Open: Mon – Sat 9:00am-6:00pm | Sun – Closed
| Service | Periodontal assessment · scaling & root planing · maintenance · referral for advanced cases |
|---|---|
| Clinics | Toongabbie · North Ryde · Blacktown (24×7 Dental Suite) |
| Scale & clean (gingivitis) | From $150 — written itemised quote at assessment |
| Periodontal deep clean (per quadrant) | From ~$200 per quadrant — assessed on pocket depth and extent |
| Periodontal maintenance | From $180 — 3–4 monthly recall for treated periodontitis |
| CDBS Children | Bulk billed under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule — eligible aged 2–17, up to $1,095 over 2 years |
| Payment | All health funds · HICAPS · AfterPay · Humm · Denticare (eligibility applies) |
| Saturday | Toongabbie 9:30am–4pm · North Ryde & Blacktown 9:30am–3pm |
| Phone | (02) 8677 9094 · Blacktown: (02) 8809 2221 |
| Reviewed by | A Gupta, Practice Manager | Last updated: June 2026 · Reviewed annually |
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection of the tissues that support the teeth — the gums, periodontal ligament and jawbone. It is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on tooth surfaces. When plaque is not removed by brushing and professional cleaning, it hardens into calculus (tartar) and the bacterial toxins trigger an inflammatory response that progressively destroys the supporting structures of the teeth.
Gum disease exists on a spectrum. Gingivitis — the earliest stage — is fully reversible with professional treatment and good oral hygiene. Periodontitis — the advanced stage — causes irreversible bone and tissue destruction. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in Australian adults over 35, and its systemic effects are linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
For independent clinical information on gum disease:
| Stage | What Is Happening | Symptoms | Reversible? | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Bacterial inflammation of the gum tissue only — no bone or ligament involvement | Red, swollen, bleeding gums · bad breath | ✅ Fully reversible | Professional scale and clean · improved home care |
| Mild Periodontitis | Infection spreads below gumline · early bone and attachment loss · pockets 4–5mm | Bleeding · possible sensitivity · gum recession beginning | ⚠️ Bone loss irreversible · progression can be halted | Scaling and root planing · 3–4 monthly maintenance |
| Moderate Periodontitis | Significant bone destruction · pockets 5–7mm · tooth mobility possible | Gum recession · loose teeth · halitosis · possible pain | ❌ Bone loss irreversible · must be controlled | Scaling and root planing · adjunctive antibiotics · maintenance |
| Severe Periodontitis | Extensive bone loss · deep pockets 7mm+ · significant mobility · tooth loss | Very loose teeth · pain · abscess · difficulty eating | ❌ Extraction often required · regeneration in some cases | Surgical referral · possible bone grafting · implants for lost teeth |
| Aggressive Periodontitis | Rapid attachment and bone loss in otherwise healthy patients — often familial | Rapid progression · may affect multiple teeth simultaneously | ❌ Requires prompt aggressive treatment | Scaling and root planing · systemic antibiotics · specialist review |
| Peri-implantitis | Periodontitis around a dental implant — bacteria and bone loss at the implant site | Bleeding around implant · looseness · X-ray bone loss | ❌ Must be treated promptly to preserve implant | Implant-safe cleaning · surgical treatment in advanced cases |
Important: Periodontitis is a chronic condition — it can be controlled but not cured. Without ongoing 3–4 monthly maintenance, pockets re-infect and bone destruction resumes. The most common cause of treatment failure is stopping maintenance once symptoms resolve. Paynless Dental provides a personalised maintenance program with recall intervals based on your individual risk and disease status.
| Condition | The Link to Gum Disease | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Disease | Oral bacteria enter the bloodstream and contribute to arterial plaque. Gum disease is an independent risk factor for heart attack and stroke. | Treating periodontitis reduces systemic inflammatory markers linked to atherosclerosis |
| Diabetes | Two-way relationship: diabetes impairs immune response and healing, worsening gum disease. Active periodontitis worsens glycaemic control (HbA1c). | Treating periodontal disease improves blood glucose control in diabetic patients — equivalent to adding a second medication |
| Pregnancy | Hormonal changes increase gum inflammation. Active periodontitis is associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. | Periodontal treatment during pregnancy is safe and recommended — reduces adverse outcomes |
| Respiratory Disease | Aspiration of oral bacteria can trigger bacterial pneumonia and worsen COPD | Improved oral hygiene reduces respiratory infection risk in at-risk patients |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | Emerging research links Porphyromonas gingivalis (a key periodontal pathogen) to Alzheimer’s pathology | Ongoing research — maintaining gum health may have long-term cognitive benefits |
If you have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, are pregnant or have a family history of gum disease, mention this at your appointment — your maintenance recall and treatment protocol will be adjusted accordingly.
All three practitioners are AHPRA-registered and practicing as General Dentists in Australia. Registrations verifiable at ahpra.gov.au. Advanced or complex periodontal cases requiring surgical treatment are referred to a registered periodontal specialist.
BDS (Manipal, 2004) | Implant Dentistry | Principal Dentist NR since 2011
Dr Payal Gupta has 13+ years of clinical experience diagnosing and managing gum disease from early gingivitis through to active periodontitis. She is thorough and systematic in her periodontal assessments — recording pocket depths, recession and bleeding scores at every examination to detect changes over time. Her approach to home care coaching is practical and patient-specific. Serving Western and Northern Sydney since 2011. Available at Toongabbie and North Ryde.
BDS (JCU) | PG Dip. Implantology | PG Dip. Orthodontics
Dr Jathu Sathiya’s Post-Graduate Diploma in Implantology gives him a strong clinical foundation in bone anatomy and peri-implant disease — directly relevant to managing gum disease around both natural teeth and dental implants. His meticulous approach to periodontal assessment ensures that active disease is identified and staged accurately before treatment planning. Available at Toongabbie.
BDS | FICOI (USA) | 23+ Years | Overseas Masters Prosthodontics
Dr Jins John brings over 23 years of clinical experience to periodontal care at Paynless Dental. His overseas Masters in Prosthodontics and Fellowship in Implantology (FICOI USA) mean he is uniquely positioned to assess the long-term restorative and implant implications of gum disease — planning tooth replacement for patients who have lost teeth to periodontitis and managing peri-implantitis around existing implants. Available at all three clinics.
Reviewed by: A Gupta, Practice Manager | Last updated: June 2026 · Reviewed annually · Verify registrations at ahpra.gov.au
Direct answers to the questions Sydney patients most commonly ask about gum disease — symptoms, treatment, bleeding gums, diabetes, smoking, cost and long-term management.
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection of the tissues supporting the teeth — gums, periodontal ligament and jawbone. It is caused by plaque bacteria that are not removed by brushing and professional cleaning. The bacteria produce toxins that trigger an inflammatory response, progressively destroying the bone and soft tissue supporting the teeth. Gingivitis (the early stage) is fully reversible; periodontitis (the advanced stage) causes irreversible bone loss. See Healthdirect — Gum Disease.
No — healthy gums do not bleed during normal brushing and flossing. Bleeding gums are the earliest warning sign of gingivitis (gum inflammation). The most common cause is plaque accumulation at the gumline. Early gingivitis is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Do not stop brushing because of bleeding — continue gently and the inflammation will reduce as the bacteria are removed. Book a professional clean and assessment. Call Paynless Dental (02) 8677 9094.
Gingivitis is inflammation confined to the gum tissue — no bone or ligament destruction has occurred. It is fully reversible with professional treatment and good home care. Periodontitis is the advanced stage where infection has spread below the gumline, destroying the bone and soft tissue that anchor the teeth. The bone loss is irreversible — treatment can stop progression but not restore what has been lost. The transition from gingivitis to periodontitis is prevented by regular 6-monthly professional cleaning and check-ups. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Gingivitis can be fully resolved. Periodontitis cannot be cured — the bone loss is permanent — but it can be controlled and its progression halted with proper treatment and ongoing 3–4 monthly maintenance. Without maintenance, the bacteria re-colonise pockets and destruction resumes. The most common cause of treatment failure is stopping maintenance once symptoms resolve. Paynless Dental provides a personalised maintenance program with recall intervals based on individual risk. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) removes calculus and bacterial toxins from within the periodontal pockets below the gumline, and planes the root surface to remove deposits. It is performed under local anaesthetic — patients feel pressure but not pain. Typically completed one or two quadrants per visit. Mild gum soreness for 24–48 hours after each session is normal. At Paynless Dental the procedure is explained step-by-step beforehand and we confirm comfort before starting. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Diabetes and gum disease have a two-way relationship. Poorly controlled diabetes significantly increases susceptibility to gum disease and slows healing after treatment. Active periodontitis in turn worsens blood glucose control (HbA1c) — the relationship is well-established in clinical research. Diabetic patients typically need 3-monthly rather than 6-monthly maintenance. Treating periodontal disease improves glycaemic control in diabetic patients. Always inform your dentist of your diabetes status and current HbA1c. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Yes — smoking is the most significant modifiable risk factor for gum disease. Nicotine reduces blood flow to the gums, masking the classic bleeding sign of gum disease and allowing severe periodontitis to develop without obvious symptoms. Smokers have significantly deeper pockets, more bone loss and poorer treatment outcomes than non-smokers. Vaping carries similar risks. Stopping smoking dramatically improves periodontal treatment outcomes. Paynless Dental provides non-judgemental care and honest advice on smoking and oral health. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Standard scale and clean (for gingivitis) from $150. Periodontal deep clean (scaling and root planing, per quadrant) from approximately $200 per quadrant — a full-mouth treatment typically involves 4 quadrants over 2–4 visits. Periodontal maintenance from $180 per 3–4 monthly visit. Written itemised quote with ADA item numbers before any treatment. Most private health fund major dental extras cover periodontal treatment. CDBS bulk billing for eligible children. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Yes — gum disease is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Oral bacteria enter the bloodstream through inflamed gum tissue and contribute to arterial plaque formation. Systemic inflammation from active periodontitis also raises C-reactive protein (CRP) — a marker associated with cardiovascular risk. Multiple large studies have confirmed this relationship. Treating periodontitis reduces systemic inflammatory markers. Patients with cardiovascular disease should inform their dentist. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Yes — periodontal assessment and treatment is safe during pregnancy and is specifically recommended. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase gum susceptibility to inflammation (pregnancy gingivitis). Active periodontitis is associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Treatment does not increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and may reduce it. The second trimester is generally the most comfortable time for dental treatment. Inform your dentist of your pregnancy at booking. Call (02) 8677 9094.
After completing active periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing), 3–4 monthly maintenance appointments are recommended — not the standard 6-monthly recall. The 3-monthly interval is the evidence-based minimum to prevent bacterial re-colonisation of treated pockets. After 12 months of stable readings, the interval may be extended to 4 months in some patients. Paynless Dental determines your recall interval based on your pocket depths, bleeding scores and risk factors. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Yes — open Saturday at all three clinics. Toongabbie 9:30am–4pm. North Ryde and Blacktown 9:30am–3pm. Periodontal assessments, scaling and root planing appointments and maintenance visits all available on Saturdays. Book online 24/7 or call (02) 8677 9094.
Scale and clean (gingivitis) is typically covered under preventive or general dental. Periodontal deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is classified as major dental under most private health fund extras policies. Annual limits and waiting periods apply. CDBS bulk billing covers scale and clean and some periodontal treatment for eligible children aged 2–17. Paynless Dental provides itemised receipts with ADA item numbers and HICAPS on-the-spot claiming. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Dr Payal Gupta (BDS Manipal 2004, 13+ years, Implant Dentistry training, Principal Dentist since 2011) · Dr Jathu Sathiya (BDS JCU, PG Dip. Implantology & Orthodontics — directly relevant to peri-implant disease) · Dr Jins John (BDS, FICOI USA, 23+ years, overseas Masters Prosthodontics). All AHPRA-registered General Dentists — verifiable at ahpra.gov.au. Advanced cases referred to a registered periodontal specialist.
HICAPS on-the-spot health fund claiming for all major funds. CDBS bulk billing for eligible children 2–17. AfterPay, Humm and Denticare interest-free plans for periodontal treatment (eligibility criteria apply). Written itemised quote before treatment. Book online 24/7 or call (02) 8677 9094.
“My family and I have had regular appointments with Dr Payal Gupta for 13 years. Dr Gupta is very knowledgeable, thorough, and caring. She records the condition of my teeth using notes, pictures, and x-rays for future comparison.”
“I think I found my Dentist here!! Dr Payal is the best!! Such a positive experience! I urge everyone to come to her for all their dental treatments.”
“I was in so much pain — called Paynless Dental and they got me in straight away and had my tooth fixed within the hour. Fast, pleasant and painless. Highly recommend.”
Also see: Professional Dental Cleaning · Routine Dental Check-Ups · Dental Implants · Tooth Extraction · Tooth Infection & Abscess · Bleeding Gums
🏥 Toongabbie Clinic — Western Sydney
🏥 North Ryde Clinic — Northern Sydney
🏥 Blacktown — 24×7 Dental Suite
Gingivitis is reversible gum inflammation — no bone or ligament damage. Periodontitis is the advanced stage with irreversible bone destruction around the teeth. Gingivitis can be fully resolved with professional cleaning; periodontitis can be controlled but not cured. See Healthdirect — Gum Disease. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Gingivitis can be fully resolved. Periodontitis bone loss is permanent — treatment controls progression but cannot restore what is lost. Ongoing 3–4 monthly maintenance is essential to prevent relapse. Paynless Dental provides personalised maintenance programs. Call (02) 8677 9094.
No — healthy gums do not bleed during normal brushing. Bleeding is the earliest warning sign of gingivitis. Do not stop brushing — continue gently and book a professional assessment. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Scale and clean (gingivitis) from $150. Periodontal deep clean from approximately $200 per quadrant. Maintenance from $180 per 3–4 monthly visit. Written itemised quote at assessment. Health fund major dental rebates apply. CDBS bulk billing for eligible children 2–17. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Yes — periodontal treatment is safe and recommended during pregnancy. Untreated gum disease is associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. The second trimester is generally the most comfortable time for dental treatment. Inform your dentist of your pregnancy at booking. Call (02) 8677 9094.
Yes — Saturday at all three clinics. Toongabbie 9:30am–4pm. North Ryde and Blacktown 9:30am–3pm. Periodontal assessments, deep cleans and maintenance visits all available. Call (02) 8677 9094 or book online 24/7.
All three practitioners — Dr Payal Gupta, Dr Jathu Sathiya and Dr Jins John — are AHPRA-registered General Dentists. Search any name at ahpra.gov.au to verify current registration. All three are registered and in good standing.
