Periodontal Treatment in St. Clair Shores, MI

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease begins with a buildup of plaque and bacteria on and under the gum line. Gingivitis is the first stage. At this stage, your gums may be red or swollen and may bleed when you brush or floss. Usually, this can be corrected with a good cleaning and better home care.

Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that affects the tissue and bone that support the teeth. The teeth and gums can form pockets, creating even more space for bacteria to grow. If left unchecked, that cycle can eventually result in loose teeth or tooth loss.

Periodontal Services We Offer

We provide gentle, thorough deep cleanings designed to treat gum disease and support your long-term oral health.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is often referred to as a “deep cleaning,” and it’s the standard first-line treatment for gum disease that’s progressed beyond what a routine cleaning can address. It’s a two-part process, and we’ll usually complete it over one or two visits depending on how much treatment is needed.

Scaling is the detailed process of removing plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of your teeth, and more importantly, beneath the gumline where regular brushing and flossing cannot reach. This is where periodontal bacteria tend to collect and cause the most damage.

Root planing is the smoothing of the surfaces of the tooth roots. Rough areas on the root surface offer more places for bacteria to stick and grow, so smoothing them out makes it harder for plaque to rebuild and gives your gum tissue a better opportunity to reattach to the tooth.

Based on the level of gum sensitivity and the extent of the treatment, we usually numb the area in advance, so that you are comfortable during the procedure. Most patients tolerate it well, with mild tenderness for a day or two, similar to what you might feel after a particularly thorough cleaning.

Signs That You Need Periodontal Treatment

Some common signs that gum disease may be present include:

• Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing
• Bad breath that won’t go away
• Red, swollen, or sore gums
• Gums seem to be pulling away from your teeth or receding
• Loose teeth or teeth that move around
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

If any of these sound familiar, that doesn’t automatically mean you have advanced gum disease, but it’s a good reason to schedule an evaluation. Catching it earlier generally makes treatment more straightforward.

What Happens After Treatment

Scaling and root planing gives your gums a chance to heal and start reattaching to your teeth, but the results depend heavily on what happens after you leave our office. We’ll review a home care routine that fits your situation, and in many cases, we’ll want to see you back for a follow-up visit.

These visits help us check how your gums are healing and measure whether those pockets have started to shrink. For some patients, especially those with more advanced gum disease, we may recommend more frequent cleanings going forward, sometimes called periodontal maintenance, to manage the condition long-term.

Gum disease tends to be a condition you manage rather than one you “cure” once and never think about again, so staying consistent with visits matters.

Why Treating Gum Disease Matters

Gum health isn’t just about keeping your teeth in place, though that’s clearly a major part of it. Research has connected gum disease to other areas of overall health, including heart health, diabetes management, and more.

We’re not going to tell you that treating your gums will single-handedly fix unrelated health issues, but keeping inflammation and infection under control in your mouth supports your overall health as well.

And then there’s the daily impact. Constant bad breath, sore gums, or teeth that seem to be shifting can affect your confidence and how you approach every day. It’s usually easier and more comfortable to treat gum disease when it is in its beginning stages than after it has advanced.

Why Choose Us for Periodontal Care in St. Clair Shores, MI

Our team, led by Dr. Monica Rajurs, DMD, checks your gum health as part of every routine exam, not just when something feels wrong. That means periodontal issues are often caught early, before they’ve had a chance to turn into a bigger problem. Dr. Rajurs has been practicing dentistry since 2006, completing her DMD along with an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Detroit Mercy.

We also keep patients in the loop throughout treatment. If scaling and root planing is recommended, Dr. Rajurs will explain what’s going on with your gums, why this treatment makes sense for your case, and what to expect along the way. As a full-service dental practice, we address any other dental needs that come up during treatment in-house.