Our Services / Periodontal Therapy

What are some signs of gum disease?

Your gum tissue serves as a living barrier between the environment in your mouth and your bloodstream. Your gums also help hold your teeth in position. Gum tissue is among the fastest healing types of tissue in your entire body, but it can be damaged when bacteria build up. 

Plaque is a sticky film made of a combination of saliva, bacteria, food particles, and more. You can remove most of the plaque on your teeth through solid brushing and flossing habits. That said, when plaque hardens into tartar or develops below the gum line, it can be difficult to remove on your own.

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, develops when your gums become inflamed and begin to pull away from the surface of your teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is characterized by gum tissue that is tender and bleeds easily during brushing and flossing.  

Periodontal disease is a more advanced stage and occurs when your gum tissue begins to pull away from your teeth. Small pockets develop, providing the perfect hiding place for bacteria to thrive. Left untreated, advanced gum disease can cause or contribute to tooth loss and even systemic infections.

What is periodontal therapy?

Periodontal therapy is a treatment for gum disease. If you only show signs of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, you might be able to reverse the condition by improving your dental hygiene routines.

Once gum disease progresses, however, professional intervention is necessary, and one of the most common forms of such intervention is called scaling and root planing. Scaling  involves using special tools to manually remove all traces of plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, including the area beneath the gum line.

Root planing is a procedure that smooths the surface of your tooth roots to make it more challenging for plaque and tartar to stick to those surfaces. This can give you a fresh start on keeping your teeth clean and your gum tissue healthy. 

How can periodontal therapy help?

Periodontal therapy removes the plaque and bacteria that have built up above and beneath your gum line. It also reduces the risk of plaque and tartar adhering to the surface of your tooth roots. 

Your gum tissue is incredibly dynamic and will begin to heal right away. Periodontal therapy can restore optimal gum health in a relatively short period of time, preventing damage to teeth, bones, and soft tissues.

You may not spend much time thinking about your gums, but this special tissue plays important roles in keeping your smile healthy and strong. Periodontal therapy is here to provide support when gum disease develops.

Learn more about what to expect from periodontal therapy during a face-to-face visit. Online booking is an option, and you are always welcome to call and speak with a friendly member of the administrative staff regarding appointment availability