한국어 
简体中文 GUM
Gum Treatment
The earlier gum disease is caught, the simpler it is. We check how far it has progressed with a detailed examination, and even for loose teeth, we first see whether they can be saved before extraction.
Dr. Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist · specialist in integrated dentistry) · written and reviewed · last reviewed
The short answer
If my gums bleed, is it already too late?
No. Bleeding is the earliest sign of gum disease, and at the gingivitis stage with no bone damage, scaling and correcting your brushing often bring improvement within 1–2 weeks. However, gum disease progresses without pain, so if bleeding is ignored, before you know it the bone dissolves and it moves on to periodontitis, where teeth become loose. The starting point is to check by examination which stage you are at now.
Gum disease is one of the conditions for which the most people are treated in Korea, and the most common reason adults lose teeth. Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon records your gum examination results tooth by tooth and shows them to you, and plans only the treatment suited to the stage. For teeth with bone remaining, we look first at saving them rather than extraction.
Gingivitis (early)
Inflammation is limited to the gums, and it often recovers with scaling and proper brushing and flossing habits. There is no bone damage yet.
Periodontitis (moderate)
Inflammation has progressed to the jawbone. Root planing and periodontal curettage remove tartar below the gum line to reduce inflammation and stop progression.
Maintenance
After treatment, regular scaling and checkups every 3–6 months prevent recurrence and keep the gums stable. Gum disease is a condition to be "managed" rather than "cured."
How does gum treatment proceed?
- Gum examination and records. The depth of the gum pocket around each tooth is measured and bleeding is recorded. 3 mm or less is healthy or gingivitis; 4 mm or more in several places suggests periodontitis (Korean). X-rays show how much jawbone remains to determine the stage.[1]
- Identifying causes and explaining. We look at the location and amount of tartar, the edges of existing restorations, brushing habits and risk factors such as smoking and diabetes. Along with the examination results, we explain which stage the gum disease is at, what treatment is needed and why, and how many visits it will take.
- Scaling. Tartar and plaque above and at the gum line are removed with an ultrasonic scaler. Gingivitis mostly recovers with this step and corrected brushing. For those aged 19 and over, Korean national health insurance covers it once a year.[4]
- Removing tartar below the gum (root planing · periodontal curettage). For periodontitis, tartar and inflamed tissue stuck to the root surface below the gum are removed under local anesthesia. Usually the mouth is divided into 2–4 sections treated 1–2 weeks apart. This is the method recommended as the basic step of periodontitis treatment in the European Federation of Periodontology guideline.[2] If needed, a computer-controlled anesthesia device (i-JECT) reduces the discomfort of anesthesia.
- Re-evaluation. After 4–8 weeks, pocket depth and bleeding are measured again to see how much they have improved. In most cases the inflammation stabilizes at this stage.
- Gum surgery if needed. For areas where deep pockets remain and instruments cannot reach, periodontal flap surgery (Korean), in which the gum is folded back to see and remove the tartar directly, is considered. Depending on the shape of the bone defect, regenerative treatment may be done at the same time.
- Maintenance. Once treatment is finished, you come in for maintenance (Korean) every 3–6 months. Gum disease progresses again when care stops, so this stage is in effect the most important part of treatment.
What are the stages of gum disease, and how does treatment differ by stage?
Based on the 2017 World Workshop classification, stages are divided by the degree of bone loss and whether teeth have been lost.[1] The stage is a standard for deciding "what treatment, and how much," rather than "how bad it is."
| Stage | Condition | Treatment usually done | Visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Only the gums swell and bleed; no bone damage | Scaling + brushing correction | 1 + recheck |
| Stage I periodontitis (initial) | Bone loss beginning; pockets around 4 mm | Scaling + partial root planing | 1–2 |
| Stage II periodontitis (moderate) | Bone loss within 1/3 of root length; pockets around 5 mm | Root planing and curettage by section | 2–4 + re-evaluation |
| Stage III periodontitis (severe) | Bone loss over 1/3, loose teeth, bone defects | Non-surgical treatment, then gum surgery or regeneration considered | 4 or more |
| Stage IV periodontitis (advanced) | Teeth lost or shifted, reduced chewing function | Periodontal treatment combined with prosthetic or implant planning | Varies widely |
* A general classification; the actual stage and number of visits are decided individually after examination.
Scaling, curettage and gum surgery: what is the difference?
| Item | Scaling | Root planing · curettage | Periodontal flap surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | Gingivitis, early periodontitis | Moderate periodontitis (tartar below the gum) | Severe periodontitis, when non-surgical treatment is not enough |
| Anesthesia | Usually not needed | Local anesthesia | Local anesthesia |
| Method | Removes tartar above and at the gum line | Removes tartar and inflamed tissue from the root surface | Folds back the gum to remove and clean directly |
| Time | 20–40 min | 30–60 min per section | About 60 min per area |
| Health insurance | Covered once a year from age 19 | Covered | Covered (depending on the item) |
* A general comparison; an accurate diagnosis and costs are given individually at the consultation. — As of September 2026
How are diabetes, smoking and pregnancy related to gum disease?
- Diabetes — When blood sugar is not controlled, gum disease progresses faster, and conversely gum inflammation makes blood sugar harder to control. There are reports that periodontal treatment slightly lowers HbA1c.[3]
- Smoking — It reduces blood flow to the gums, masking bleeding while making bone damage progress faster, and it also weakens the response to treatment.
- Pregnancy — Hormonal changes make the gums swell considerably even with the same amount of plaque. We recommend scaling and care in the second trimester.
- Cardiovascular conditions · anticoagulants — If you take anticoagulants, tell us about your medications in advance so bleeding can be managed. Do not stop taking them on your own.
Costs and health insurance. Scaling (once a year from age 19), root planing and curettage, and periodontal flap surgery are covered by Korean national health insurance.[4] Some regenerative materials such as bone grafts and membranes are not covered, and when needed we explain them item by item before treatment.
When a different approach may suit better
- · Teeth that have lost most of their bone, are very loose and whose inflammation cannot be controlled — rather than trying to keep them, considering implants or dentures after extraction may be the way to protect the remaining bone.
- · Pain or swelling caused by decay or a root fracture below the gum — the cause (root canal treatment or extraction) is treated first, not the gums.
- · Repeated inflammation in one area because of the edge of a restoration or an orthodontic appliance — unless that cause is adjusted, gum treatment alone will not prevent recurrence.
- · Drug-induced gum overgrowth (some blood pressure medications or anticonvulsants) — adjusting the medication with the prescribing doctor may come first.
Nothing hidden
Changes after gum treatment, and its limits
Sensitivity after treatment. Root surfaces that were covered by tartar are exposed, so teeth may be sensitive to cold. This usually decreases within 1–2 weeks and is managed with desensitizing toothpaste and fluoride application.
Gums appearing to recede. As gums that were swollen with inflammation settle down, teeth may look longer and gaps may appear between them (black triangles). This is not because treatment cut away the gum, but because the gum has returned to the level of the bone that was already lost.
Bone does not grow back. Non-surgical treatment stops inflammation; it does not restore dissolved bone. Regenerative treatment can attempt to restore some bone defects, but it does not apply to every shape.
Recurrence. If maintenance stops, gum disease progresses again. If smoking or diabetes is not controlled, the response to treatment is weaker and recurrence is faster.
Discomfort during treatment. For a few days after tartar is removed below the gum, the gums may feel tender or chewing may be uncomfortable. If bleeding continues or swelling worsens, we check again.
Teeth that cannot be saved. Teeth whose bone has dissolved close to the root tip are hard to keep even with treatment. In such cases, rather than holding on to them at all costs, deciding together on the timing of extraction and the plan afterward is the choice that protects the neighboring teeth and bone.
The goal of gum treatment is not "going back to how it was" but "not losing any more." We tell you this first so that you do not mistake the changes after treatment for failure, and so that the reason for maintenance makes sense.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q1 Scaling makes my teeth sensitive. Is it all right to have it often?
Tooth surfaces that were covered by tartar are exposed, so they may be temporarily sensitive, usually decreasing within a few days. Regular scaling helps keep the gums healthy, and we advise the interval based on your gum condition.
Q2 Does scaling make the gums recede more?
The gum, which had been swollen and propped up by tartar, settles back to its original position once the tartar is removed; scaling does not cut away the gum. What becomes visible is the area where bone had already been lost to inflammation, and leaving the tartar would make the damage progress further.
Q3 Does gum treatment cure it completely?
Gum disease is closer to a condition that is managed. Treatment can reduce inflammation and stop progression, but dissolved bone does not come back by itself, and regular care and oral hygiene habits are needed afterward.
Q4 Can loose teeth be saved?
It depends on how much jawbone has been lost. If more than half of the root length still has bone and the inflammation is controlled, teeth can often be kept with gum treatment and splinting. After a detailed examination, we first judge whether a tooth can be saved before considering extraction.
Q5 Does health insurance cover gum treatment?
Basic gum treatment, such as scaling once a year from age 19, root planing and curettage, and periodontal flap surgery, is covered by Korean national health insurance. Bone graft materials and some regenerative materials are not covered; we explain item by item at the consultation.
Q6 Is gum disease related to diabetes or heart disease?
Diabetes and gum disease are well known to worsen each other, and there are studies showing that periodontal treatment slightly helps blood sugar control. Links with cardiovascular disease have also been reported, so if you have a chronic condition, gum care matters even more.
Q7 Can implants get gum disease too?
Yes. The tissue around implants can also become inflamed (peri-implantitis), and it may progress faster than around natural teeth. As with natural teeth, it is managed with regular checkups and professional cleaning.
Q8 Does removing tartar below the gum hurt?
It is done under local anesthesia, so there is little pain during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, the gums may feel tender or sensitive for a few days, and this usually passes without painkillers.
Q9 How long does treatment take?
Gingivitis is often finished with one scaling and a recheck; moderate periodontitis takes about 2–3 months, including 2–4 section-by-section treatments and re-evaluation after 4–8 weeks. It takes longer if surgery is needed.
Q10 If my gums bleed, should I brush gently?
Do not scrub hard, but do not avoid brushing either — clean thoroughly. If the plaque causing the bleeding is not removed, the inflammation continues. Brushing the gum line with a soft toothbrush usually reduces bleeding within 1–2 weeks.
Q11 I stopped treatment partway at another clinic. Can you continue it?
Yes. We check the state of the previous treatment carefully and then continue. We assess your current condition with a detailed diagnosis and draw up a new plan for the remaining treatment.
References
- Tonetti MS, Greenwell H, Kornman KS. Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. J Periodontol. 2018;89(Suppl 1):S159-S172. — 2017 World Workshop classification of periodontitis: stages I–IV by degree of bone loss and number of teeth lost; grades A–C by rate of progression.
- Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull M, et al. Treatment of stage I–III periodontitis—The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol. 2020;47(Suppl 22):4-60. — European Federation of Periodontology guideline: step 1 risk-factor control and oral hygiene → step 2 subgingival instrumentation → step 3 re-evaluation and surgery → step 4 maintenance.
- Sanz M, Ceriello A, Buysschaert M, et al. Scientific evidence on the links between periodontal diseases and diabetes: Consensus report and guidelines. J Clin Periodontol. 2018;45(2):138-149. — Two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontitis; a reduction in HbA1c of about 0.4 percentage points reported after periodontal treatment.
- Ministry of Health and Welfare · National Health Insurance Service (Korea). Health insurance coverage of scaling — once a year from age 19 (in Korean). — Covered from July 2013 for age 20 and over, and from 2017 for age 19 and over, once a year (reset every 1 January).
RESERVATION
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33 m from Exit 1, Bongcheon Station (Line 2) · Directions from Bongcheon Station →
This page was written and reviewed by Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry) of Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon, based on standard dental knowledge and the literature above. It is intended as general information; individual treatment plans and costs are given after a detailed diagnosis and consultation.
Last updated: 2026-09-11