Periodontal Therapy Waterdown

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, including inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, and bone. It is a leading cause of tooth loss in Canadian adults, and studies indicate that at least 75% of North Americans over age 35 have some form of periodontal disease. Gingivitis (gums disease) and periodontitis (gums and bone disease) are the two main forms of periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations are essential in prevention and early detection of gum disease, which sometimes develops without any warning signs, and can actually remain undetected until it becomes severe. For example, in a recent study, 8 out of 10 people surveyed believed they did not have periodontal disease, but 7 out of 10 exhibited one or more symptoms.

Symptoms of gum disease

Bad breath
Gum recession
Gums that are swollen or bleed easily
Sensitivity of teeth and gums

Addressing these conditions as early as possible is the best way to retain your natural teeth. A professional deep dental cleaning (scaling and root planing) targets bacteria and debris that irritate the gum tissue. In some cases your dentist may also need to implement procedures such as bone grafting or locally placed antibiotics.

To ensure that your oral health remains optimal, schedule regular check-ups and periodontal disease screenings at Panacea Dental in Waterdown.

Related Treatments

Not sure which treatment you need? Book a consultation or call 289-408-5100.

Gum Disease Treatment in Waterdown

Gum disease is the most common reason adults in Canada lose teeth, and it is largely silent in its early stages. Most people who have it do not feel pain. They notice bleeding when brushing, a change in how the gums look, or persistent bad breath, and assume it will pass. It does not pass on its own. It progresses.

The two stages, and why the difference matters

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque sitting along the gumline. The gums may look red or puffy and bleed easily. At this stage the supporting bone has not been affected, which means gingivitis is fully reversible with professional cleaning and consistent home care.

Periodontitis is what gingivitis becomes if it is left. The inflammation moves below the gumline and begins to destroy the bone that holds the teeth in place. Pockets form between tooth and gum, deepen, and trap bacteria that a toothbrush cannot reach. Bone lost to periodontitis does not grow back. Treatment at this stage is about halting the damage and keeping the teeth you have.

What treatment involves

Treatment is staged according to how deep the pockets are and how much bone has been affected. It usually begins with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes hardened deposits from the root surfaces below the gumline and smooths them so the tissue can reattach. This is done with the area frozen, and is often split across more than one visit so each side of the mouth is treated properly rather than rushed.

After the initial treatment the pockets are re-measured to see how the tissue has responded. Many people stabilise at this point and move onto a maintenance schedule, typically cleanings every three to four months rather than every six, because the bacteria repopulate the pockets faster once the tissue has been affected. Cases that do not respond may need referral for surgical treatment.

Risk factors worth knowing about

Smoking is the single largest modifiable risk factor and it also masks the warning signs, because nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the gums and reduces the bleeding that would otherwise prompt someone to seek treatment. Diabetes works in both directions: poorly controlled blood sugar makes gum disease worse, and active gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control. Genetics, pregnancy, certain medications that reduce saliva, and grinding all play a part.

If it has been a while since your last visit, that is not a reason to avoid booking. It is the most common thing we see. Call 289-408-5100 or book online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scaling and root planing is done with local anaesthetic, so the treatment itself should not hurt. The gums are often tender for a day or two afterwards and teeth can feel briefly sensitive to cold while the tissue heals and tightens.

Gingivitis can be fully reversed. Periodontitis can be halted and controlled but not reversed, because the bone already lost does not regenerate. The purpose of treatment is to stop further loss and keep the teeth stable long term.

It depends on how deep the pockets are. Deep cleaning is commonly split into two visits so each half of the mouth is treated thoroughly, followed by a re-evaluation appointment several weeks later to measure how the tissue responded.

Once periodontal pockets have formed, bacteria recolonise them faster than they do in healthy gums. A shorter recall interval interrupts that cycle before the inflammation re-establishes itself. It is a maintenance schedule, not a permanent one for everyone.

Most plans include some periodontal coverage, though it is often measured in time units per year rather than by appointment. We can send a predetermination to your insurer before treatment so you know your coverage in advance. The Canadian Dental Care Plan also covers scaling for eligible patients.

No. Healthy gums do not bleed when brushed or flossed. Bleeding is the earliest reliable sign of inflammation and is worth having looked at, particularly if it has been happening for more than a couple of weeks.