Periodontal Disease Treatment — A More Effective Way to Treat Gum Disease


What is Periodontal Disease and Periodontitis?


Periodontal disease is the technical term for gum disease — a chronic inflammatory condition caused by a microbial imbalance that affects the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and the bone that holds your teeth in place.

What are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease and Periodontitis?


Periodontal disease and periodontitis (advanced periodontal disease) appear in the mouth through visible signs like bleeding gums, gum recession (where small pockets appear between the teeth and surrounding gums) and loosening of teeth. Other symptoms include bad breath and visible signs of plaque buildup around the teeth.


Periodontal Disease and Periodontitis Affect More Than Oral Health


However, the effects of periodontal disease and periodontitis are not confined to the mouth. The complex mix of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and even viruses that disturb your oral microbiome's delicate balance often triggers an aggressive immune response, which drives chronic systemic inflammation — affecting the entire body and driving systemic disease.


So severe are the effects of periodontal disease and periodontitis outside of the mouth that they have been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic fatigue and even Alzheimer's.



The Problem With Most Periodontal Disease Treatment


The problem with most periodontal disease treatment methods is that they are confined to the mouth — failing to address the systemic effects of gum disease. The second failing — and perhaps the biggest impediment to driving positive outcomes in periodontal disease treatment — is that patients are often poorly informed, with most dentists simply recommending their patients brush and floss more.


Why Patient Literacy is Key When it Comes to Periodontal Disease Treatment


When it comes to periodontal disease treatment, the thing that matters most is patient literacy — in other words, improving the patient's understanding of the periodontal disease so that they are better equipped to manage it.


When patients clearly understand what periodontal disease is, what causes it and how their daily habits influence outcomes, they're more likely to follow treatment protocols and take an active role in their care. This improved engagement is essential because the success of periodontal disease treatment relies not only on what happens in the clinic but also on the patient's ability to maintain consistent routines at home.



The Microscope: The Key to Improving Patient Literacy in Periodontal Disease Treatment


Rather than relying on abstract explanations or vague warnings about "plaque and bacteria," microscopy allows patients to see periodontal disease for themselves. Harmful bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses become visible in real-time — displayed on a screen, live from the patient's mouth. This is important to the success of periodontal disease treatment for several reasons.


Measuring and Tracking


Like tracking fitness progress or watching weight loss on a scale, using a microscope introduces a measurable element to oral health. By integrating the microscopes into our periodontal diseased treatment, patients can compare their microbial load at each visit — and see improvements in their periodontal health over time.


Reinforcement


Seeing fewer microorganisms, improved tissue response or cleaner plaque samples reinforces the value of their daily routines outside of the dentist chair. This positive feedback loop strengthens long-term commitment to gum disease treatment and management — ultimately improving outcomes.



How a Microscope is Integrated Into Periodontal Disease Treatment


Informed by decades of experience in periodontal disease treatment, we've devised a methodology that yields the best outcomes when treating gum disease and restoring the health of our patients. Broken into three distinct phases — each employing the use of a microscope — it is as follows:


1. Initial Assessment

  • A full periodontal chart is completed, including bone loss calculation.
  • The patient fills out a comprehensive health and lifestyle questionnaire to identify risk factors that may be contributing to the microbial imbalance driving periodontal disease.
  • Plaque samples are taken from diseased periodontal pockets and viewed immediately under a dark-phase microscope.
  • The patient is educated on:
  • Live microscopy analysis allows the patient to witness their infection directly.
  • A personalised home care regime is then developed, with guidance and coaching provided on brushing technique, interdental cleaning, and adjunctive care.


2. Treatment Phase

  • At follow-up visits, the microscope is used again to monitor:
  • Further plaque samples are taken at each visit, providing real-time feedback on progress.
  • Disclosing pellets are used during coaching sessions to help patients identify areas they may be missing during brushing.
  • Treatment includes regular biofilm disruption and gradual calculus removal, starting superficially and progressing deeper over time.


3. Maintenance and Long-Term Follow-Up

  • Once the periodontal disease is under control, patients enter a maintenance phase, where periodic microscope assessments continue.
  • This ensures:
  • Most importantly, the patient remains in control — equipped with the knowledge, tools, and visual feedback to maintain their results.


A Protocol to Create Measurable Change in Periodontal Disease


Another key distinction between our approach and others is that our treatment goes beyond standardised advice like "brush and floss more". Instead, it encompasses a specially designed oral health protocol — using specially formulated products and treatments — that actively restores balance to the oral microbiome by targeting the root cause of periodontal disease. To learn more about our specially formulated oral care protocol and how it helps combat periodontal disease, click here.



Do You Suffer From Periodontal Disease?


If you've noticed tender, bleeding, or receding gums — or any other signs of periodontal disease or periodontitis — we strongly recommend consulting a specialist dentist as soon as possible. Periodontal disease is often an undiagnosed catalyst for chronic and systemic disease, and if left unchecked, it can wreak havoc on your health.