Periodontal Treatment
Healthy teeth depend on healthy gums and the bone that supports them. Because gum disease can develop with few noticeable symptoms, evaluating your periodontal health is an important part of the care we provide at Renaissance Family Dentistry.
Rather than treating every patient the same way, we look carefully at your gums, measure the spaces around your teeth, evaluate appropriate dental X-rays, and consider your history. These findings help us determine whether your gums are healthy, inflamed, or showing signs of periodontal disease — and what level of care is appropriate for you.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis Are Not the Same Thing
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums without loss of the bone and other supporting structures around the teeth. Gums affected by gingivitis may appear red or swollen and may bleed easily when brushing, flossing, or during a dental examination. Gingivitis is reversible when the inflammation is addressed and good oral hygiene is maintained.
Periodontitis is different. It occurs when there has been loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. This damage cannot simply be reversed with a routine dental cleaning. Periodontitis can range from mild to severe, and treatment and ongoing maintenance depend on the extent and activity of the disease.
How We Evaluate Your Gum Health
You may have heard your hygienist calling out numbers while checking your gums. Those measurements are an important part of a periodontal examination.
We gently measure the space between each tooth and the surrounding gum tissue and look for signs such as bleeding, inflammation, gum recession, and changes in the support around your teeth. We combine these findings with appropriate dental X-rays to look for evidence of bone loss.
This allows us to make a diagnosis based on what we actually see and measure rather than simply recommending the same type of cleaning for everyone.
Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease does not always hurt, particularly in its earlier stages. Signs that may indicate a problem include:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth
- Changes in the position or spacing of your teeth
- Teeth that feel loose
Bleeding gums are common, but that does not mean they should be considered normal. If you notice changes in your gums, we can help determine what is causing them and whether treatment is needed.
Treatment Based on Your Diagnosis
The right type of dental cleaning depends on the health of your gums. Our goal is not to provide more treatment than you need — or less. We recommend care based on your individual findings.
Healthy Gums and Gingivitis
For patients without periodontal bone loss, a professional cleaning may be appropriate to remove plaque and hardened deposits from the teeth. If inflammation or gingivitis is present, we will also help identify areas where changes to your home-care routine can improve your gum health.
Periodontitis
When periodontitis is present, treatment may involve scaling and root planing, sometimes called a “deep cleaning.” This treatment removes plaque, tartar, and bacterial deposits from below the gumline and along the root surfaces where routine cleaning cannot adequately reach.
More advanced or complex periodontal disease may benefit from evaluation and treatment by a periodontist. If we believe specialist care would provide a better outcome, we will discuss that with you and coordinate a referral.
Maintaining Gum Health After Periodontal Treatment
Periodontitis requires ongoing management even after the disease has been brought under control. Patients who have been treated for periodontitis typically receive periodontal maintenance rather than a routine preventive cleaning.
During periodontal maintenance visits, we monitor the health and stability of your gums, reassess periodontal measurements as appropriate, and thoroughly clean areas above and below the gumline. The frequency of these visits is individualized based on your periodontal health and risk factors.
A Long-Term Approach to Healthy Gums
Our goal is to help you keep your teeth healthy for as long as possible. Regular examinations, appropriate professional care, and consistent brushing and cleaning between your teeth at home all play an important role in maintaining healthy gums.
If you are concerned about bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth, or your periodontal health, contact Renaissance Family Dentistry to schedule an evaluation. We will show you what we find, explain what it means, and recommend the level of care that is appropriate for you.
