Periodontal (Gum Disease) Therapy

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissue. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. This is considered an insidious disease because there is often no pain and very few symptoms to indicate its presence until it has progressed to an advanced stage.

The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis, or bacterial infection of the gums. This stage is completely reversible with dental treatment and good home care. If any symptoms occur, they may include slight inflammation of the gums, as well as redness, possible bad breath, and bleeding when brushing.

If left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. When this occurs, gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, enabling bacteria to collect in these "pockets". As the disease continues, the pockets deepen and bone loss begins, causing the teeth to loosen. Once bone is lost, it cannot be restored without a bone graft.

Most stages of periodontal disease can be treated nonsurgically by a dental hygienist through a method called "scaling and root planing". This treatment removes plaque and bacteria below the gum line and may require several visits to the dental office. If the disease has progressed too far, however, a patient may be referred to a periodontist for other types of treatment.