Periodontics – Gum Treatment
Healthy gums are the foundation of every other treatment in dentistry — a beautiful crown or filling cannot last if the tissue and bone around it are failing. Gum disease is also remarkably quiet in its early stages, which is why we evaluate your gums at every exam, not only when something hurts.
Gingivitis — gums that are red, puffy, or bleed when you brush — is the early stage, and it can usually be reversed with a professional cleaning and better home care. Left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, where the bone supporting the teeth begins to break down, gums recede, and teeth loosen. Gum disease has also been linked in research to broader health concerns, including diabetes and heart disease.
For gum disease that has gone past the early stage, treatment typically starts with scaling and root planing — a careful deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots so the tissue can reattach. From there, most patients move to periodontal maintenance: cleaning visits every three to four months instead of twice a year, so the pockets stay clean and the disease stays quiet.
Gum care we provide
- Gum evaluations with pocket measurements at every exam
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleanings)
- Ongoing periodontal maintenance visits
- Home-care coaching for brushing and flossing that actually works
- Coordination with your physician when gum health and medical conditions interact
Questions about periodontics – gum treatment?
Call Dentists of Culpeper at (540) 555-0143 or request a visit online — new patients are always welcome in Culpeper, VA.