Periodontal Care
Improved Oral Health For The Whole Family
Noticing bleeding gums, bad breath, or loose teeth? These are signs of periodontal disease—and ignoring them can lead to bigger problems. Our experienced dentist and staff offer gentle, effective gum disease treatment to protect your smile. We start with deep cleanings or laser treatment options to stop the damage and help your gums heal. With ongoing periodontal care, you’ll keep the foundation of your teeth strong and your smile healthy for the long run.
What is Periodontal Care?
Periodontal care is the care and treatment of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. It focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.
With regular cleanings and prophylaxis, we help you stay ahead of trouble. If things go deeper, we offer deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) and advanced options like laser gum therapy (i.e. LANAP) to gently treat infected tissue. If gum disease isn’t treated, it can lead to tooth loss and even affect your overall health. It’s all about catching problems early and keeping your smile strong for life.
Regular Cleanings
Keeping your smile healthy starts with regular cleanings. Even if you brush and floss daily, plaque can still build up in hard-to-reach spots. That’s where prophylaxis—a professional dental cleaning—comes in. We gently remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains to help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. It’s quick, comfortable, and one of the easiest ways to protect your long-term oral health. Clean teeth feel better, and a healthy mouth supports your overall wellness.
Regular cleanings and prophylaxis from Harbor Lights Dental Care remove plaque, tartar, and stains to prevent dental problems and keep your smile fresh and healthy. Simple, effective, and essential.
Deep Cleanings
If your gums are bleeding, swollen, or pulling away from your teeth, it might be time for deep cleanings. This is more than your regular dental cleaning—it targets buildup below the gumline where bacteria cause real damage. Dr. Pellegrom uses a technique called scaling and root planing to carefully remove plaque and smooth the roots, helping your gums heal and reattach to your teeth. It’s a powerful, non-surgical way to treat gum disease and prevent tooth loss.
Deep cleanings, using scaling and root planing, remove harmful bacteria below the gums, helping treat gum disease and protect your teeth from future damage.
Laser THerapy
Gum disease doesn’t always need surgery. With laser therapy, we treat infection gently and effectively—no cutting or stitches. We use PerioLase, a specialized laser, to perform LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure). This advanced treatment removes bacteria, cleans the pocket, and helps your gums naturally reattach to your teeth. It’s precise, less painful, and speeds up healing compared to traditional methods. If you're looking for minimally invasive option for gum care, laser therapy is a smart choice.
Harbor Lights Dental Care treats gum disease gently—no cutting, no stitches, and faster healing. Laser Therapy is a modern, effective alternative to traditional surgery.
Home Care Tips and Maintenance
Think brushing alone keeps gum disease away? Think again. Healthy gums need more than a quick once-over. Start by brushing twice daily and flossing—yes, every day. Add a water flosser or antimicrobial rinse to fight bacteria your brush misses. If you’ve had treatment like deep cleanings or LANAP, daily care matters even more. Stick to your periodontal care plan, and don’t skip checkups. It’s the easiest way to keep your smile, your gums, and your health on track.
Again, be sure to brush twice, floss daily, rinse with mouthwash, and use a water flosser if needed. Don’t skip cleanings. Great periodontal care starts at home—and keeps your gums healthy between visits.
Complete Care for the Whole Family
Dr. Pellegrom and our staff provide a warm and friendly atmosphere for you and your family. Our family dental services will enhance your oral health and put you at ease. If you’re a Michigan patient in Norton Shores, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, or the surrounding areas and want to learn more about keeping your natural smile healthy give us a call at (616) 842-2850. Or, feel free to fill out our contact form and one of our dedicated team members will reach out to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Early signs include bleeding gums, bad breath, redness, swelling, gum recession, and loose teeth.
How is gum disease treated?
Mild cases may be reversed with regular cleanings and improved home care. Advanced cases may require deep cleanings (scaling and root planing), laser therapy, or surgical care.
Is gum disease reversible?
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, is reversible. Advanced periodontitis can be managed and stabilized with proper treatment and maintenance.
What is periodontal maintenance?
After treatment, you’ll need periodontal care every 3–4 months to keep the disease from returning. These visits are more thorough than standard cleanings.
How can I prevent gum disease at home?
Brush twice daily, floss daily, use an antimicrobial mouthwash, eat a balanced diet, and don’t skip your dental checkups and cleanings.