Gum Disease Therapy

Early detection enables us –your Kanata dentist- to protect you from gum disease!

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, damages the gums and bone structure that support your teeth. It is caused by bacterial infection associated with plaque and tartar. Plaque is a white sticky substance that builds throughout the day on your teeth, which is removed by regular brushing and flossing. Plaque that isn’t cleaned off hardens into tartar.
Tartar that is left on the teeth will accumulate at and below the gum line and can cause infection. Over time, the bacterial infection can result in the gums separating from your teeth causing ‘pockets’ between your gum and tooth to develop. These ‘pockets’ make room for more plaque and tartar accumulation that aggravate the infection and cause additional problems to occur, including receding gum tissue, constant breath issues, loosening of the affected teeth and even tooth loss. Treatment involves the removal of the tartar which must be removed by a dentist or a dental hygienist through ‘scaling’.
Periodontal disease can be treated and like most ailments, the earlier it is detected, the better.

How does your Kanata dentist detect periodontal disease?

Signs of gum disease:

• Gums that bleed during regular brushing and flossing
• Gums that are tender, sensitive or even painful
• Gums that are swollen
• Gums that appear shiny or bright red (like in many infections)
• Receding gum tissue
• Adult teeth that are loose
• Frequent or continuous bad breath
• Overall discomfort in the mouth