Periodontal Therapy in Downtown Toronto

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, including inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, and bone. It is a leading cause of tooth loss in Canadian adults, and studies indicate that at least 75% of North Americans over age 35 have some form of periodontal disease. Gingivitis (gums disease) and periodontitis (gums and bone disease) are the two main forms of periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations are essential in prevention and early detection of gum disease – which sometimes develops without any warning signs, and can actually remain undetected until it becomes severe. For example, in a recent study, 8 out of 10 people surveyed believed they did not have periodontal disease, but 7 out of 10 exhibited one or more symptoms.

Symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums, bright red or purple gums, gums that bleed easily, gums that are tender to the touch, and bad breath. Other symptoms include loosened teeth, painful chewing, receding gums, and new spaces developed between your teeth.

Addressing these conditions as early as possible is the best way to retain your natural teeth. A professional deep dental cleaning (scaling and root planing) targets bacteria and debris that irritate the gum tissue. In some cases your dentist may also need to implement procedures such as bone grafting or locally placed antibiotics.

  • Gum recession
  • Gums that are swollen or bleed easily
  • Sensitivity of teeth and gums

Gum disease is a gum infection that damages the soft tissue of the gum. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to severe decay of your teeth and destroy the bone that supports teeth. It can eventually lead to loosened or complete loss of your teeth.

Poor oral hygiene is one of the primary causes of gum disease. If you don’t regularly floss, brush, and rinse your teeth, the buildup of bacteria, along with food and other debris, creates plaque on your teeth.

The first step to treating gum disease is a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums. You want to control the infection so it doesn’t spread further in your mouth. Your dentist will clean in and around your gum and go under the gum line. They will also scrape off any tartar or plaque built-up on your teeth and perform root planing. Root planing is when the dentist smooths out the rough surfaces of the roots of your teeth to allow the tooth to better reattach to the gums.

It depends on the severity of your gum disease. Deep cleaning your teeth and removing any tartar or debris can help prevent further infections and allow your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth. The dentist may insert microspheres or oral or gel antibiotics to help you fight bacteria and heal the gums and tooth roots.

Practicing good oral hygiene is a great way to prevent gum disease. You should also have a healthy, balanced diet and reduce smoking or the use of tobacco products. You should also be aware of gingivitis and reach out to your dentist if you notice any signs.

Periodontal therapy is treatment for gum disease, which is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, including the gums, ligaments, and bone. On this page, City Oasis Dental explains that treatment often begins with a professional deep cleaning that includes scaling and root planing to remove plaque, tartar, bacteria, and debris from around and below the gum line. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may also include antibiotics, microspheres, gum grafting, flap surgery, or other procedures to help control infection and support healing.