Periodontal care in Merrick, NY

Gum disease begins when bacteria collect below the gumline. The early stage, gingivitis, shows up as gums that bleed when you brush, look red or feel tender. Left alone it becomes periodontitis: the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets, the supporting bone breaks down and teeth can loosen. It usually causes no pain until late, which is why bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gums that look longer or a tooth that has shifted deserve a prompt visit.

Treatment is matched to the stage. Gingivitis often responds to a professional dental cleaning and better home care. Established disease is treated with a deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, which removes tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces below the gumline so the gums can heal. Laser gum treatment removes diseased tissue and bacteria from inside the pockets with a dental laser, with less bleeding, no stitches and a quicker recovery than traditional gum surgery. The same laser can reshape a gummy or uneven gumline.

After active treatment, maintenance keeps the result: more frequent cleanings, pocket measurements at each visit and a home care routine built for your mouth. Very advanced cases may be referred to a periodontal specialist.