Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. When gums get irritated or infected, teeth and bone can be put at risk. Periodontal therapy is the care your gums need to stop infection, ease swelling, and protect your teeth for the long term.
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, look red or puffy, or feel tender, it could be an early sign of gum disease. The good news: with the right treatment and daily care, most people can get their gums back on track and keep their smiles strong.
What is Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal therapy is a set of treatments that target the gums (the “periodontium”) and the bone that supports your teeth. The goal is simple: remove the germs that cause infection, let the tissues heal, and prevent future damage. Therapy can be non-surgical, like a deep cleaning, or surgical, like repairing gum recession. Your dentist will choose the right care based on how advanced your gum disease is.
Care usually begins with a careful exam. This may include measuring the spaces (pockets) between your gums and teeth, checking for bleeding, and taking X‑rays to see bone levels. With this information, your dentist creates a plan just for you. Many people start with deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar below the gumline. After healing, you’ll return for gum maintenance visits to keep bacteria under control.
Periodontal therapy is a team effort. Your dental team treats the infection, and you keep the results by brushing, flossing, and following the plan at home.
Periodontal Treatments
- Professional cleaning (prophylaxis): For early gum problems, a routine cleaning removes soft plaque and hardened tartar above the gumline. This supports healthy gums and fresh breath.
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning): This is the most common non-surgical gum treatment. Your dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar from below the gums (scaling) and smooths root surfaces (root planing) so gums can reattach and heal.
- Local antibiotics or antimicrobials: In some cases, medicine is placed directly into deep gum pockets after a deep cleaning to kill leftover bacteria and support healing.
- Laser therapy: Certain lasers can help reduce bacteria and inflamed tissue. Your dentist may use laser therapy along with deep cleaning to improve results and comfort.
- Periodontal maintenance: After treatment, you’ll return every 3–4 months for special cleanings. These visits control bacteria, check pocket depths, and help prevent relapse.
- Re-evaluation: Weeks after deep cleaning, your dentist measures your gums again. If pockets have shrunk and bleeding is reduced, maintenance continues. If deep pockets remain, more treatment may be needed.
- Gum grafting (for recession): If gums have pulled away from teeth, a gum graft can cover exposed roots, reduce sensitivity, and protect against further recession.
- Pocket reduction surgery: When deep pockets do not respond to non-surgical care, surgery can reshape bone and gum tissue to reduce pocket depth and make cleaning easier.
- Bone grafts and guided bone growth: If gum disease has damaged bone, grafting materials may help rebuild support around teeth. A tiny membrane may be used to guide new tissue growth.
- Bite adjustment and splinting: If certain teeth take too much bite force due to shifting or wear, adjusting the bite or gently splinting loose teeth can reduce stress and help healing.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage. Gums look red, swollen, and may bleed when you brush or floss. Plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) builds up along the gumline and irritates the tissue. There is no bone loss at this stage, and with good brushing, flossing, and a professional cleaning, gingivitis is usually reversible.
Early (mild) periodontitis: If gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis. The gums start to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that trap bacteria. The body’s response to infection can begin to damage the bone around the teeth. You may notice bleeding, bad breath, and mild tenderness. Deep cleaning is often recommended.
Moderate periodontitis: Pockets get deeper, more bone is lost, and teeth can begin to loosen slightly. Gums may recede, and roots can become sensitive to hot and cold. Deep cleaning, medicines, and possibly laser therapy or surgery may be needed to control the infection and stop further damage.
Advanced periodontitis: In the most serious stage, pockets are deep, bone loss is significant, and teeth may shift or feel loose. Chewing can be uncomfortable. Without treatment, teeth can be lost. Surgical care, grafting, and careful long-term maintenance are used to save teeth when possible.
Risk Factors for Gum Disease
- Tobacco use: Smoking or chewing tobacco is the top risk factor. It weakens your body’s ability to fight infection and heal.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar feeds harmful bacteria and slows healing, making gum disease more likely and harder to control.
- Poor oral hygiene: Skipping brushing and flossing lets plaque harden into tartar, which irritates gums and leads to infection.
- Family history: Some people are more prone to gum disease due to genetics. If close relatives have it, your risk is higher.
- Age: Risk increases with age as gums and bone may become more vulnerable over time.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, puberty, and menopause can make gums more sensitive and likely to swell or bleed.
- Stress and sleep: Stress and poor sleep can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight gum infection.
- Medications and dry mouth: Many medicines reduce saliva. Dry mouth allows plaque to build up faster and irritate gums.
- Crooked or crowded teeth: Hard-to-clean areas trap plaque. Orthodontic care or special tools can improve cleaning.
- Dental restorations that don’t fit well: Rough edges or overhanging fillings collect plaque and inflame gums.
- Poor diet: A diet high in sugar and low in vitamins can raise your risk. Choose whole foods and drink plenty of water.
Your Next Steps
Catching gum disease early makes treatment easier and more comfortable. If you have bleeding gums, bad breath that won’t go away, gum recession, or loose teeth, schedule a dental visit soon. With a careful exam, a personalized plan, and steady home care, periodontal therapy can calm infection, protect your bone and teeth, and help you enjoy a healthy smile for years to come. Call our office at 610-600-1559 to request your appointment.
Remember: brush twice a day with a soft brush, clean between your teeth daily, and keep regular dental visits. Small daily habits, plus the right professional care, make a big difference to your gums and your health.