Periodontal Care
Gum Disease Treatment
Protect your teeth, your health, and your smile — gum disease is treatable when caught early.
Protect your teeth, your health, and your smile — gum disease is treatable when caught early.
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is one of the most common dental conditions in adults — and one of the most underdiagnosed. It begins silently, often with no pain, and progresses from mild inflammation (gingivitis) to serious, bone-destroying infection (periodontitis) if left untreated. At Lifestream Dental & Wellness, we screen every patient for signs of gum disease at every visit and provide comprehensive, effective treatment for all stages.
Beyond tooth loss, gum disease is linked to serious systemic health conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Treating gum disease is not just about saving your teeth — it's about protecting your overall health.
Gingivitis is the earliest and most reversible stage of gum disease. Bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding. At this stage, the bone and connective tissue holding teeth in place are not yet affected. With professional cleaning and improved home care, gingivitis can be completely reversed.
Periodontitis develops when gingivitis is left untreated. The infection spreads below the gumline, destroying the bone and connective tissue that anchor your teeth. Pockets form between the gums and teeth where bacteria multiply. Without treatment, periodontitis leads to tooth loosening and eventually tooth loss. While the bone loss cannot be fully reversed, treatment can halt its progression and restore gum health.
Advanced Periodontitis is the most severe stage, with significant bone loss, very deep pockets, and often multiple loose or lost teeth. Treatment at this stage is more complex and may involve surgical intervention in addition to non-surgical deep cleaning.
Professional Dental Cleaning: For patients with gingivitis, a thorough professional cleaning — including scaling to remove tartar above and just below the gumline — combined with improved home care is often all that's needed to restore gum health.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning): For patients with periodontitis, deep cleaning is the cornerstone of non-surgical treatment. This involves carefully removing tartar, bacteria, and toxins from below the gumline (scaling) and smoothing the root surfaces (root planing) to discourage future bacterial attachment and encourage the gums to reattach to the roots.
Antibiotic Therapy: Local or systemic antibiotics may be used in conjunction with scaling and root planing to control bacterial infection in the pockets.
Periodontal Maintenance: After active gum disease treatment, patients transition to periodontal maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months. These are more frequent and more thorough than standard cleanings and are essential to preventing disease from recurring.
Research has established strong associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The bacteria and inflammatory markers from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and affect distant organs. Treating gum disease is a critical component of your overall health — not just your oral health.
Don't wait until gum disease advances. Early treatment is simpler, more effective, and protects both your smile and your overall health.