Dental
I have Gum Disease, What Should I Do?
Jan 19, 2026
Hearing the words "you have periodontal (gum) disease" can be scary. You might immediately worry about losing teeth or needing painful treatments.
First, take a deep breath. Gum disease is very common, and more importantly, it is treatable.
If your dentist has told you that your condition is "moderate to severe," or if you have had deep cleanings in the past that didn't fully resolve the issue, they might recommend a procedure called Surgical Debridement (also known as Open Flap Debridement).
While the word "surgical" sounds intense, this procedure is essentially the most thorough cleaning your teeth can get. Here is why it is often the best option to save your smile.
The Problem: The "Deep Pocket"
To understand why you need this procedure, you have to understand "pockets."
Healthy gums fit tight around your teeth, like a turtleneck sweater. When bacteria build up, they cause infection that detaches the gum from the tooth, creating a space called a periodontal pocket.
Healthy pocket: 1–3 mm deep (easy to clean with a brush and floss).
Warning zone: 4–5 mm deep (professional hygienist can reach this).
Danger zone: 6 mm or deeper.
Once a pocket is deeper than 5 or 6 mm, toothbrush bristles, floss, and even standard dental instruments simply cannot reach the bottom. Bacteria are left undisturbed deep under the gum line, eating away at the bone that holds your tooth in place.
The Solution: Surgical Debridement
Think of a standard deep cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) like trying to sweep dust from under a heavy rug without moving it. You can get a lot of the dust, but you can’t see if you missed anything deep in the centre.
Surgical Debridement is lifting the rug.
It allows your dentist to see the root surface clearly and ensure every trace of infection is removed.
What Happens During the Procedure?
It is a routine procedure done right here in our office under local anaesthesia (you will be numb, just like getting a filling).
Access: We gently make a small incision to "lift" the gum tissue away from the tooth.
Visibility: This reveals the tooth root and the underlying bone defects that were hidden from view.
The "Debridement": We thoroughly clean the root surface, removing the hardened tartar (calculus) and infected tissue that was impossible to reach otherwise. We may also smooth out irregular bone surfaces where bacteria like to hide.
Healing: The gums are positioned back in place (often tighter around the tooth to reduce the pocket depth) and secured with a few small stitches.
Why Choose Surgical Debridement?
You might ask, "Can't I just try another regular cleaning?"
If the pockets are deep, repeating the same surface-level cleaning is not recommended—it expects a different result without changing the approach. Surgical debridement offers distinct advantages:
Total Bacteria Removal: It is the only way to guarantee the removal of deep tartar that causes bone loss.
Pocket Reduction: By cleaning the infection and tightening the gums, we reduce the pocket depth. This makes it easier for you to keep the area clean at home.
Saving the Tooth: Ultimately, this procedure stops the progression of bone loss. Without it, the bacteria will continue to destroy the bone until the tooth becomes loose and falls out.
Moving Forward
Recovery is usually mild, with patients returning to normal activities within a day or two. The most important thing to remember is that gum disease is a chronic condition—like high blood pressure. Surgical debridement brings the infection under control, but your home care and regular check-ups maintain the health.
If you have been struggling with bleeding gums, bad breath, or have been told you have "deep pockets," don't wait until the tooth is loose.
Contact us today to discuss if surgical debridement is the right step to secure your oral health.
Why Choose 5000 Yonge Smiles, North York for Gum Surgery?
We can walk you through the process and make it a seamless experience. At 5000 Yonge Smiles @North York, we have expertise in Gum Surgery. We can make the process comfortable and efficient. Call us today to book an appointment and start your journey toward a healthier, long lasting smile!