Our Services / Periodontal Care

What is periodontal care?

Periodontal care focuses on preserving healthy gum tissue. When gum problems arise, periodontal treatments can help restore optimal gum health and prevent negative outcomes like infection and tooth loss.

A growing body of evidence supports the link between oral health and overall health and wellness. Your gums act as a barrier between your internal body and the multitude of bacteria present within your mouth, some of which are potentially harmful. 

Some of the health issues linked to advanced gum disease include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Respiratory infections
• Dementia
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Infertility
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Taking great care of your body includes taking care of your gums. 

What kinds of periodontal treatments are available?

Dr. Whyte Smile offers a wide range of gum health treatments to correct all kinds of periodontal problems. Periodontal cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a common treatment that removes plaque trapped beneath the gum line and makes it harder for plaque to adhere to tooth root surfaces.

Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty work to remove damaged gum tissue, giving your body a chance to heal from advanced gum disease. Gum contouring and reshaping is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess gum tissue to enhance your smile.

ArestinⓇ is an antibiotic treatment that can address infection beneath the gum line. Applied within existing gum pockets, this medication goes to work targeting difficult-to-reach bacteria deep within the gums.

What are some signs of gum disease?

Knowing what to look for can help you improve your dental hygiene routine and prevent advanced gum disease. The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and presents these symptoms:

• Reddened gum tissue
• Inflamed gums
• Tenderness in the gum tissue
• Pink or red tinge when rinsing your mouth

Fortunately, most cases of gingivitis can be reversed with professional cleaning and improved at-home dental hygiene. Your practitioner can show you how to boost your brushing and flossing to improve gum health. Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, can only be treated by a dental professional.

Learn more about keeping your gums healthy and book a visit for periodontal care at Dr. Whyte Smile by calling the office today, or using the simple online scheduling page.