A general dentist is fully qualified to treat the early and moderate stages of gum disease, known as gingivitis and periodontitis. During a routine check-up, they measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums to assess health. If they detect infection or inflammation, the primary treatment they perform is “scaling and root planing.” This is essentially a deep cleaning that removes bacteria and hardened tartar from below the gum line and smooths the tooth roots to help gums reattach. They may also prescribe antimicrobial mouthwashes or local antibiotics to manage the infection. However, if the gum disease is severe, involving significant bone loss or requiring gum grafts, a general dentist will usually refer the patient to a periodontist, who is a specialist with advanced training specifically in the structures that support the teeth.