Red or tender gums? Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing your teeth? The culprit could be gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss. At Esquire Dental Centres, Drs. Amir and Mark Awadalla offer non-surgical treatment for gum disease. This helps control the growth of harmful bacteria to reclaim your optimal periodontal health. If you suspect gum disease, visit our Scarborough, North York, and Pickering offices.
How does gum disease occur?
Gum disease doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow, often silent condition that starts small, but if left untreated, it can lead to severe damage, including tooth loss and bone deterioration.
So, how does gum disease develop? It all starts with plaque—a colorless bacterial film that constantly forms on your teeth. If you don’t remove dental plaque with daily brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which can’t be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss. Tartar irritates your gums and creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.
As bacteria accumulate, your gums become inflamed. You might notice redness, tenderness, or bleeding when brushing or flossing. This stage is called gingivitis—the earliest stage of gum disease. If you don’t treat gingivitis, it progresses into periodontitis. The infection begins to damage the deeper structures supporting your teeth at this stage. Gums may recede, pockets may form between your teeth and gums, and you might experience bad breath, loose teeth, or even tooth loss.
How does gum disease treatment work?
Esquire Dental Centres uses a conservative approach to treat gum disease. If we diagnose you with gingivitis, treatment options include:
- Professional cleanings: Our dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools and skills to remove plaque and tartar from all surfaces of your mouth. Dental cleanings remove unhealthy deposits from areas you can’t reach with your toothbrush. Once the active infection is treated, you must maintain your gum health with regular cleanings every 3–4 months.
- Good oral hygiene: Once we clean your teeth, you must continue good oral hygiene at home. Brush your teeth twice daily, and don’t forget to brush. You can also use an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash.
- Deep teeth cleaning: The dentist recommends this treatment if your infection doesn’t respond to conservative treatment. This non-surgical, two-step procedure involves scaling, which removes dental calculus and bacterial toxins from the deep periodontal pockets. After scaling, we smooth (plane) the root surfaces, helping your gums reattach to your teeth.
- Antibiotic therapy: Sometimes, the dentist may use oral or localized antibiotics to control infection and inflammation in gum pockets.
When gingivitis is well-managed, it typically doesn’t progress to more serious stages of gum disease. That means you can avoid invasive treatments like gum surgery.
How can I prevent gum disease?
The best treatment is not treatment at all. Avoiding the need for treatment altogether starts with daily habits that keep your gums healthy and inflammation at bay. Brush and floss your teeth daily to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. A balanced diet, good hydration, and avoiding tobacco can all help reduce your risk of gum disease. Finally, adhere to bi-annual dental check-ups and cleanings.
Book an Appointment
Do you need gum disease treatment in Ontario?
Think you might have gum disease? Don’t wait—early action is key! Contact Esquire Dental Centres for prompt, effective treatment before the condition causes lasting damage. Call us at your nearest location: Scarborough 416 203-1434, North York 416 223-7869, or Pickering 905 250-1605.
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Dr. Amir Awadalla
Dr. Mark Awadalla
Dr. Ashraf Awadalla
