Periodontal Disease Treatment in Scarborough, ON | ScarboroSmiles

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease happens when bacteria in your mouth attack your gums and the bones that hold your teeth in place. If you don't get treatment, your gums can pull away from your teeth, your teeth may get loose, and you could lose them.

Signs you may have gum disease:

• Your gums bleed when you brush or floss

• Your gums are puffy, red, or sore

• You have bad breath that won't go away

• Your gums are pulling back, and your teeth look longer

• Your teeth feel loose or your bite feels different

Catching gum disease early helps protect your teeth and gums from serious damage.

How Is Periodontal Disease Diagnosed?

Our dentists at ScarboroSmiles check for gum disease during your dental visit. We look at your mouth carefully to see if your gums are healthy.

Here is what we do to find gum disease:

• We look at your gums to see if they are red, swollen, or bleeding.

• We use a small tool to measure the space between your teeth and gums. Healthy gums have small spaces. Sick gums have bigger spaces.

• We take special pictures called X-rays. These pictures show us if the bone around your teeth is damaged.

• We ask you questions about your health. Things like smoking or diabetes can make gum disease worse.

After we check your gums, we will tell you what we found. If you have gum disease, we will make a plan to help your gums get better.

Additional Resources:

• Canadian Dental Association Article on Gum Disease

• Canadian Dental Association FAQ about Gum Disease