• 21 John Yeo Drive Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1E 3j3

Diagnosis

Services

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How do we diagnose gum (periodontal) disease?

At Northwest Dentistry, every checkup includes a gum health assessment. If we see signs of inflammation, we perform a periodontal exam to measure the health of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Early, accurate diagnosis lets us stop problems before they progress.

What to Expect at a Periodontal Exam

  1. Medical & dental history review – We note symptoms (bleeding, tenderness, bad breath), risk factors (smoking/vaping, diabetes, dry mouth, family history), and recent changes.
  2. Periodontal charting – Using a small, gentle instrument called a periodontal probe, we measure the natural space between your tooth and gum (the sulcus).
    • Healthy: depths 1–3 mm with little to no bleeding
    • Disease: pockets ≥4 mm and/or bleeding indicate inflammation and possible bone loss
  3. Bleeding & inflammation – We record where gums bleed on probing; bleeding is a sign of active inflammation.
  4. Mobility & recession – We check for loose teeth and measure any gum recession.
  5. Furcation involvement (for multi-rooted teeth) – Indicates disease between roots.
  6. Digital X-rays – Assess bone levels and look for tartar below the gumline, abscesses, or other concerns.

We combine these findings to determine your diagnosis and the best next steps.

How We Classify Gum Disease

Gingivitis (Early Stage)

  • What we see: Red, puffy gums that bleed when brushing/flossing; pockets typically 1–3 mm with bleeding.
  • Bone levels: Normal on X-rays.
  • Good news: Reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.

Periodontitis (Established Disease)

  • What we see: Pockets ≥4 mm, possible recession, and bleeding; tartar below the gumline.
  • Bone levels: Slight to moderate bone loss on X-rays.
  • Goal: Stop progression and reduce pocket depths with scaling and root planing and tailored home care.

Advanced Periodontitis

  • What we see: Deeper pockets (often ≥6 mm), bleeding, tooth mobility, and possible furcation involvement.
  • Bone levels: Moderate to severe bone loss on X-rays.
  • Goal: Control infection and stabilize teeth; may require surgical or regenerative procedures in addition to deep cleaning.

We’ll explain your measurements tooth-by-tooth so you can see exactly what’s happening and why we recommend specific care.

Your Personalized Plan

Based on your diagnosis, we’ll outline a simple, step-by-step plan:

  • Gingivitis: Professional cleaning + home-care coaching; recheck in a few weeks.
  • Periodontitis: Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), localized medications when appropriate, home-care tools, and a re-evaluation after healing.
  • Advanced cases: Consider pocket reduction or regenerative procedures with close maintenance.

After Diagnosis: Monitoring & Maintenance

Once inflammation is controlled, most patients benefit from periodontal maintenance every 3–4 months to keep bacteria in check and pockets stable. This schedule is essential for long-term success and different from a standard 6-month cleaning.

What You Can Do Now

  • Brush 2×/day (2 minutes) with fluoride toothpaste
  • Clean between teeth daily (floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser)
  • Consider an electric toothbrush for more consistent plaque removal
  • Limit frequent sugary/acidic snacks and drinks; sip water often
  • Quit smoking/vaping—we can help with resources
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