Protect the Foundation of Your Smile
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Gum disease doesn’t usually start with pain. It starts subtly with bleeding when brushing, mild swelling, and persistent bad breath. Left untreated, it can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss.
At Guthrie Dental, we view periodontal health as the foundation of everything we do. If the gums and bone aren’t healthy, nothing else remains stable.
Common Signs Include:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Swollen or tender gums
- Gum recession
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support your teeth. It begins as gingivitis—inflammation caused by plaque buildup—and can progress into periodontitis if untreated.
As the infection advances, it destroys the bone that holds teeth in place.
Because it often progresses without significant discomfort, many patients don’t realize there’s a problem until damage has already occurred.
Early detection matters.
Why Treatment Is So Important
Gum disease affects more than your mouth. Chronic inflammation is linked to broader health concerns, and untreated periodontal disease can compromise crowns, implants, and other restorations. When the foundation weakens, everything is at risk. Early treatment helps preserve natural teeth and prevent more complex procedures later.
Our Approach
At our practice, the treatment process for periodontal disease is thorough and tailored to individual needs. The steps typically include:
Evaluation
The doctors and hygienists at Guthrie Dental will assess the health of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis is reversible and only affects the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis which affects both the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. Bone loss from periodontitis is irreversible but the progression of bone loss can be stopped.
Gingivitis Therapy
This is a non-surgical treatment to disrupt and eliminate pathogenic bacteria that cause destruction of the gum tissue. This is recommended to prevent the bacteria and inflammation from progressing and causing bone loss around the teeth.
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal therapy is a non-surgical procedure that removes tarter buildup below the gumline and disrupts the bad bacteria that cause destruction of the bone surrounding the teeth. Previous loss of bone cannot be grown back but the progression of bone loss can be stopped.
Re-Evaluation
The gums and bone are assessed for healing and the patient is given personalized homecare instructions to stop future progression of bone loss.
Maintenance Visits
Maintenance Visits are of utmost importance. We establish how often a patient should come in for maintenance visit based on the state of their oral health and their risk factors for developing further gum and bone loss. This could mean professional cleanings every 3, 4 , or 6 months.
I love Guthrie Dental! Everyone is so nice and knowledgeable and they are so accommodating. I've been going there for a while now and I have always had great experiences. I recently had a concern with some pain and they got me in so quickly and before a holiday weekend. It's also really great supporting a small business that has made a big commitment to being part of the community and giving back through things like gathering donations for the local food bank. Highly recommend!
- V
Value-Driven, Not Volume-Driven.
Guthrie Dental isn’t built on rushing patients through appointments. We focus on doing what’s best for your overall oral health, not just what insurance happens to cover. That means thoughtful recommendations, clear explanations, and treatment designed for durability, not quick turnover.
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Don’t Wait for It to Get Worse
Gum disease rarely improves on its own. What starts as mild inflammation can quietly progress, affecting the stability of your teeth and the long-term health of your smile. The earlier we address it, the more conservative and predictable the treatment can be. If you’ve noticed changes—or simply want clarity—let’s take a closer look.
