What Gum Disease Actually Is
In its earliest form, periodontal disease is called gingivitis. It starts when excessive bacteria in plaque attack the soft tissues of your mouth. Warning signs include gums that appear red or swollen, or that bleed when you brush or floss.
As the disease advances, swollen gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where plaque and tartar continue to accumulate and deepen the infection. Catching it early gives us the best opportunity to help you reverse the damage; if it is detected later, effective restorative options are still available to bring your mouth back to a healthy state.
Deep Cleaning: The Foundation of Periodontal Treatment
When a patient is diagnosed with gum disease, a deep cleaning - also called scaling and root planing, or periodontal therapy - is the established first line of treatment. During this procedure, our dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and tooth roots. The root surfaces are then smoothed to make it harder for bacteria to adhere in the future and to encourage the gums to re-attach.
While a deep cleaning does not cure periodontal disease, it can slow or stop its progression, reduce the likelihood of needing surgical intervention later, and help inflamed gums return to a healthy appearance. For many patients, periodic deep cleanings become a regular part of their dental care alongside ongoing periodontal maintenance visits.
Additional Periodontal Treatments We May Recommend
Managing gum disease often involves more than deep cleanings alone. When gum recession is significant and tooth roots are exposed, gum grafting may be used to move healthy tissue back into place. We also address bacterial infection directly by applying topical antibacterial or antibiotic solutions, either on their own or combined with other treatments.
The goal of periodontal therapy is to support and enhance the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place, replacing diseased tissue with healthy tissue wherever possible. Regular examinations and cleanings remain an important part of keeping disease from returning. If you have questions about what a visit might involve, our team is glad to help - feel free to reach out to us.
When a Specialist Becomes Part of Your Care
Patients with very advanced or complicated periodontal disease may benefit from seeing a periodontist - a dentist who completes additional specialized training in periodontics after earning a general dental degree. This focused expertise makes a periodontist particularly suited to managing complex cases, assessing risk factors, and identifying conditions specific to gum disease.
If a specialist becomes part of your care, we work closely with them to develop a treatment plan that addresses your needs and helps prevent the condition from worsening. Our goal is to coordinate your care so that every part of your treatment fits together.