Periodontist or dentist: who should treat your gum disease?

A periodontist is a dentist on the GDC specialist list for periodontics — the gums and bone that support the teeth. A general or cosmetic dentist can diagnose gum disease, carry out deep cleaning and monitor progress. The question is not which title sounds more impressive, but how advanced the disease is and how your gums respond.

Usually managed by your dentist

• Gingivitis — bleeding gums without bone loss
• Early to moderate periodontitis that responds to cleaning below the gum line
• Ongoing maintenance with regular hygiene visits
• Gum health checks before cosmetic work such as veneers or aligners

When a specialist referral makes sense

• Advanced bone loss or teeth that have started to loosen
• Pockets that stay deep after a full course of non-surgical treatment
• Aggressive disease at a young age or a strong family history
• Gum surgery, regenerative procedures or complex implant cases

Questions worth asking

• What stage is my gum disease, and how was it measured?
• What will you re-measure after treatment, and when?
• At what point would you refer me to a periodontist?
• How does my gum health affect any cosmetic plans?

Risks and alternatives

Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and has been linked with wider health conditions such as diabetes. Treatment can cause temporary sensitivity and, as swelling settles, gums may look slightly longer. Alternatives range from improved home care and hygiene visits for early disease to specialist surgery for advanced cases. Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes reduce how well gums respond.

Gum care in Twickenham

Dr Sundeep Solanki checks gum health before any cosmetic treatment at 2 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3RY, and refers on when specialist care is the better route. Current fees are on the Fees page.