Periodontal Care
in Greenbelt, MD

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What is Periodontal Treatment?

Periodontal (gum) treatment focuses on getting your gums healthy again when they're suffering from infection or inflammation. You might be surprised to learn that nearly half of Americans over 30 have some form of gum disease—and many don't even realize it. Maybe you've noticed your gums bleeding when you brush, or perhaps things have progressed to more serious stages. At McCarl Dental Group, we take a thorough but gentle approach to halt gum disease, restore your oral health, and protect not just your smile but your overall wellness.

Benefits of Periodontal Care

Save Your Natural Teeth

Treating gum problems early helps prevent the bone loss that eventually leads to loose teeth. By addressing issues before they become severe, we can help you keep your natural smile intact and avoid the need for more extensive work.

Fresher Breath and Confidence

Gum disease often causes persistent bad breath that won't go away with mints or mouthwash. By treating the root cause and eliminating harmful bacteria, you'll enjoy fresher breath and feel more confident in close conversations.

Protect Your Overall Health

Your oral health is deeply connected to whole body health. Research has linked gum disease to heart problems, diabetes complications, respiratory issues, and even certain pregnancy concerns.

The Periodontal Treatment Process

Step
1

Getting the Full Picture

We'll start with a careful look at what's happening with your gums. Using gentle examination techniques and digital imaging, we'll measure the spaces between your teeth and gums to determine how advanced the condition is and create a plan that's just right for you.

Step
2

Deep Cleaning

For most patients, we begin with what's essentially a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. We'll carefully remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar hiding below your gumline, then smooth out the roots of your teeth where bacteria tend to stick. This helps your gums heal and snugly reattach to clean, healthy tooth surfaces.

Step
3

Targeted Medication

Sometimes your gums need extra help fighting infection. We might place antimicrobial agents directly into deeper areas or prescribe antibiotics to knock out stubborn bacteria while your tissues heal from the cleaning procedure.

Step
4

Keeping Things Healthy

After we've addressed the active infection, the focus shifts to prevention. We'll create a personalized maintenance schedule—typically a cleaning every 3-4 months instead of the standard 6 months. These more frequent visits are crucial for keeping the disease from creeping back and protecting the progress we've made.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Watch for bleeding when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath that won't go away, gums pulling away from your teeth, red or puffy gums, tender spots, or teeth that feel loose. That said, early gum disease can be sneaky with no obvious signs, which is why those regular check-ups are so important for catching problems early.

Is periodontal treatment painful?

We use effective numbing techniques to ensure you're comfortable throughout treatment. Most patients tell us afterward, "That was much easier than I expected!" If you're anxious about treatment, just let us know—we have additional options to help you relax.

Can gum disease come back after treatment?

It can, which is why the maintenance phase is so important. Think of it like managing a chronic condition—with the right home care routine, regular professional maintenance, and lifestyle choices like not smoking, most of our patients successfully keep gum disease under control for years.