Huntsville SmilesDentistry
Hours (705) 788-9229

Spring · Everyday care

Gum care

Moss and soil cling to the granite and hold everything in place. Your gums are the quiet ground your teeth stand in.

Healthy gums hold your teeth in place. Gum disease often starts quietly, so we watch for early signs and treat them gently and conservatively.

(705) 788-9229
Bright green moss and lichen growing on a pink-grey granite boulder at the edge of clear lake water

Gum disease starts when plaque builds up along the gumline. Your gums turn red and puffy, and they may bleed. This early stage is called gingivitis. It can usually be reversed with good cleaning at home and in our chair.

Left untreated, it can become periodontitis. The gums pull away from the teeth, and the bone that supports them slowly breaks down. Over time, teeth can loosen. Gum disease is also linked with diabetes and heart disease, so caring for your gums is part of caring for your whole body.

How it works

  1. 01

    Measuring your gums

    We gently measure the space between each tooth and the gum. This shows how healthy your gums are and lets us track changes.

  2. 02

    Checking the bone

    X-rays show the level of bone around your teeth, which we can’t see just by looking.

  3. 03

    Deep cleaning

    If needed, we clean below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces. This is called scaling and root planing. We numb the area first so you stay comfortable.

  4. 04

    Home care coaching

    We show you simple ways to clean along the gumline and between your teeth, with tools that suit your hands and habits.

  5. 05

    Follow-up visits

    We recheck your gums in a few weeks, then set a cleaning schedule that helps keep them stable. More serious cases may be referred to a specialist.

Afterwards

After a deep cleaning, your gums may be tender and your teeth a bit sensitive for a few days. Rinsing with warm salt water and using a soft brush can help. As your gums heal, they often tighten, and bleeding usually settles. Daily home care and regular cleanings are what keep them healthy.

Questions people ask

Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I floss?

It’s common, but it isn’t normal. Bleeding is often an early sign of inflamed gums. Early gum disease can usually be reversed with daily cleaning and regular visits.

Does a deep cleaning hurt?

We numb the area thoroughly first, so you should feel pressure but not sharp pain. Your gums may be sore for a few days afterwards.

Can gum disease be cured?

Early gum disease (gingivitis) can usually be reversed. Later-stage gum disease can’t be fully undone, but it can often be controlled so it doesn’t get worse.

Will insurance cover gum treatment?

Costs depend on how much treatment you need and on your plan. We’ll give you a written estimate before we begin, and we can send a pre-determination to your insurer.

Related care

Along the same trail

All care
Two wooden toothbrushes in a speckled stoneware cup on a granite windowsill, beside a sprig of cedar and a glass of water Check-ups & cleanings Regular exams, cleanings and x-rays that catch small problems early. Learn more Oil painting of a young white pine growing from a crack in pink granite on a lakeshore, with blue hills beyond Dental implants A new root for a missing tooth, topped with a natural-looking crown. Learn more A laughing grandfather and his young grandchild fishing together off a wooden dock in warm evening light Complete & partial dentures Complete and partial dentures, plus repairs and relines for a comfortable fit. Learn more

Come sit a while.

New patients, returning patients and visitors to Muskoka are all welcome. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll find a time that suits you.

(705) 788-9229

Hours: Mon–Thu, 8 am – 5 pm