Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that support your teeth.

It usually starts with:

• Plaque – a sticky film of bacteria on your teeth
• If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus)
• Bacteria in plaque and tartar irritate your gums, causing inflammation

There are two main stages:

Gingivitis

• Early stage of gum disease
• Gums become red, swollen, and may bleed when you brush or floss
• Usually reversible with professional cleaning and good home care

Periodontitis

• Advanced stage
• The bone and ligaments holding your teeth in place begin to break down
• Pockets form between teeth and gums, trapping more bacteria
• Can lead to receding gums, loose teeth, and ultimately tooth loss

Gum disease is often painless until it’s advanced—that’s why regular checkups and cleanings are so important.

Signs You May Have Gum Disease

Contact us for a gum assessment if you notice:

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Bad breath or bad taste that doesn’t go away
• Gums that seem to be pulling away (receding) from teeth
• Teeth that feel loose or shifting position
• Changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite
• Spaces opening up between your teeth

Even if you’re not in pain, these signs should not be ignored. Early treatment is easier, less invasive, and more predictable.

Why Treating Gum Disease Matters

Untreated gum disease doesn’t just affect your mouth. It can:

• Lead to tooth loss and the need for extractions, dentures, or implants
• Affect how you chew and speak
• Make your breath smell unpleasant
• Impact your appearance (receding gums, longer‑looking teeth)

Research has also linked gum disease to general health issues, including:

• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Heart disease and stroke
• Complications in pregnancy (low birth weight, preterm delivery)
• Worsening of some respiratory conditions

Treating gum disease is not only about saving your teeth—it’s part of looking after your overall health.

Gum Disease Treatment Options at Ridgepark Dental Clinic

We tailor treatment to the stage and severity of your gum disease. Not every patient needs advanced therapy; some can be managed with improved home care and regular cleanings. Others need deeper treatment.

1. Comprehensive Gum Assessment

Your visit typically includes:

• Review of your medical and dental history
• Examination of your gums for redness, swelling, and recession
• Measurement of pocket depths around each tooth
• X‑rays to check bone levels and detect hidden tartar or defects
• Discussion of habits like smoking, grinding, or diabetes management

We then share our findings with you in plain language and outline a personalised treatment plan.

2. Professional Cleaning for Gingivitis

For mild gum disease (gingivitis):

• A thorough dental cleaning (scaling & polishing) removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gum line.
• We review and improve your brushing and flossing techniques.
• With good home care, gingivitis often resolves completely.

You’ll be scheduled for regular maintenance cleanings to keep gums healthy and prevent recurrence.

3. Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing)

For moderate to advanced gum disease (periodontitis), we usually recommend deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing.

This involves:

• Numbing the gums in the affected areas for comfort
• Removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria from deeper pockets under the gum line (scaling)
• Smoothing the root surfaces (root planing) to make it harder for bacteria to reattach and easier for gums to heal

Deep cleaning may be done over one or several appointments, depending on:

• How many teeth are affected
• The depth of the pockets
• Your comfort and schedule

After treatment, gums can become less inflamed, pockets may reduce in depth, and the progression of disease can often be halted or slowed significantly.

4. Local Medications & Antibacterial Rinses

In selected cases, we may support deep cleaning with:

• Local antibiotic gels or chips placed into deep pockets
• Antibacterial mouth rinses to reduce bacterial load

These do not replace mechanical cleaning but can help in more stubborn or severe areas.

5. Ongoing Periodontal Maintenance

Gum disease is a chronic condition—much like diabetes or high blood pressure. Once you’ve had periodontitis, you stay at higher risk for future problems.

For that reason, after active treatment, we place you on a periodontal maintenance schedule, usually every 3–4 months, to:

• Gently clean around teeth and under the gums
• Monitor pocket depths and bleeding
• Catch any recurrence early

This maintenance is crucial to protect the progress you’ve made.

6. Referral for Advanced Periodontal Surgery (If Needed)

In very advanced cases—deep defects, persistent pockets, or aesthetic gum concerns—we may discuss referral to a periodontist (gum specialist) for:

• Regenerative procedures (attempting to rebuild lost bone and tissue)
• Pocket reduction surgery
• Gum grafting for severe recession

We coordinate closely with specialists when necessary to ensure integrated, well‑planned care.

What to Expect During Gum Treatment

Many patients are worried that gum treatment will be very painful. Our approach is to make it as comfortable and manageable as possible.

• We use local anaesthetic for deeper cleaning to minimise discomfort.
• We break treatment into sections if needed, so you’re not in the chair too long.
• We explain each step and check in frequently as we work.
• You’ll receive clear aftercare instructions and suggestions for managing any temporary sensitivity.

Most patients report that deep cleaning was much easier than they feared, and that their gums feel better and healthier afterwards.

Gum Disease and Diabetes, Smoking, Pregnancy

Certain factors can make gum disease more likely or harder to control:

Diabetes

High blood sugar can:

• Increase your risk of gum infections
• Make healing slower
• Make infections harder to control

Treating gum disease can sometimes help improve blood sugar control, and good diabetes management supports better gum health.

Smoking

Smoking:

• Hides early signs (smokers’ gums may not bleed, even when diseased)
• Reduces blood flow to the gums
• Increases the risk of severe disease and tooth loss
• Reduces the success rate of gum and implant treatments

If you smoke, we strongly encourage cutting down or quitting. We’ll always meet you where you are without judgement.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can make gums more sensitive and prone to inflammation (pregnancy gingivitis). Untreated gum disease has been linked to certain pregnancy complications.

Routine gum assessment and cleaning during pregnancy is generally safe and recommended. Tell us if you’re pregnant so we can plan appropriately (e.g., X‑rays only when necessary and appropriate shielding).

Cost of Gum Disease Treatment in Nairobi

Costs depend on:

• The stage of disease (gingivitis vs periodontitis)
• How many teeth and areas are affected
• Whether you need deep cleaning, medications, or specialist referral
• The number of visits involved

At Ridgepark Dental Clinic, you can expect:

• A detailed treatment plan with fees before we start
• Explanation of what’s urgent vs what can be phased over time
• Transparent, fair pricing—no hidden surprises

The earlier gum disease is treated, the simpler and less costly it usually is. Delaying often leads to more complex, more expensive treatment—or tooth loss.