Non-Surgical Gum Therapy: A Gentle Alternative to Surgery

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Are your gums red, swollen, or bleeding? Have your gums receded from your teeth, exposing more of the tooth surface or roots? If so, you may have gum disease, which affects nearly half of adults over 30. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and it can often be treated with non-surgical gum therapy.

Non-surgical gum therapy is a gentle, minimally invasive alternative to surgery for treating early gum disease. The focus is on removing built-up plaque and tartar, which harbor the bacteria that inflame gums and damage tissue and bone. Once the plaque and tartar are removed, the gums have a chance to heal and reattach to the teeth.

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Treatment typically consists of deep cleanings called scaling and root planning. A dental hygienist or dentist will use hand tools or an ultrasonic scaler to scrape and smooth away plaque and tartar from both the tooth surfaces above the gum line and below it. For more stubborn buildup, laser therapy may be used to vaporize the plaque and tartar. Antibacterial mouth rinses or other medications may also be recommended to control infection as the gums heal.

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Since non-surgical gum therapy is non-invasive, it does not require anesthesia and has minimal discomfort. With proper home care and regular dental visits, the treatment can be very effective at stopping or slowing gum disease and preventing the need for surgery.

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If your gum disease has progressed to more severe stages with significant bone loss, non-surgical gum therapy may not be enough. In these cases, gum surgery may be recommended to repair damaged tissue and bone. However, many people are able to avoid surgery with early diagnosis and effective non-surgical treatment of gum disease. Schedule an appointment with our dental clinic in Red Deer to find out which treatment approach is right for you.