Gum disease is usually caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If plaque is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, gums become irritated and inflamed. The irritated gum tissue can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. Bacteria move into the pockets where they continue to promote irritation. Left untreated, the process can continue until the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues are destroyed. The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. It often results in gums that are red and swollen and may bleed easily.

Depending on the condition of your gums, you may require gingival scaling or periodontal scaling and root planing (PSRP). Both these procedures can be done at our office. Patients requiring PSRP will be numbed with a local anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable. In the event that the gum disease is too advanced to treat in our office, we will refer you to a periodontist who specializes in this type of treatment.