth may feel loose or begin to move. This indicates that the supporting bone has been affected and requires prompt attention.

Your treatment Journey

From consultation to a confident new smile.

journey-process-consultation

Consultation

Your dentist measures pocket depths and checks for recession, bleeding and bone loss. If a problem is found, we explain clearly and recommend next steps.

journey-process-treatment

Treatment

Where disease has progressed below the gumline, your hygienist carries out a deeper clean of the root surfaces under local anaesthetic.

journey-process-preparation

Review

We check pocket depths, assess healing progress, and refine your home care routine to make sure your gums are responding well to treatment.

journey-process-results

Maintenance

Gum disease can return. We’ll recommend a personalised hygiene schedule to keep your gums stable and catch any recurrence early.

journey-process-consultation

Consultation

Your dentist measures pocket depths and checks for recession, bleeding and bone loss. If a problem is found, we explain clearly and recommend next steps.

journey-process-treatment

Treatment

Where disease has progressed below the gumline, your hygienist carries out a deeper clean of the root surfaces under local anaesthetic.

journey-process-preparation

Review

We check pocket depths, assess healing progress, and refine your home care routine to make sure your gums are responding well to treatment.

journey-process-results

Maintenance

Gum disease can return. We’ll recommend a personalised hygiene schedule to keep your gums stable and catch any recurrence early.

Fees

Fees & pricing.

The cost of gum disease treatment depends on the stage of the condition and the treatment required. Hygiene appointments are the foundation of most gum disease treatment.

A full treatment plan and fee breakdown will be provided before any work begins.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush?

No. Bleeding gums are one of the most common early signs of gum disease, but they are not something to accept as normal. Bleeding is a sign that your gums are inflamed and that bacteria are present below the gumline.

The good news is that at this stage, the condition is almost always reversible with a professional clean and improved home care. We would always encourage you to book an appointment rather than waiting to see if it settles on its own.

Can gum disease affect my overall health?

Yes. There is well-established evidence linking gum disease to several wider health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory conditions, and complications in pregnancy.

The link is thought to be related to chronic inflammation and the spread of bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream. Treating gum disease is not just about protecting your teeth: it is an investment in your general health.

Can gum disease cause tooth loss?

In its advanced form, yes. Periodontitis damages the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If left untreated for long enough, teeth can become loose and ultimately be lost.

This is why early treatment matters: the earlier gum disease is caught and addressed, the lower the risk to your teeth in the long term.

Does gum disease treatment hurt?

Hygiene appointments are generally comfortable. Root surface debridement involves working below the gumline, so local anaesthetic is used to ensure you do not feel discomfort during the procedure.

Mild tenderness or sensitivity in the days afterwards is normal and settles quickly. Our hygienists are experienced in putting patients at ease and will check in with you throughout any treatment.

How many appointments will I need?

This depends on the stage and extent of your gum disease. Mild gingivitis may resolve after one or two hygiene appointments combined with improved brushing and flossing at home.

More advanced periodontitis may require a course of root surface debridement appointments followed by a review. Your dentist or hygienist will give you a clear treatment plan with realistic timelines at your first appointment.

Can gum disease come back after treatment?

It can, which is why ongoing maintenance is so important. Once your gums are stable, we will recommend a personalised schedule of hygiene visits to keep the condition under control.

Patients who have had gum disease are generally advised to see the hygienist more frequently than average, typically every three to four months, to prevent recurrence.

We will also work with you on your home care routine to give you the best chance of keeping your gums healthy between visits.

What can I do at home to help my gum health?

Twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and daily interdental cleaning (with floss or interdental brushes) are the most important things you can do. An electric toothbrush is generally more effective than a manual one at removing plaque at the gumline.

Your hygienist will review your technique at your appointment and recommend any tools or products that may help your specific situation.

Do I need to see a specialist?

Most cases of gum disease can be managed within the practice by our dentists and hygiene team.

Where a case is more advanced or complex, we have access to a trusted network of specialist periodontal partners and will refer where appropriate. You will never be left without a clear next step.

Get in touch

contact us

We’d love to hear from you

Whether you’re booking your first appointment, have a question about our treatments, or simply want advice on your dental care — our friendly team is here to help.

Opening Times

Monday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Tuesday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Wednesday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Thursday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday
08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Saturday
09:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Opening Times

Monday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Tuesday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Wednesday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Thursday
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday
08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Saturday
09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
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  • Site last updated: 3 November 2026
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Berkhamsted Dental Practice

5.0 164 reviews

  • Great service and lovely staff! Emily on reception was fantastic :)

  • Greeted warmly by everyone. Treated respectfully by my dentist with step by step explanations regarding my treatment. Consequently, I was able to feel more relaxed having been reassured that all was going well. Thank you for an excellent outcome.

  • Very happy with my Invisalign process with Kish. He kept me well informed throughout and always took time to answer all my many queries. The price was reasonable compared to others in the area and it has all been completed within the original time advised.… Read more

    Very happy with my Invisalign process with Kish. He kept me well informed throughout and always took time to answer all my many queries. The price was reasonable compared to others in the area and it has all been completed within the original time advised. I'm yet to have my composite bonding done but hope to have a transformed smile in the end. Would thoroughly recommend BDP if you're considering Invisalign.

  • Berkhamsted dental practice have been amazing and so helpful. Other dentist didn't want to help me with my treatment as needed alot of work but they have taken one look and gone above and beyond to help me. The staff are friendly helpful and quick to respond… Read more

    Berkhamsted dental practice have been amazing and so helpful. Other dentist didn't want to help me with my treatment as needed alot of work but they have taken one look and gone above and beyond to help me. The staff are friendly helpful and quick to respond to any questions I may of had after treatment. I still need a lot of treatment but very grateful for the help i have received so for and looking forward to the final outcome down the line

  • I have just completed the main part of my Invisalign journey followed by composite bonding and could not be happier. Having been told by my previous dentist that it wasn’t worth doing ( due to my age and small change I would achieve) I had a consultation with… Read more

    I have just completed the main part of my Invisalign journey followed by composite bonding and could not be happier. Having been told by my previous dentist that it wasn’t worth doing ( due to my age and small change I would achieve) I had a consultation with Dr Kish to start a programme of Invisalign to straighten out my front teeth which had moved over time and now had a very slight overlap. Once complete, I saw Dr Ventsi for bonding to the edges of 6 teeth, which, as a heavy tooth grinder, were chipped and uneven. Both Drs were knowledgeable and lovely to deal with. I could not be happier with the result! A little change has made a huge difference !

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