“It’s just a bit of bleeding. I’ll deal with it later.”

It’s one of the most understandable thoughts in dentistry. Gum disease rarely hurts in the early stages. Life is busy. Dental bills are real.

But gum disease is one of those problems where the price of treatment tends to rise the longer it’s left. So if cost is what’s holding you back, it’s worth knowing what those costs actually look like, at each stage.

First, how common is this?

More common than most people think.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 30% of Australian adults had moderate or severe periodontitis (advanced gum disease) in the most recent national oral health study. That figure rose with age, reaching 59% of people aged 65 and over.

So if you’ve noticed signs, you’re far from alone.

The stages of gum disease, and what each one costs

Gum disease generally moves through two broad stages.

Stage 1: Gingivitis (early, and reversible)

What it is: inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build-up. Gums may be red, puffy, or bleed when you brush.

The good news: at this stage, the bone and tissue holding your teeth in place haven’t been damaged. With a professional clean and better home care, gingivitis can usually be reversed.

Typical treatment: a professional scale and clean, plus advice on brushing and cleaning between your teeth.

Typical cost: usually in the range of a standard check-up and clean.

Stage 2: Periodontitis (advanced)

What it is: the inflammation has moved below the gumline and started to damage the tissue and bone that hold your teeth. Pockets form between the gums and teeth, where bacteria collect and a toothbrush can’t reach.

The hard truth: bone that has been lost generally doesn’t grow back by itself. Treatment aims to stop the disease progressing and keep the teeth you have.

Typical treatment and costs

Prime Perio provides a written, itemised quote after assessing your gums, so you’ll know your costs before treatment starts.

Costs depend on the extent of treatment, the number of visits, whether surgery or grafting is recommended and your ongoing maintenance needs.

What happens if you wait?

We want to be careful here. Not everyone’s gum disease progresses at the same rate, and we won’t pretend it’s always an emergency. But untreated periodontitis generally doesn’t stay still.

Here’s the path it commonly follows:

Bleeding and tenderness → Pockets deepen below the gumline → Bone around the teeth is gradually lost → Gums recede and teeth can look longer → Teeth may start to feel loose or shift → Teeth may eventually need to be removed

In Australia, gum disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults.

And the costs move with it

This is the part that matters if you’re weighing up cost:

• Gingivitis can often be managed with a clean and good home care.

• Moderate periodontitis usually needs a deep cleaning program.

• Advanced periodontitis may need surgery on top of that.

• If a tooth is lost, the cost and suitability of replacement will depend on the options recommended after assessment.

There’s one more catch. If gum disease caused a tooth to be lost, it usually needs to be under control before an implant can be placed, and bone loss may mean grafting first. So waiting can add costs at both ends.

Beyond your mouth

Research has found associations between gum disease and some general health conditions, including diabetes. The relationship with diabetes appears to work both ways: poorly controlled diabetes is linked with worse gum disease, and gum inflammation can make blood sugar harder to manage. If you have diabetes, it’s worth mentioning to both your GP and your dental team.

Will my health fund or Medicare help?

Private health insurance: periodontal treatment may attract a rebate under extras cover, depending on your fund and level of cover. Some treatments sit under “general dental” and others under “major dental,” which often has longer waiting periods and different limits.

The simple way to find out: ask us for the item numbers for your treatment plan, then call your fund. They can tell you exactly what they’ll pay.

Medicare: generally doesn’t cover dental treatment for adults. In limited cases, people with certain chronic conditions may be able to access some dental support through a plan arranged by their GP. Ask your GP if this could apply to you.

Public dental: eligible concession card holders in Victoria may be able to access public dental services, though waiting lists apply.

Ways to make treatment manageable

Treatment in stages. Deep cleaning is often done one or two quadrants at a time, so costs are naturally spread across visits.

Payment plans. Many practices work with healthcare payment providers that let you spread costs over time. Ask the Prime Perio team what’s available. Approval and terms are set by the provider, so read the fees and conditions before signing up.

Using your annual limits wisely. If your treatment spans the end of your policy year, you may be able to use two years’ worth of limits. Check with your fund.

Prioritising. If budget is tight, we can help you work out which areas need attention first.

Why timely assessment matters

An assessment can help identify your current needs and explain the options, costs and possible consequences of delaying treatment.

Step 1 – Book a gum health assessment. Get in touch with Prime Perio to arrange a time.

Step 2 – We measure and explain. We check your gum pockets and bone levels and show you what we find.

Step 3 – You get a written plan and quote. Staged, itemised, with item numbers for your health fund. You decide what happens next.

Clinical source: NHS — Gum disease

Request a consultation

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Prevalence figures: AIHW, National Oral Health Plan 2015–2024 performance monitoring report (NSAOH 2017–18 data). This article is general information and not a substitute for personal dental advice.