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Dora Street Dental
General Dentistry

Periodontal (Gum Disease).

Treatment for inflamed or receding gums.

  • 45 to 90 minutes
  • Every 3 to 4 months for active care; 6-monthly maintenance once stable
  • All major health funds
Book this treatmentCall (02) 9570 4044
Close treatment work at Dora Street Dental

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it's almost always treatable when caught early. We deep-clean, monitor, and help you build a routine that protects the gums long-term.

The Dora Street Dental team at work
Dr James Bakker treating a patient by the window
Surgery interior at Dora Street Dental

What to expect

How a periodontal (gum disease)
appointment runs.

We keep things calm and unhurried. Here's the rhythm you can expect from start to finish, no surprises.

  1. Assessment

    We measure the depth of every gum pocket with a gentle probe. Anything 4mm or deeper tells us where the gum is starting to detach from the tooth.

  2. Diagnosis & plan

    We'll show you the chart, talk you through what we found, and explain the realistic outlook. Honest assessment, no scare tactics.

  3. Deep clean

    Scaling and root planing removes hardened deposits from below the gumline. We use local anaesthetic so it's comfortable. Often staged across 1 to 2 visits.

  4. Review & maintenance

    We re-assess in 6 to 8 weeks. Most pockets shrink and gums firm up. From there we move to maintenance cleans every 3 to 4 months to keep things stable.

What's included

Every appointment, in full.

  • Comprehensive gum and pocket-depth charting
  • Identification of risk factors (smoking, diabetes, genetics)
  • Deep cleaning above and below the gumline (scaling and root planing)
  • Local anaesthetic for comfort where needed
  • Personalised home-care plan and product advice
  • Schedule for follow-up reviews
  • Referral pathway to a registered specialist periodontist if indicated

Why it matters

Healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth. Bleeding, sore, or receding gums shouldn't be ignored.

Common questions

Things people
often ask.

Can't see your question? Call us on (02) 9570 4044 and we'll happily talk it through.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Bleeding when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, gums that look red or pulled away from teeth, loose teeth in adults, any of these are worth getting checked. Many people have no symptoms in the early stages, which is why six-monthly check-ups matter.

Is gum disease reversible?

The early stage (gingivitis) is fully reversible with a clean and good home care. The next stage (periodontitis) involves bone loss that doesn't grow back, but it absolutely can be stopped from progressing with treatment and maintenance.

Will the deep clean hurt?

We use local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you shouldn't feel sharp pain, just pressure and the vibration of the instruments. Some tenderness for a couple of days afterwards is normal.

Why every 3 months instead of every 6?

Once you've had periodontal disease, the bacteria that cause it return faster than they do for a healthy mouth. Three- or four-monthly visits keep them in check before they cause more damage.

Do you do specialist gum surgery?

We treat most cases of gum disease in-house. For complex or advanced cases that need surgery, gum grafts, regenerative procedures, we refer to a registered specialist periodontist and stay involved in your care.

Is gum disease linked to my general health?

Periodontal disease has well-established links with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and pregnancy outcomes. Treating it well is good for more than just your mouth.

Hurstville & St George

Caring for periodontal (gum disease) patients across the local area.

We see patients from Hurstville, Penshurst, Allawah, Mortdale, Carlton, Beverly Hills and across the wider St George and Sutherland Shire region. The practice is a short walk from Hurstville Station with on-street parking nearby.

Dr James Bakker beside the DORA ST DENTAL signage at 39 Dora Street, Hurstville

39 Dora Street, Hurstville

Caring for our local Hurstville community.

Booking

Ready to book your periodontal (gum disease)?

Call us or book online, we'll find a time that suits.

Book onlineCall (02) 9570 4044

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