Periodontal Treatment

Gum disease develops when the small pocket between your tooth and gums fills with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, irritating and eventually damaging the surrounding tissue and bone.

Early stage: gingivitis

Caught early, before any lasting damage, gum disease usually just needs one or two focused cleanings along with guidance on improving your daily hygiene routine.

Advanced stage

When gum disease has progressed further, we recommend scaling and root planing — a deep cleaning performed one section of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. This removes tartar, plaque, and toxins from above and below the gumline and smooths the tooth root so gum tissue can heal and pockets can shrink. We may also recommend medicated rinses or an electric toothbrush to support healing.

Severe cases

If pockets don't fully heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depth and make ongoing cleaning easier — in some cases with a referral to a periodontist.

Content reviewed by Jamisen Kohlman, DMD — KoLa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Austin, TX.