At Pickering Smiles, our dentists help patients to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease), and achieve and maintain healthy gums.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the tissues of the teeth, including the gums, gingiva, alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. It is typically caused by poor oral hygiene habits that allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden, eventually affecting the gums.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is difficult to detect when it first starts to develop, and many patients only begin to notice symptoms when they have progressed past the early stages.
Untreated, gum disease typically progresses in the following stages:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.
Periodontitis
If left untreated, plaque will harden into tartar. As tartar and plaque continue to build up, they cause the gums to begin to recede from the teeth.
Eventually, pockets form between the gums and teeth, which become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Patients may also experience light to moderate bone loss in the jaw.
Advanced Periodontitis
The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament continue to deteriorate. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become loose and may even fall out. Patients may also experience moderate to severe bone loss in the jaw.
Non-Surgical Gum Therapy
The dentists at Pickering Smiles offer non-surgical gum therapy for patients with mild gum disease. It is basically is a deep cleaning performed by your dental hygienist where they scrape the plaque and tartar around the gums, and smooth out any rough areas by scaling and root planing.
For patients with more advanced forms of gum disease, more invasive surgical treatments may be necessary and our dentists will refer you to a Periodontist (a dentist who specializes in treating gum disease).
Once your gum therapy is complete, our dentist will recommend that you have regular dental exams, usually four times a year. Good oral hygiene habits and preventive treatments will also help keep your gum disease under control.
Learn More About Our General Dentistry Services
Dental Hygiene • Crowns • Bridges • Fillings • Dentures • Fluoride Treatment • Root Canals • TMD Treatment • Gum Therapy
Our Pickering dentists are accepting new patients.
Looking for a dentist in Pickering? You're in the right place!
To serve you better, Pickering Smiles has moved to Sheridan Dental
We are committed to delivering the same high standard of dentistry you are accustomed to, all in a comfortable and conveniently located environment.
Effective Friday, May 26th, all existing appointments and new appointments will be at our new location, Sheridan Dental.
We are excited to work alongside the Sheridan Dental team and continue to serve the dental needs of our patients. We look forward to treating you and your family for many years to come.
If you have questions about our relocation prior or your upcoming appointment, please do not hesitate to call the Sheridan Dental office at (905) 839-4486.