Periodontal Care in Harrisonburg, VA
Periodontal Care
in Harrisonburg, VA
Healthy gums are essential for maintaining a strong, stable smile. Periodontal care focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease before it leads to more serious problems like bone loss or tooth loss. Through routine monitoring and targeted treatment, our Harrisonburg dental team can help protect the health of your gums and support your long-term oral health. Contact us today to learn more!
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What are the common signs of gum disease?
- Red, swollen, or tender gums that appear irritated or inflamed
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating certain foods
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- Gum recession that makes teeth appear longer than normal
- Increased tooth sensitivity, especially near the gumline
- Loose teeth or changes in the way your bite fits together
- Discomfort when chewing or pressure around the gums
Our Periodontal Services
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment used to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline. This treatment helps reduce inflammation, improve gum health, and prevent periodontal disease from progressing.
Laser Gum Therapy
Laser gum therapy uses advanced dental lasers to target infected gum tissue and bacteria with precision. This minimally invasive treatment promotes faster healing, reduces discomfort, and supports healthier gums with less bleeding and swelling.
Arestin® Gum Treatments
Arestin is an antibiotic treatment placed directly into periodontal pockets after deep cleaning therapy. It helps eliminate lingering bacteria below the gumline and supports the healing process as your gums recover.
What are the stages of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease develops gradually and becomes more serious over time if left untreated. It typically begins with gingivitis, which causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums without affecting the supporting bone. As the infection progresses to periodontitis, bacteria move deeper below the gumline and begin damaging the bone and connective tissues around the teeth. Advanced periodontal disease can eventually lead to gum recession, loose teeth, bone loss, and even tooth loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to slowing and stopping progression.
Is periodontitis curable?
Advanced periodontitis is not usually considered fully curable because some bone and tissue loss cannot be reversed naturally. However, it can be successfully managed with consistent professional care and good oral hygiene habits. Treatments such as scaling and root planing, laser gum therapy, periodontal maintenance, and antibacterial therapies help control infection and reduce inflammation. Ongoing maintenance visits with your Harrisonburg restorative dentist are essential to prevent the disease from worsening and to protect the long-term health and stability of your teeth and gums.
