Periodontal Treatment in Toronto, ON
When you think of a healthy mouth, you probably only think of healthy teeth. In fact, a major component of good oral health is healthy gums. When you visit our Bathurst dental clinic for a routine exam and cleaning, our periodontist, at Arlington Dental will be checking for cavities, assessing the health of your teeth, and for signs of problems in the gums. If gum disease, or periodontitis, is detected, you can rest assured that we offer treatment to restore health to the gums.
What is Periodontitis?
More commonly known as gum disease, periodontitis is an infection in the gums. It is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the gums that results from poor oral hygiene (namely regular brushing and flossing).
Healthy gums should be pale pink in color and fit around the teeth snugly (with no gaps). Signs of problems in the gums include swelling or discoloration, tenderness when touched, bleeding when brushing or flossing, and gum recession. Our periodontist near you at Arlington Dental will be able to diagnose gum disease during a routine exam and recommend the best course of treatment.
Periodontal Treatment in Toronto, ON
Left untreated, gum disease could eventually result in tooth loss. The infection could also affect other areas of the mouth, such as the jaw and cause bone recession. It is best to detect gum disease in its earliest stages when it is easier to treat. There are a few treatments available to restore health to the gums.
- Scaling and root planing: Also referred to as a deep cleaning, this procedure involves removing bacteria from the tooth surfaces above and below the gumline. The surface of the tooth root will then be smoothed out to help the gums reattach to the teeth and to discourage the buildup of bacteria.
- Antibiotics: These can come in the form of a mouth rinse or gel (topical antibiotics) or an oral antibiotic to eliminate the infection-causing bacteria from the mouth.
- Surgery: If the gum disease has reached a more advanced stage, surgery may be recommended on the gums to better remove bacteria and infected areas and to help shrink the periodontal pockets.
If you have become affected with periodontal disease, visit us at Arlington Dental for periodontal treatment in Toronto, ON.
