What Is Periodontal Disease?
The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis: plaque accumulates and causes gum inflammation, which can mean red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush, and often bad breath.
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, the severe stage of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause loose teeth, gum shrinkage, and jaw bone loss, and usually leads to tooth loss if nothing is done.
What Happens if I Am Diagnosed?
The team prescribes a customized treatment plan. Options include:
- Cleaning with a painless ultrasonic scaler
- Teeth scaling by hand
- Root planing to remove tartar and smooth tooth roots
- Mouth irrigation with antimicrobial solutions
- Antibiotic gum treatment
- Periodontal laser therapy with a painless laser
- Periodontal surgery
What if I Have Already Lost Teeth?
In the most serious cases, the team helps you choose the right tooth-replacement option. Dental implants are usually the standard of care after periodontal tooth loss: they help you retain healthy bone and restore your facial structure along with full chewing function.
Periodontal disease does not have to destroy your oral health permanently. With help from the team, you can enjoy a healthy mouth again fast.