Periodontal Care
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. We evaluate periodontal health at every visit and provide scaling and root planing for patients with active gum disease — because catching it early changes everything.
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What to expect
Periodontal disease affects nearly half of adults over 30, and most don't know they have it. It doesn't always hurt. The signs — bleeding when you brush, puffiness, recession — are easy to dismiss. But beneath the surface, infection damages the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place. Once that bone is lost, it doesn't come back. That's why we measure and document your periodontal health at every visit, not just when something looks wrong.
Why we can't "just do a cleaning" on active gum disease
A standard cleaning — prophylaxis — is designed for patients with healthy gums. When pocket depths exceed 4mm, bacteria colonize below the gumline where a standard cleaning can't reach. Continuing prophylaxis in that situation doesn't treat the infection; it only manages the surface. Scaling and root planing goes deeper: we remove calcified deposits from the root surface and smooth the root to discourage reattachment of bacteria. It's not a cleaning — it's a therapeutic procedure that addresses the infection directly.
What happens after active treatment
Once we've treated active disease, you'll move to a periodontal maintenance schedule — typically every three to four months instead of the standard six. This isn't indefinite punishment; it's how we keep the infection from returning. Most patients stabilize well and maintain healthy pockets long-term with consistent maintenance. We monitor pocket depths at each maintenance visit and adjust the plan if anything changes.
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Request your appointment or call us directly — we'll respond within one business day.
Common questions about gum health
My gums bleed when I brush. Isn't that normal?
Healthy gums don't bleed with gentle brushing. Bleeding is usually a sign of inflammation — often the earliest indicator of gum disease. It's worth mentioning at your next visit so we can measure your pocket depths and determine whether it's a hygiene issue or something that needs treatment.
What does a periodontal measurement actually mean?
We measure the depth of the space between your tooth and gum — called a pocket — using a small probe. Healthy pockets measure 1–3mm. Pockets of 4mm or more indicate early disease; 5–6mm signals moderate involvement; anything deeper than that is more advanced. Those numbers give us an objective baseline to track over time.
Will scaling and root planing hurt?
The area is numbed before treatment, so you shouldn't feel the procedure itself. Afterward, you may have sensitivity and mild soreness for a few days — similar to what you'd feel after an aggressive cleaning. Nitrous oxide is available if you'd like additional comfort during the appointment.
Do I have to come every 3 months forever?
Not necessarily forever, but periodontal maintenance is a long-term commitment for most patients who've had active disease. Once we see consistent stability — healthy pocket depths, no bleeding, good home care — we may be able to extend your interval. We reassess at every maintenance visit.
Your gum health matters — we check it every visit
If it's been a while or you've noticed bleeding, recession, or sensitivity, request an exam and we'll measure what's happening below the surface.
Or call us at 615.550.4620