YES! Studies have shown that oral health is linked with developing infections in other parts of the body. Certain lesions can indicate HIV infection or Crohn’s disease. Bone loss can be an early indicator of osteoporosis. Changes in the appearance of teeth can indicate eating disorders or acid reflux disease. In addition, the chronic inflammation from periodontal (gum) disease is associated with heart disease and blockage in the blood vessels. People with diabetes often have more trouble fighting off infections, like gingivitis, leading to more serious forms of periodontal disease.

A simple cleaning for healthy gums that includes scaling and polishing to remove plaque, calculus and stains above the gum-line.

When our home care is not as ideal as it could be and/or a regular dental cleaning is skipped, our gums can become slightly infected causing gingivitis.

It is inflammation of the gums that is usually caused by a bacterial infection from plaque and calculus. Symptoms can include gums that are red, tender, or swollen. Gums may bleed during flossing or brushing and bad smelling breath may be present even after brushing your teeth.

Gingivitis is highly preventable and reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care, but if it is not treated in time, permanent damage may be caused to the gums and surrounding bone causing Periodontal Disease.

Over time, plaque grows below the gum line and hardens into calculus. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that irritate the gums which then form “pockets” (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As periodontal disease progresses, more gum tissue and bone is destroyed. Some symptoms of periodontal disease include: receding gums, loose teeth, sensitive teeth, pus in pockets, and drifting teeth.

When active periodontal disease is present, a more skilled and detailed cleaning is needed to help restore your oral cavity to a maintainable condition.

This procedure is also known as “deep cleaning”. It consists of scaling to remove plaque and calculus from below the gum-line. During the scaling, the tooth and the root surface will be smoothed to help the gums reattach to the tooth.

In some cases, SRP alone cannot restore the gums completely, so we may recommend a localized antibiotic and/or laser therapy to help boost the healing process.

It contains tiny particles of an antibiotic that is placed directly below your gum line and kills the bacteria over time in a specific infected area. The antibiotic dissolves on its own, so no removal is required.

It is a non-surgical treatment option that sterilizes the pocket, so it is free of bacteria. It is also able to remove the diseased tissue inside of the pocket which then promotes new healthy tissue to grow and attach to the tooth.