

Your gums play a vital role in supporting your teeth and protecting your overall oral health. When gum disease develops, it can silently damage the soft tissues and bone around your teeth, often without causing pain in its early stages. At PoCo Dental Group, we provide comprehensive gum disease treatment in Port Coquitlam to diagnose periodontal disease early, eliminate infection, and help preserve your healthy smile.
Whether you’ve noticed bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, or loose teeth, our experienced dental team offers customized treatment plans designed to stop the progression of gum disease and restore your oral health.
Since 1992, we’ve proudly helped patients throughout Port Coquitlam maintain healthy gums through preventive care, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate treatment.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and the supporting structures around your teeth. It develops when plaque and tartar accumulate along the gumline, allowing harmful bacteria to trigger inflammation and infection.
In its earliest stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis, which causes inflammation of the gums but does not affect the supporting bone. With professional treatment and good oral hygiene, gingivitis is often reversible.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, where the infection spreads below the gums and begins damaging the bone and connective tissues that hold your teeth in place. As the disease advances, gum pockets deepen, bone loss occurs, and teeth may eventually become loose or fall out.
Early diagnosis and treatment are the most effective ways to prevent permanent damage and maintain long-term oral health.
Gum disease often progresses slowly, and many patients experience few or no symptoms during the early stages. Recognizing the warning signs can help you seek treatment before the condition becomes more serious.
Common symptoms include:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a periodontal evaluation as soon as possible.
The primary cause of gum disease is the buildup of plaque—a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. Without regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, plaque hardens into tartar, creating an environment where harmful bacteria thrive.
Several factors can also increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, including:
Understanding your individual risk factors allows us to develop a treatment and prevention plan tailored to your needs.
Periodontal disease develops gradually over time. Knowing its stages helps explain why early treatment is so important.
This is the earliest stage of gum disease. The gums become inflamed, swollen, and may bleed during brushing or flossing. At this stage, there is no bone loss, making gingivitis reversible with professional care and improved oral hygiene.
As bacteria move beneath the gumline, small pockets begin forming between the gums and teeth. Early bone loss may occur, and professional periodontal treatment becomes necessary to stop the infection.
Without treatment, the infection continues to damage the bone and connective tissues supporting the teeth. Symptoms such as persistent bad breath, gum recession, and increased tooth mobility may become more noticeable.
In the final stage, significant bone loss and deep periodontal pockets develop. Teeth may become loose or eventually require extraction if the supporting structures can no longer hold them securely in place.
The most appropriate treatment depends on the stage of your gum disease and the overall health of your teeth and gums. After a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, our dental team will recommend a personalized treatment plan designed to eliminate infection, preserve healthy tissues, and protect your natural teeth.
If gum disease is diagnosed during its earliest stage (gingivitis), a professional dental cleaning combined with improved oral hygiene may be enough to remove plaque and bacteria before permanent damage occurs.
For patients with early to moderate periodontitis, scaling and root planing—commonly known as a deep cleaning—removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from beneath the gumline. The tooth roots are then smoothed to help the gums heal and reattach more effectively.
Following active treatment, regular periodontal maintenance appointments help control harmful bacteria, monitor your gum health, and reduce the risk of recurring infection. These visits are typically scheduled every three to four months, depending on your individual needs.
For more advanced cases, additional periodontal procedures may be recommended to manage severe gum disease and preserve your oral health. If specialized care is required, we may refer you to a trusted periodontal specialist for advanced treatment.
Successful long-term management of gum disease also depends on daily oral hygiene. Our team will provide personalized recommendations for brushing, flossing, and home care techniques to help keep your gums healthy between appointments.
Gum disease doesn’t just affect your gums—it can also impact the health of your teeth and supporting bone. Left untreated, periodontal disease may continue to progress, increasing the risk of tooth loss and other oral health complications.
Seeking treatment early can help:
Professional periodontal care helps protect both your smile and your long-term oral wellness.
Patients throughout Port Coquitlam trust PoCo Dental Group because we provide comprehensive periodontal care with a focus on early diagnosis, patient education, and long-term oral health. Our goal is to help you restore healthy gums while preventing future complications.
Our knowledgeable dental professionals have extensive experience diagnosing and treating gum disease using evidence-based techniques tailored to each patient’s needs.
We understand that periodontal treatment can feel overwhelming. Our team takes the time to explain every step of your care and uses gentle techniques to keep you comfortable throughout your visit.
Advanced imaging and comprehensive periodontal assessments help us accurately diagnose gum disease and create effective, personalized treatment plans.
We don’t just treat gum disease—we work with you to develop an ongoing maintenance plan that helps keep your gums healthy and prevents future problems.
We offer convenient appointment times, including evening and Saturday appointments, making it easier to receive the periodontal care you need.
Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or gum sensitivity may be early warning signs of periodontal disease. The sooner gum disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and manage. At PoCo Dental Group, we’re here to help you restore healthy gums with personalized care in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Contact us today to schedule your periodontal evaluation and take the first step toward healthier gums and a healthier smile.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and affects only the gums. It is usually reversible with professional treatment and good oral hygiene. Periodontitis is a more advanced stage that damages the gums and supporting bone, potentially leading to tooth loss if left untreated.
Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) can often be reversed with professional care and improved oral hygiene. Advanced periodontal disease can usually be managed successfully with ongoing treatment and maintenance.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during treatment. Local anesthesia may be used during deep cleaning procedures to help ensure a comfortable experience.
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline while smoothing the tooth roots to promote healing.
Brushing twice daily, flossing every day, attending regular dental cleanings and exams, avoiding tobacco products, and maintaining good overall health can significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for periodontal treatment when it is medically necessary. Our team can review your benefits and provide direct billing whenever possible.
Yes. If left untreated, advanced periodontal disease can damage the bone and tissues supporting your teeth, eventually leading to loose teeth and tooth loss.
The frequency depends on the severity of your gum disease and your individual oral health needs. Many patients benefit from periodontal maintenance visits every three to four months to help keep the disease under control.