Periodontal Disease - Gum Disease Dental Treatment Information

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a progressive disease of the bone and tissues which support the teeth. It is often painless until it is in advanced stages. Common signs of gum disease include bleeding gums, loose teeth, heavy plaque (bacteria) buildup around teeth, and breath odor. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of bacteria on the teeth. As this bacteria remains on the teeth, the body's response is for the gums and bone to gradually recede away from around the teeth. Ultimately the teeth become loose, the gums may bleed, and teeth may eventually be lost. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults.

The best prevention of gum disease is good home dental care (brushing and flossing) and regular cleanings by your dentist. This helps to remove the bacteria which can lead to the gum disease. Our common goal is to keep the level of bacteria to a minimum!

The most common treatment for gum disease is called scaling and root planning. This is a non-surgical dental treatment which involves the removal of the debris and bacteria around the teeth, and the smoothing of the exposed root surfaces. The smoother the root surface, the harder it is for more bacteria to adhere to it. In some cases, if the gum disease is more advanced, a surgical dental treatment is necessary to gain better access to the diseased areas.

Depending on the severity of the gum disease, we may recommend treatment by a periodontist, or gum specialist. Cambridge Dental Group is proud to have on our staff Dr. Suheil Boutros, a Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist. He is a specialist providing a broad range of treatments and services for gum disease and related problems.