Ideal Candidates for Gum Care
Bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or a family history of gum disease are all signs that gum care may be needed. Pregnancy, diabetes, smoking, bruxism, and dry mouth also increase your risk of periodontal disease.
Benefits of Professional Gum Care
- Reduces bleeding and inflammation, and slows bone loss
- Improves breath and comfort, making daily cleaning easier
- Stabilizes teeth and supports long-term oral health
What to Expect During Treatment
- 1Full periodontal charting and radiographs, as indicated
- 2A personalized plan based on the stage and grade of your gum disease, risk factors, and home care tools
- 3Non-surgical therapy performed by quadrant or half-mouth, gentle and well numbed for comfort
- 4Adjuncts as needed, including localized antimicrobials or short-course rinses
- 5Re-evaluation at 4 to 8 weeks to measure healing progress
- 6Ongoing maintenance every 3 to 4 months, with coaching and reinforcement
Preparation and Aftercare
Eat a light meal beforehand and take your regular medications unless advised otherwise. Brief tenderness after scaling and root planing is common. Warm salt water rinses and over-the-counter analgesics can help with comfort. Resume thorough brushing and interdental cleaning with a gentle technique as your comfort returns.
Possible Side Effects
Some patients experience transient sensitivity, slight recession as swelling subsides, or aesthetic changes such as spaces appearing larger as tissues heal. Without ongoing maintenance, inflammation can return.
Are There Alternatives to Professional Gum Therapy?
There is no substitute for professional subgingival debridement. In cases where deep pockets persist after non-surgical therapy, surgical options may be considered.
Ready to Protect Your Gum Health?
If you have noticed bleeding, sensitivity, or changes in your gums, do not wait for it to progress. Book a gum health check with our Waterloo team and get a clear, personalized plan to protect your smile.
Book a Gum Health CheckFrequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease Treatment
Inflammation resolves with treatment, but lost gum attachment does not regenerate. Our goal with periodontal therapy is to stop the progression of gum disease and protect the attachment you have.
Most patients benefit from maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months. Your dentist will recommend a schedule based on the severity of your gum disease and how well your tissues respond to treatment.
No. Rinses can help manage symptoms, but they do not remove hardened calculus below the gumline. Professional scaling and root planing is the key step in treating gum disease effectively.
Common early signs include bleeding when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, and gum recession. Catching these signs early makes treatment simpler and more effective.
Most patients tolerate scaling and root planing well, as the area is thoroughly numbed beforehand. Some brief tenderness afterward is normal and typically manageable with over the counter pain relief.
Yes. Research links untreated gum disease to other health concerns, including cardiovascular issues and complications with diabetes management. Treating gum disease supports both your oral and overall health.
Most cases of gum disease respond well to non-surgical therapy. Surgical treatment is only considered if deep pockets persist after non-surgical care and re-evaluation.
Yes, if consistent maintenance is not kept up. Regular periodontal maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months, along with good home care, are essential to prevent gum disease from returning.