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Gum Disease Treatment in Sydney
Noticed bleeding or tender gums, sensitive teeth, persistent bad breath, or gums that seem to be receding? About Smiles is a Sydney dental group with five locations Chatswood, Circular Quay, Crows Nest, Eastgardens and Zetland helping patients address periodontal issues before they progress further. Catching gum disease early generally makes it easier to manage than advanced gum disease, which is why we encourage patients not to ignore early warning signs, even when symptoms seem relatively mild. You can find your nearest About Smiles clinic and book an assessment to have your gum health reviewed.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common condition caused by dental plaque buildup that leads to gum inflammation, infection and, if left untreated, potential loose teeth or tooth loss. Research has also linked periodontal disease to broader health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, so looking after your gum health can form one part of a wider approach to staying well. At About Smiles, we offer care aimed at restoring gum health, supporting your overall oral health, and helping prevent further complications.
Because gum disease often develops gradually, many patients don’t realise how far it has progressed until symptoms become more noticeable. A regular dental check-up plays an important role here, allowing early signs to be picked up and addressed before more involved treatment becomes necessary. This is one reason routine check-ups and general dentistry visits matter just as much for your gum health as they do for preventing tooth decay.
Our Approach to Gum Disease Treatment
The right approach depends entirely on the severity of your condition, which is why an accurate diagnosis is always the starting point. Options can range from conservative, non-surgical care through to more involved treatment for advanced cases:
- Scaling and root planing — a deep cleaning process to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline, supporting healing and reducing inflammation
- Ongoing periodontal maintenance — follow-up cleaning and monitoring to help keep gums stable once initial treatment is complete
- Laser therapy — a minimally invasive option that may be used to remove infected tissue and support gum healing, where appropriate
- Surgical periodontal care — for more advanced cases, treatment such as periodontal surgery or gum graft surgery may be needed to address tissue or bone damage; where advanced periodontal disease requires specialist management, your dentist can discuss a referral to a periodontist (a registered specialist in gum disease)
Many patients only require the more conservative, non-surgical options, while others may benefit from a more involved approach depending on how far the condition has progressed. Your treatment plan will always reflect what’s genuinely needed for your situation, as determined by your dentist, rather than a one size fits all approach.
Gum Disease Treatment at Our Sydney Clinics
Across About Smiles, our team brings more than 80 years of combined dental experience, with a strong emphasis on patient education and prevention. We combine modern techniques and digital imaging, including digital X-rays, with a patient-focused approach to diagnosis and treatment. As an NSQHS accredited group, we follow recognised national safety and quality standards throughout.
We place real weight on helping you understand not just what treatment involves, but how to protect your gum health going forward. Small changes to your daily routine such as using a soft toothbrush, and improved brushing and flossing guided by your dentist often play just as important a role as the treatment itself. For more advanced periodontal disease, your dentist can talk you through the options and, where appropriate, a referral for specialist periodontal care. Because treatment plans for gum disease often involve several follow-up visits over time, our five Sydney locations make it easier to fit consultations and ongoing care around your week.
Our Gum Disease Treatment Process
Step One
Consultation and Diagnosis:
We begin with a thorough evaluation of your gum health and a discussion of your symptoms, using imaging such as X-rays and clinical assessment to understand the severity and underlying causes, such as smoking or hygiene habits.
Step Two
Personalised Treatment Plan:
We develop a tailored approach that selects the most appropriate care for your needs, whether that involves deep cleaning, ongoing maintenance, or a referral for more advanced periodontal care.
Step Three
Treatment and Maintenance:
Our team carries out your treatment, then supports you with follow-up appointments to monitor progress and provide ongoing oral hygiene guidance.
Gum disease treatment often isn’t a single-visit fix maintaining healthy gums typically involves ongoing care and monitoring, particularly if the condition was more advanced at diagnosis. We build this follow-up into your plan from the outset, rather than leaving you to manage it alone once initial treatment is complete.
Is Gum Disease Treatment Right for You?
Gum disease can present differently from person to person, and our team can help clarify what you’re experiencing during a consultation if you’re unsure.
This may apply to you if you have:
Bleeding or tender gums
Persistent bad breath or a foul taste
Receding gums exposing tooth roots
How it can help:
Helps reduce inflammation and slow disease progression
Helps protect against tooth loss by supporting gum and bone health
Supports better oral hygiene and overall health by addressing bacteria
It may be particularly worth considering if you are:
Experiencing gum disease symptoms
Needing more involved periodontal care
Wanting to restore gum health and maintain a confident smile
Helping You Restore Healthy Gums
Our team provides treatments that may improve comfort and function, with every plan built around your individual needs. Results differ for each person and will be discussed with you in full during your consultation, along with realistic expectations for your situation. Ongoing communication throughout treatment is something we see as just as important as the procedures themselves.
Our Sydney Locations
About Smiles has five clinics across Sydney. You can identify your nearest below:
- Chatswood — 2/63A Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 · (02) 9415 3555. Practitioners here include Dr Mark Mingjie Lu (who also consults in Mandarin and Cantonese, and sees patients at Crows Nest), Dr David Argent, Dr David Young and Dr Eugene Foo.
- Circular Quay — Ground Floor, Shop LCC125, 17 Young Street, Circular Quay NSW 2000 · (02) 8319 2323. Practitioners here include Dr Aodhan Docherty and Dr Gregory Nguyen (who consults in English and Vietnamese).
- Crows Nest — Suite 103, Level 1, 22 Clarke Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065 · (02) 8622 3900. Dr Mark Mingjie Lu consults here in addition to Chatswood.
- Eastgardens — Shop 350, Level 3, Westfield Eastgardens, 152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens NSW 2036 · (02) 8488 9994. Practitioners here include Dr Sabrina Chong, Dr Lucy Cracknell and Dr Jacinda Stamenkovic.
- Zetland — 4/6 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017 · (02) 9313 6388. Practitioners here include Dr Ashish Gohil and Dr Danny Nguyen-Ngo.
To book an assessment, contact your nearest clinic on the number above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gum disease treatment painful?
Many treatments, such as scaling and root planing, involve local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout. Your dentist will discuss what to expect for your specific treatment, including any discomfort during recovery.
Can gum disease be fully reversed?
Early stage gum disease (gingivitis) can often be managed effectively with treatment and improved oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to periodontitis. More advanced periodontal disease is generally managed rather than fully reversed, with treatment aimed at stopping progression and protecting the remaining gum and bone support.
Is gum disease treatment available at all About Smiles locations?
Gum health assessments and gum disease care are available across our Sydney clinics Chatswood, Circular Quay, Crows Nest, Eastgardens and Zetland. If your condition is more advanced and requires specialist management, your dentist can discuss a referral to a periodontist. Contact your nearest clinic and the team can help you arrange an assessment.
Will my private health extras cover gum disease treatment?
Many patients use private health extras cover towards periodontal treatment, though the amount depends on your level of cover and the treatment involved. About Smiles works with Australian private health funds and offers HICAPS claiming where applicable, and our team can help you understand what your fund may cover before treatment begins.
How many visits will I need?
This depends on the severity of your gum disease. Some patients need only a course of deep cleaning and maintenance, while more advanced cases involve several follow-up visits over time. Your dentist will outline an expected plan once your gums have been assessed.