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Periodontics & Gum Therapy

At SouthWest Dental, our dentists can provide patients with a range of periodontal care including both surgical and non-surgical treatments for gum disease at our Yarmouth clinic.

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What is Gum Disease?

Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. Gum disease is a condition that is typically caused by poor oral hygiene habits which allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden, eventually affecting the gums.

Left untreated, gum disease can lead to a number of oral health problems including inflamed and bleeding gums, a receding gum line, bacteria-filled pockets between the teeth and gums, and eventual bone deterioration.

Gum Disease Therapy

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Our dentist will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your particular needs. Once your treatment has been completed, our dentists recommend that you return for regular dental exams and preventive therapy four times a year.

Periodontal Treatment Options

Preventive Gum Therapy

If the disease is caught in the early stages, preventive therapy will be recommended.

Regular hygiene cleanings and exams are important for maintaining the health of your gums.

By practicing good oral hygiene at home and eating a balanced diet, you can also significantly reduce your chances of ever getting gum disease.
Non-Surgical Gum Therapy

For patients with mild gum disease, a deep cleaning performed by a dental hygienist may be enough to reverse it.

The dental hygienist will scrape away the plaque and tartar around and below the gum line, and smooth out any rough areas left behind through a process called scaling and root planing.
Surgical Gum Therapy

For patients with more advanced forms of gum disease, more invasive surgical treatments may be necessary to reverse it.

There are a few different types of surgical gum therapy such as gum grafting and bone grafting.