Healthier Gums, Protected for Life
Gum disease is a bit like rust starting under the paint of a car — quiet at first, but worth treating before it spreads. Bleeding, tender, or shrinking gums are your body's early warning, and the good news is they often respond well when we act early. We don't just treat the signs of gum disease. We look for the root cause, use gentle, careful treatment to calm things down, and show you how to help reduce the chance of it returning — protecting the bone that supports your teeth and your smile for years to come.
Spotting gum disease early
Gum disease usually starts as gingivitis — gums that bleed when you brush, look red or puffy, or feel sore. At this early stage, it can often be turned around. That's why we encourage patients not to ignore these early signs. Finding the problem early often means simpler treatment and a better chance of protecting the bone and teeth that support your smile.
Our goal is to find the root cause, treat the problem, and help prevent future damage before it becomes more serious. If it's left alone, it can move into a deeper stage called periodontitis, where the infection reaches the bone and the gums start to pull away from the teeth.
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste that won't go away
- Gums that look like they're shrinking back
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
How we treat it
For early gum disease, a thorough cleaning plus a little help with home care is often enough to turn things around. When it has gone deeper, we may recommend scaling and root planing — a careful, comfortable cleaning just below the gumline that helps remove bacteria and gives your gums the best chance to heal.
Our goal isn't simply to treat today's infection. We want to understand why it developed in the first place. Along with treating your gums, we look at the bigger picture, because diet, grinding, smoking, dry mouth, and conditions like diabetes can all affect your gum health.
From there, we'll recommend a maintenance schedule that fits your needs — often every three or four months — and show you practical ways to help keep gum disease from returning. Helping you protect your natural teeth for as long as possible is always our focus.
Why it matters beyond your mouth
Research has found links between gum disease and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and concerns in pregnancy. The inflammation in your gums does not simply stay put. That's one reason we don't look at your gums in isolation. We look for possible contributing factors, explain what we find, and help you understand how caring for your gums can help protect your overall health. It's an approach Dr. Hassan cares deeply about and brings to every patient she sees.
Why patients choose Power Smile
Treat the cause, not just the symptoms
We look for the factors contributing to your gum disease — whether it's plaque buildup, grinding, dry mouth, smoking, diet, or other health and lifestyle factors — so we can treat the problem, address the underlying causes where we can, and help lower the chance of it coming back.
Comfortable, thorough cleaning
A deep cleaning (called scaling and root planing) is done gently, with the area numbed to keep you comfortable throughout. The goal is to remove bacteria and buildup below the gumline so your gums have the best chance to heal.
Protects your whole body
Healthy gums are an important part of a healthy body. Looking after your gum health helps reduce inflammation and supports your overall well-being.
A plan you can keep up at home
We show you simple tools and techniques that fit into your daily routine, helping you prevent future problems and keep your gums healthy between visits.
Frequently asked questions
Is deep cleaning painful?+
We numb the area first, so most people are comfortable the whole time. Your gums may feel a little tender for a day or two afterward, and that usually settles quickly. If there is a lot of buildup to remove, we can spread the treatment over more than one visit to keep you comfortable.
How much does gum disease treatment cost?+
It depends on how much treatment your gums need. We follow the BC Dental Association Fee Guide, and scaling and root planing is usually billed by area of the mouth. Before we begin, we'll provide a clear estimate and help you understand your insurance or CDCP coverage, so you know what to expect.
Can gum disease be reversed?+
Early gum disease (gingivitis) can usually be turned around with proper cleaning and good home care. More advanced disease cannot be fully undone, but it can be controlled and held steady so you keep your teeth and bone. We'll help you understand what caused it and how to help prevent it from getting worse or coming back.
My gums bleed when I brush. Is that normal?+
Bleeding gums are common, but they are not normal — they're usually the first sign of inflammation. The good news is that at this early stage it often responds well to treatment. Come in and we will help you find the cause and show you how to help prevent it from coming back.
How often will I need cleanings if I have gum disease?+
Many patients move to a cleaning every three or four months to keep things steady. How often you need cleanings depends on how quickly plaque and tartar build up and how your gums respond. We will suggest the timing that fits your situation and adjust it as your gums improve.
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Book your visit today — we'll get to know you, look after your whole smile, and make you feel right at home.