Periodontal Therapy in Cromwell, CT
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, affects about 30% of the adult population and is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. While it isn’t curable, Unicorn Dental Group can help you control it with regular therapy and consistent home care.
Request an AppointmentGum disease can advance with few noticeable signs or symptoms. Many patients experience no pain at all and are surprised by the quiet, steady damage periodontal disease leaves behind. Think of your gums and bone as the foundation of a house: no matter how nice the house looks, if the foundation crumbles, everything built on top of it is at risk.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria, both helpful and harmful. Bacterial waste forms a sticky film called plaque, which clings to teeth. Brushing and flossing remove plaque before it hardens into tartar, but once tartar forms, it becomes a breeding ground for even more bacteria, releasing toxins into the gums.
Your immune system responds to this bacterial invasion with inflammation. Early on, this shows up as bleeding gums, known as gingivitis. Left untreated, bacteria create a chronic infection in the pocket around each tooth, and in many cases, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate. More than half of the bone around your teeth can be lost before you notice any looseness or pain, and that bone never regenerates on its own.
How We Diagnose Gum Disease
We measure the small pocket around each tooth using a periodontal probe. Healthy pockets are usually 2 to 3 millimeters deep. If measurements exceed 3 millimeters and bleed upon probing, periodontal disease is present. We also evaluate gum texture, tooth movement, and bone levels using digital x-rays to build a complete picture of your gum health.
Treatment Options
Mild cases with little to no bone loss may respond to one or two visits with our hygiene team, paired with a solid home care routine. More advanced cases often call for root planing and scaling, a deep cleaning performed over several visits to remove infected tartar from below the gumline. We may also recommend a medicated rinse or an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush to support your home care between visits.
Ongoing Maintenance
Because bacteria begin repopulating within hours of a cleaning, consistent maintenance is essential. Depending on the severity of your condition, we may recommend two, three, or four visits per year. If our combined efforts can’t slow the disease’s progression, we may refer you to a periodontist for specialized care.
The Mouth-Body Connection
Research continues to link oral bacteria to conditions like heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and certain cancers. Bleeding gums provide a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream, similar to an open wound on the skin. Diabetes and other autoimmune conditions can also make gum disease harder to control, while gum inflammation can, in turn, make those conditions harder to manage, a two-way relationship that underscores just how important oral care really is.
If you’re noticing bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease, don’t wait. Contact us today at (860) 635-3993 to schedule an evaluation.
What are the early signs of gum disease?
Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is often the earliest sign, along with redness, swelling, or tenderness along the gumline.
Is periodontal disease curable?
Periodontal disease can’t be cured, but it can be controlled with regular professional therapy and consistent home care.
How many periodontal maintenance visits will I need?
Depending on the severity of your condition, we typically recommend two to four maintenance visits per year.
Is periodontal therapy painful?
We use gentle numbing before deep cleaning procedures like root planing and scaling to keep you comfortable throughout treatment.
How is gum disease connected to overall health?
Research links oral bacteria to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, since bacteria from bleeding gums can enter the bloodstream.