Periodontal Disease Treatment in Columbus, Ohio - Linworth Family Dental

Periodontal disease, which is another name for gum disease, is a common dental problem. But that doesn’t mean it’s something to ignore, as gum disease is actually a serious problem that can progress to affect your overall health. Good oral hygiene and early treatment help prevent gum disease from developing or worsening.

At Linworth Family Dental, we check for gum disease within our regular patient exams and we provide periodontal treatment when needed to restore a good state of oral health. Our team takes a non-judgmental approach that meets you where you are and helps you improve your health from there.

What Is Gum Disease?

As plaque, tartar and bacteria build up on the teeth and gums, these conditions contribute to an infection of the gums and soft tissue, known as gum disease. Once you have the buildup of tartar, a hard substance, on your teeth, it’s very difficult to remove it through an at-home brushing and flossing routine. Therefore, it’s easier for the bacteria along the gum line to stay, thrive and feed the infection.  

Without treatment, the gum disease progresses as the bacteria moves under the gum line. You develop open pockets that separate the gums from the tooth roots. This process can lead to gum recession, the loss of your teeth and other problems. Also, gum disease infection can spread to other parts of the body, impacting your overall health.

Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

You can prevent the onset of gum disease through a good oral hygiene routine that includes regular brushing and flossing. This care minimizes the original buildup of bacteria, plaque and calculus tartar. Then, regular visits to the dentist’s office provide a thorough professional cleaning that removes any buildup your at-home routine may have missed and creates a clean slate.

Also, having regular exams helps our dentists catch gum disease in its earliest stage, which is known as gingivitis, and keep it from progressing to the more severe form of periodontitis gum disease. Treating gingivitis is easier and more affordable than treatments for more advanced gum disease.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Scaling and root planing are the main treatments for periodontal disease. Scaling alone is often enough to treat gingivitis. During this treatment, a member of our hygienist team uses their expertise and dental tools to scrape away the plaque and tartar that has built up along the gum line. We provide a deep cleaning that also removes bacteria. Creating this clean, healthy environment helps the gums to naturally heal themselves.

Periodontitis gum disease generally requires scaling and root planing. In addition to the scaling, we take care of the pockets that have formed in the gums. One of our dentists creates a small incision, removes the infected tissue in the tooth roots and gums. Then, they thoroughly clean the area and close the incision. This process encourages the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth.