What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It’s usually caused by a buildup of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, along and below the gumline.
Gum disease develops in stages. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become inflamed but the damage is still reversible. If it progresses to the more advanced stage, called periodontitis, the infection can affect the bone that supports your teeth, which is why early attention matters.
Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease doesn’t always cause obvious discomfort, especially early on. Watch for:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that have started to pull away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
- Gums that look longer, as if the teeth are getting longer
- Sensitivity along the gumline
If you notice any of these, it’s worth booking an assessment. Bleeding gums in particular are often the earliest sign, and they’re easy to dismiss.
Why Gum Health Matters Beyond Your Mouth
Gum health is connected to overall health. Research has associated gum disease with several general health conditions, and while the relationships are still being studied, the takeaway is straightforward: looking after your gums is part of looking after your health more broadly.
Keeping your gums healthy also protects your teeth. Because advanced gum disease affects the support around teeth, treating it early is one of the best ways to keep your natural teeth for longer.
How We Treat Gum Disease
Treatment depends on how far the condition has progressed. Our approach starts conservatively and builds only as needed.
Assessment and Diagnosis
We examine your gums, measure the spaces around your teeth, and check for signs of inflammation or bone loss, using X-rays where needed. This tells us the stage of the condition and shapes the treatment plan.
Scaling and Root Planing
For gum disease that has progressed beyond the earliest stage, scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that goes below the gumline. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth and root surfaces, while root planing smooths the roots so the gums can heal and reattach more easily. It's usually done under local anaesthetic for comfort.
Periodontal Maintenance
After active treatment, gum disease needs ongoing management to keep it under control. Periodontal maintenance involves more frequent cleanings and monitoring, tailored to your needs, to help prevent the condition from returning or progressing.
Prevention and Home Care Guidance
Much of gum health happens at home. We'll show you techniques and habits that make a real difference between visits, because professional treatment works best alongside good daily care.
What to Expect
If you need scaling and root planing, we’ll usually numb the area first so you’re comfortable throughout. Depending on how much needs to be done, treatment may be split across more than one visit, often treating one area of the mouth at a time.
Afterward, it’s normal for gums to feel a little tender for a few days, and we’ll give you clear guidance on caring for the area as it heals. Most people are surprised by how manageable the process is, and how much better their gums feel once they’ve recovered.
Keeping Gum Disease From Coming Back
Gum disease is manageable, but it does need ongoing attention. Once your gums are healthy again, the goal shifts to keeping them that way. Regular checkups and cleanings, a consistent home care routine, and, where needed, more frequent maintenance visits all help protect the results of treatment.
We’ll recommend a schedule based on your situation rather than a one-size-fits-all interval, and explain the reasoning behind it.
Gum Care and Your Coverage
Periodontal treatment is often covered at least in part by dental insurance, and we offer direct billing to most providers. Shaughnessy Square Dental Centre is also a participating provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which covers periodontal services including scaling and root planing for eligible patients.
We’ll always confirm what’s covered before treatment, so you have a clear picture upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bleeding when I brush a sign of gum disease?
Often, yes. Bleeding gums are one of the most common early signs of gum disease, and they’re easy to overlook. Healthy gums generally don’t bleed with normal brushing and flossing, so it’s worth having persistent bleeding assessed.
Can gum disease be reversed?
The earliest stage, gingivitis, can usually be reversed with professional treatment and good home care. More advanced gum disease can be managed and controlled, though some of its effects on the supporting bone can’t be undone, which is why early treatment matters.
What is scaling and root planing?
It’s a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots so the gums can heal. It’s a common treatment for gum disease that has progressed beyond the earliest stage, and it’s usually done under local anaesthetic.
Does gum treatment hurt?
We numb the area for treatments like scaling and root planing, so you should be comfortable during the procedure. Some tenderness afterward is normal and usually settles within a few days.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Consistent brushing and flossing, regular professional cleanings, and not smoking all help protect your gums. Catching problems early at routine checkups is one of the most effective preventive steps.
Is gum treatment covered by insurance?
Periodontal treatment is often partially covered, and it’s among the services covered by the CDCP for eligible patients. We offer direct billing and can check your coverage before treatment.
Take Care of Your Gums in Port Coquitlam
Whether your gums bleed when you brush or you’ve been told you have gum disease, the sooner it’s assessed, the easier it is to manage. Request an appointment at Shaughnessy Square Dental Centre, Monday through Saturday.