Periodontal Disease Treatment Olympia

At our Olympia, WA dental office, we focus on dentistry for the whole family, offering comprehensive services to patients of all ages. We emphasize preventative care at every visit to help you avoid the buildup of plaque and bacteria that contribute to gum irritation and early-stage periodontal concerns.

The signs and symptoms of gum disease, even in its earlier stages, are often very obvious and may include:

If you notice any of these early signs, we encourage you to call Impressions Dentistry so we can evaluate your gum health before the problem progresses. Addressing concerns early is one of the most effective ways to protect your teeth and gums, and our advanced diagnostic technology allows us to identify issues long before they become painful or difficult to treat. When needed, gentle periodontal therapy—including laser-assisted care—can help restore gum health, but our goal is always to guide you toward habits and preventative steps that keep your smile healthy for the long term.

Most early-stage gum problems can be managed with preventative care, including cleanings, improved at-home routines, and ongoing monitoring to stop the disease from progressing. As gum disease advances, treatment becomes more restorative in nature, focusing on repairing damaged tissues, addressing bone loss, and replacing teeth when necessary. This is why early detection is one of the most powerful tools for protecting long-term gum health.

There are four progressive stages of gum disease:

• Gingivitis: This occurs when there’s a buildup up bacteria. Even in the earlier stages, inflammation around the gums is visible to the naked eye as gum tissue will look red and swollen. Gums that are easily irritated or that bleed during tooth brushing usually indicate gingivitis. Removal of the buildup (plaque) is necessary to prevent the gum disease from advancing to the next stage.
• Early periodontitis: As the gums become more inflamed, they pull away from the teeth, forming spaces known as “periodontal pockets.” Food, bacteria, and plaque begin to collect in the pockets, which leads to infection as the bacteria damage the bone.
• Moderate periodontitis: The symptoms of periodontitis become more severe as inflammation spreads, and some discomfort may occur at this stage. In this stage, more supporting bone is lost, teeth loosen, and the gums recede even more.
• Advanced periodontitis: Tooth loss and painful abscesses will occur when gum disease advances to this stage as the infection has spread beneath the gums. When teeth cannot be saved, replacement options such as dental implants may be discussed during your treatment planning to help restore function and maintain jawbone health.

Periodontal treatment can be preventative or restorative depending on how early the disease is detected. Our goal is always to intervene as early as possible to help you avoid the advanced stages of gum disease and preserve your natural teeth. Your gum disease treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and how advanced the disease is, your general health, your oral health, and the recommendations of Dr. Bath. For patients who have already experienced tooth loss due to advanced gum disease, we can also discuss long-term replacement options, including dental implants, to help restore your bite and maintain your oral function. At the early signs of gingivitis, we may recommend simple changes to your oral hygiene routine:

For more severe cases, we might recommend a deep cleaning called “Scaling and Root Planing.” This intense cleaning procedure removes bacteria from between your teeth and gums using special instruments and revolutionary technology.

Our gum disease treatment will also help the gums stick in place better, making it harder for bacteria to penetrate your delicate gum tissue. Our state-of-the-art dental laser allows for a much more gentle cleaning experience, and the laser also has bacteria in and around the gums. Our technology can stop gum disease, but you must take the first step to combat this dangerous disease by contacting us for an initial evaluation.

In very rare cases, gum disease may be too advanced for traditional periodontal treatment. If this were to be your case, we may discuss our recommended treatment plan in collaboration with a gum specialist (periodontist).