Our Complete Service Listing:
Athletic Mouthguards
Checkups and Cleanings
Crown and Bridgework
Cosmetic Bonding
ClearCorrect Braces
Dental Sealants
Dental Implant Restorations
Extractions
Family Dentistry
Fluoride Supplements
Full-Mouth Reconstruction
General Dentistry
Nightguards for Bruxism
Porcelain Lumineers
Root Canals
TMJ Therapy

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the gums and bone that support teeth, and it usually starts early in life, then progresses as a person ages. It all starts when plaque hardens into tartar below the gum line. Combined with decaying food particles lodged between teeth and bacteria emitted by plaque, the infection can spread quickly destroying gum tissue and bone, and ultimately causing tooth and bone loss.

Why is Gum Disease so Serious?
Recent research reveals that gum disease is linked to increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, low birth weight, and most recently, dementia. This is why regular checkups and hygiene visits are vital to not only oral health, but also overall health.

Is Gum Disease Curable?
Unfortunately, gum disease is not curable. However, we can detect early warning signs of gum disease at your regular dental checkups. At this stage, prevention might be as simple as changing your brushing technique, improving your flossing routine, or changing the products you use for oral care at home. Once gum disease sets in, we can often treat it with non-surgical therapy including:

  • Scaling – to remove hardened plaque from below the gum line
  • Root Planing – to reduce rough areas on teeth roots
  • Antibiotic Therapy – to battle infection
  • Surgery – advanced cases may require the care of a periodontist, in which case we will refer you to a trusted colleague

Expect to attend more frequent hygiene visits so that we can monitor your condition and make sure that recovery is on track.