Gum Treatment in El Hamma – Gabès: Periodontics

Who is it for?

Book a visit if you notice:

• gums that bleed when you brush, or on their own;
• red, swollen or tender gums;
• persistent bad breath;
• receding gums, or teeth that look longer;
• teeth that feel loose or are moving, or new gaps appearing.

Some factors increase the risk: smoking, diabetes, pregnancy, stress, certain medications and a family history of gum disease.

There are two main stages. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum alone and can be reversed with treatment and good hygiene. In periodontitis, the inflammation reaches the bone around the teeth.

How treatment works, step by step

1. Gum assessment

The dentist measures the depth of the "pockets" between gum and tooth with a fine probe, notes bleeding and tooth mobility, and takes X-rays to assess the bone.

2. Scale and polish, and hygiene advice

Tartar above the gumline is removed and the teeth are polished. You receive personal advice on brushing technique, interdental brushes and floss.

3. Deep cleaning (root planing)

If there are deep pockets, cleaning continues below the gumline, on the roots, under local anaesthetic. It is often done in 2 sessions, half of the mouth at a time.

4. Re-assessment

A few weeks later, usually 6 to 8, the pockets are measured again to check how the gums have responded.

5. Surgery, if needed

In some cases a gum procedure is suggested to clean persistent pockets or cover an exposed root. PRF may then be used to support healing.

How many visits, and how long?

As a rough guide:

• gingivitis: 1 to 2 appointments (assessment, cleaning, advice);
• periodontitis: assessment, 2 deep-cleaning sessions, then a re-assessment a few weeks later;
• after that, maintenance visits every 3 to 6 months depending on your situation.

Regular maintenance is part of the treatment: it is what keeps the gums stable over time.

Aftercare and advice

• Sensitivity to cold or slightly sore gums can last a few days.
• Brush twice a day with a soft brush, angling the bristles towards the gumline.
• Clean between your teeth every day with interdental brushes of the right size.
• If you smoke, stopping clearly improves the response to treatment.
• Keep your maintenance appointments, even when everything seems fine.

In our dental clinic in El Hamma

• A gum assessment before treatments that depend on healthy gums: dental implants, orthodontics and crowns.
• Hygiene advice tailored to each patient.
• PRF used, where appropriate, during gum procedures.
• Coordination with your doctor if you have diabetes or take specific medication.

For a painful swelling or a gum abscess, see also our dental emergency page.