Protect the foundation of your smile with advanced gum disease treatment and periodontal care. Healthy gums aren’t optional — they’re the cornerstone of your entire oral health.
Looking for periodontal dentistry in Scarborough? Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — and most people don’t know they have it until significant damage has already occurred. At Smilestry, Dr. Guerra takes gum health seriously because your gums are the foundation everything else rests on. Without healthy periodontal tissue, even the most beautiful restorations and straightest teeth are at risk. Early intervention is the difference between simple treatment and complex, costly repair.
Periodontal dentistry encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease and the conditions affecting the structures that support your teeth — including gums, bone, and connective tissue. From early-stage gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, Smilestry provides precise, effective care using modern techniques that minimize discomfort and maximize results. Dr. Guerra’s thorough approach goes beyond surface-level cleaning to address the bacterial infection driving your gum disease and restore your periodontal health from the inside out.
Prevent Tooth Loss Gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss — not cavities. Periodontal treatment stops the bacterial infection destroying your bone and tissue, preserving the foundation your teeth depend on for a lifetime of stability.
Protect Your Overall Health Untreated gum disease doesn’t stay in your mouth. Research consistently links periodontal disease to serious systemic conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and respiratory illness. Treating your gums protects far more than your smile.
Stop Pain and Sensitivity Inflamed, infected gum tissue causes persistent soreness, tenderness, and sensitivity that affects eating and daily comfort. Effective periodontal treatment eliminates the infection driving these symptoms, restoring comfort and function.
Eliminate Bad Breath at the Source Chronic bad breath is frequently caused by the bacteria thriving in infected gum pockets — not inadequate brushing. Periodontal treatment removes the bacterial biofilm at the root of the problem, delivering lasting freshness no mouthwash can match.
Preserve Your Investment in Dental Care Implants, crowns, veneers, and orthodontic results all depend on a healthy periodontal foundation. Treating and maintaining gum health protects every other dental investment you’ve made and prevents the need for costly retreatment.
Step 1: Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation Dr. Guerra performs a thorough periodontal assessment that includes measuring gum pocket depths, evaluating bone levels with digital x-rays, and assessing tissue health and recession. This detailed picture of your periodontal status guides every treatment decision.
Step 2: Personalized Treatment Planning Based on your evaluation, Dr. Guerra explains your diagnosis clearly — what stage of gum disease is present, what’s driving it, and what treatment will achieve. You’ll understand your options, what to expect, and the timeline before any treatment begins.
Step 3: Scaling and Root Planing For active gum disease, deep cleaning — scaling and root planing — removes bacterial deposits and calculus from below the gumline where regular cleaning can’t reach. This precise, thorough procedure eliminates the infection and creates a clean surface for gum tissue to reattach and heal.
Step 4: Monitoring and Re-Evaluation After initial treatment, Dr. Guerra monitors your healing response closely. At your follow-up appointment, we measure pocket depths again, evaluate tissue health, and assess whether additional treatment is needed or if you’re ready to transition to a maintenance schedule.
Step 5: Ongoing Periodontal Maintenance Gum disease is a chronic condition that requires consistent management. Periodontal maintenance visits — typically every 3-4 months — keep bacterial levels controlled, catch any recurrence early, and protect the results of your treatment long-term. This isn’t optional aftercare; it’s how you stay healthy.
Our friendly team is here to help with anything you need — from insurance questions to treatment details.
Common warning signs include gums that bleed when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gum tissue, persistent bad breath, gum recession (teeth appearing longer), sensitivity at the gumline, loose teeth, and changes in your bite. However, gum disease is often painless in its early stages — which is why regular exams are critical for catching it before damage accumulates.
Modern periodontal treatment is far more comfortable than most patients expect. Scaling and root planing is performed with local anesthesia so you feel no pain during the procedure. Some tenderness and sensitivity in the days following treatment is normal and typically resolves quickly. Dr. Guerra’s gentle approach and sedation options ensure your comfort throughout.
Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is fully reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. More advanced periodontitis cannot be reversed — the bone and tissue lost cannot be fully restored — but it can be effectively controlled and stabilized with proper treatment and ongoing maintenance, preventing further destruction.
Most patients with a history of gum disease require maintenance cleanings every 3-4 months rather than the standard 6-month interval. This frequency is based on the biology of the bacteria involved — they rebuild to problematic levels in approximately 90 days. Dr. Guerra will recommend a maintenance schedule based on your specific situation.
Yes, significantly. Decades of research link periodontal disease to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, respiratory infections, pregnancy complications, and Alzheimer’s disease. The bacteria and inflammatory compounds from infected gum tissue enter your bloodstream and affect the entire body. Treating gum disease is one of the most impactful things you can do for your overall health.