Gum disease affects nearly half of all adults over 30, yet many people don't realize they have it until significant damage has already occurred. From early gingivitis — which causes red, swollen, bleeding gums — to advanced periodontitis — which destroys the bone and tissue supporting your teeth — gum disease is a progressive condition that gets worse without treatment. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we provide comprehensive care for every stage of gum disease, with sedation options that make even extensive treatment comfortable. Early intervention can reverse gingivitis completely. Even advanced periodontitis can be managed to preserve your teeth and protect your overall health.
Gum disease — also called periodontal disease — is a bacterial infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along and beneath the gum line. If plaque isn't removed through daily brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings, it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.
The bacteria in plaque and tartar produce toxins that irritate the gum tissue, triggering an inflammatory response. In its earliest stage (gingivitis), the inflammation is limited to the gum tissue itself. With treatment and improved home care, gingivitis is completely reversible — no permanent damage occurs.
But if gingivitis is left untreated, the infection can spread below the gum line into the bone and connective tissue that anchor your teeth in place. This is periodontitis, and the damage it causes — bone loss, pocket formation, gum recession — is permanent. While periodontitis can be managed and stabilized, the lost bone and tissue cannot regenerate on their own.
What makes gum disease particularly dangerous is its connection to systemic health. Research has established strong links between periodontitis and heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and Alzheimer's disease. The bacteria and inflammation from gum disease don't stay in your mouth — they affect your entire body.
Sedation options ensure comfortable treatment at every stage — from routine cleanings to surgical intervention.
Gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease, and the good news is that it's completely reversible with proper treatment and improved oral hygiene. At this stage, the infection is limited to the gum tissue — the bone and connective tissue supporting your teeth are not yet affected.
Signs of gingivitis include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, red or swollen gum tissue (healthy gums are pink and firm), persistent bad breath, and gums that feel tender to the touch. Many people dismiss bleeding gums as normal, but healthy gums don't bleed. Bleeding during brushing or flossing is the most common early warning sign.
Treatment for gingivitis is straightforward: a thorough professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, combined with improved daily brushing and flossing at home. We may recommend an antimicrobial rinse to help control bacteria. Most patients see significant improvement within 2-4 weeks of treatment and consistent home care.
The key is catching gingivitis early and addressing it before it progresses. Regular dental check-ups allow us to detect gingivitis at its earliest stage — often before you notice any symptoms yourself.
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis — a more serious form of gum disease that affects the bone and connective tissue supporting your teeth. Periodontitis cannot be reversed, but it can be managed and stabilized to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
In periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that collect bacteria and are impossible to clean with normal brushing. As the infection deepens, the bone supporting the teeth is gradually destroyed. Over time, this leads to loose teeth, shifting teeth, changes in your bite, and eventually tooth loss.
Symptoms include persistent bad breath, receding gums, deep pockets between teeth and gums, loose or shifting teeth, pus between teeth and gums, pain when chewing, and changes in how your teeth fit together.
Treatment depends on severity. Early to moderate cases are treated with scaling and root planing — deep cleaning below the gum line. Advanced cases may require surgical intervention including flap surgery, bone grafting, and gum grafting. After treatment, maintenance cleanings every 3-4 months are critical to prevent recurrence.
Gum disease treatment protects both your teeth and your overall health. Insurance coverage verified before your appointment.
We accept all major dental insurance plans and direct-bill whenever possible.
CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) coverage for eligible patients.
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