BEFORE: Gum Disease Treatment usually begins with a full gum check so you know exactly what’s happening. Your dentist measures pocket depths, checks where gums bleed, and reviews X-rays to see if bone is being affected. Before your visit, keep brushing, but don’t “scrub hard” to stop bleeding—gentle cleaning at the gumline works better. Eat a normal meal unless you were told not to, since numbing can last a few hours. If you take blood thinners, have diabetes, or smoke, tell the team, because those can change healing steps. Plan softer foods for later that day, and bring any questions about deep cleaning, lasers, or medicines.

DURING: Treatment often starts with deep cleaning below the gumline. After numbing, the hygienist or dentist uses special tools to break up and remove tartar from the pockets. You may hear vibration or water spray from an ultrasonic cleaner, then feel gentle scraping as roots are smoothed. Many people do one or two sections per visit so the team can work carefully and keep you comfortable. If a pocket is irritated, it may be rinsed and checked for trapped debris. At the end, your bite may be checked, and you’ll get clear home steps for brushing, flossing, and managing soreness. Most visits focus on stopping bleeding and lowering bacteria so gums can tighten over time.

AFTER: Your gums may feel tender and your teeth may be a bit sensitive to cold for a few days, especially if a lot of tartar was removed. Rinse gently as directed, keep brushing twice a day, and clean between teeth daily so bacteria doesn’t rebuild. Avoid smoking or vaping during healing, since it can slow gum recovery. Within a couple of weeks, many people notice less bleeding and fresher breath, but pockets can take longer to shrink. You’ll likely come back for a re-check where pocket depths are measured again, and your dentist may adjust the plan. Call right away if you have fever, swelling that worsens, or pain that doesn’t improve, since those can signal an infection.