Periodontal Disease 

Periodontal disease is chronic inflammation and infection of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. It can be a result of poor hygiene, but some people are more prone to this type of infection based on the natural bacteria found in their system, we call this the oral microbiome. The mouth is the window to the rest of the body, it is key that periodontal disease is not left untreated. Symptoms may include bad breath, loose teeth, bleeding and swollen gums. There are many treatments available, depending on the severity of disease.

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What to expect:

If at your exam we determine you are experiencing periodontal disease we recommend we complete a full periodontal evaluation-this means we measure the bone around each tooth and we take x-rays to monitor the amount of bone or support each tooth has. After this evaluation we will know what treatment is the best course of action.

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Typically, a deeper cleaning is first line of defense once it is determined you have active periodontal disease. A deep cleaning or "scaling and root plaining" or "SRP", is where our hygienist will make you as comfortable as possible, usually using anesthetic, and then clean underneath the gums to remove plaque/tarter and calculus. Once the teeth have had the debris removed and are nice and smooth the gums can heal and symptoms will resolve.  

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We will then re-evaluate your gums and bone levels a few weeks after treatment to ensure we have a positive result and symptoms have resolved.

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Unfortunately, once you need a deeper cleaning, a regular cleaning or "prophy" will not be enough to keep the progression of periodontal disease in check. We usually recommend being treated every 3-6 months, depending on your specific needs, for periodontal maintenance. This is where we help you keep the areas clean and healthy and prevent further loss of bone support and teeth. 

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In severe cases we may refer you so see a periodontist, they specialize in surgical treatments of periodontal disease.