Female patient relaxing in dental chair before periodontal therapy treatment

Gum Disease is More Serious Than You Realize

Nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease and many of them have no idea. Gum disease is often silent in its early stages, progressing without significant pain or obvious symptoms until it has already caused meaningful damage to the gum tissue, bone, and structures that hold your teeth in place.

At Seven Bridges Dental Studio, we take gum health seriously because the research is clear. Untreated gum disease doesn't just threaten your smile. It has been directly linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory illness, and pregnancy complications. Keeping your gums healthy is one of the most important things you can do for your overall well-being, not just your teeth.

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Understanding Gum Disease, From Gingivitis to Periodontitis

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. It develops when plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth, is not removed consistently and thoroughly. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed professionally, and the bacteria within it begin to irritate and infect the surrounding gum tissue.

Gum disease progresses in stages and the earlier it is caught, the easier and more effective treatment becomes.

Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease, causing red, swollen, or bleeding gums. With professional care and good oral hygiene, it is completely reversible.
Mild to Moderate Periodontitis: Infection spreads below the gumline, creating pockets that trap bacteria and begin damaging supporting tissues. Deep cleaning is needed to stop progression.
Advanced Periodontitis: Significant bone loss, gum recession, and loose teeth can occur. Treatment may include deep cleanings, antibiotics, and specialized periodontal care.

Periodontal Therapy at Seven Bridges Dental Studio

The right treatment for gum disease depends entirely on how far it has progressed. Dr. Querishi will evaluate your gum health thoroughly, measuring pocket depths, assessing bone levels with X-rays, and charting any recession, before recommending the most appropriate and conservative treatment path for your specific situation.

Catch Problems Early - Decay and gum disease rarely hurt until they're advanced. Regular exams allow Dr. Querishi to intercept issues at their earliest, most treatable stage — saving you time, money, and discomfort.
Protect More Than Your Smile - Gum disease has been directly linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Keeping your mouth healthy is one of the best things you can do for your overall well-being.
Look & Feel Your Best - Professional cleanings remove years of surface staining and buildup that brushing simply can't touch, leaving your teeth visibly brighter and your breath consistently fresher.

What to Expect During Your Periodontal Treatment Appointment

Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation

Your periodontal evaluation begins with a thorough assessment of your gum health, including pocket depth measurements at six points around every tooth, a review of your X-rays for signs of bone loss, and a visual examination of your gum tissue for recession, inflammation, and bleeding. Dr. Querishi will walk you through her findings clearly and explain exactly what they mean for your treatment plan.

Personalized Treatment Planning

Based on your evaluation, Dr. Querishi will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your level of gum disease. She'll explain each option, what to expect during and after treatment, and answer every question you have before anything begins.

Scaling & Root Planing

If a deep cleaning is recommended, it is typically performed in two appointments, one half of the mouth per visit, under local anesthesia, so you remain completely comfortable throughout. Our hygienists work carefully and methodically to ensure every surface is thoroughly cleaned.

Healing & Follow-Up

Four to six weeks after your deep cleaning, Dr. Querishi will evaluate how your gum tissue has responded to treatment, re-measuring pocket depths and assessing healing. Based on this evaluation, she'll determine whether additional treatment is needed or whether you're ready to transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule.

Ongoing Periodontal Maintenance

Long-term gum health requires consistent professional maintenance. Your personalized maintenance schedule, typically every three to four months, keeps bacterial levels in check, monitors for any signs of disease recurrence, and protects the investment you've made in your oral health.

Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

Deep cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline while smoothing tooth roots to help gums heal and reattach. Treatment is performed under local anesthesia and is typically completed over two visits.

Antibiotic Therapy: Antibiotics may be recommended alongside deep cleaning to help eliminate bacteria and reduce infection. Depending on your needs, they may be placed directly into gum pockets or prescribed orally.
Periodontal Maintenance: After treatment, regular periodontal maintenance visits every 3–4 months help prevent disease recurrence, monitor gum health, and keep your smile stable long-term.

Don't Wait Until Your Gums Are Telling You Something is Wrong

Gum disease rarely causes significant pain until it has already caused significant damage. If your gums bleed when you brush, you've noticed persistent bad breath, or it's simply been a while since your last professional cleaning, now is the right time to come in. Dr. Querishi and our team are welcoming new patients and will meet you exactly where you are, without judgment.

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Serving patients in Woodridge, Darien, Lisle, Bolingbrook & surrounding communities

Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Therapy

The earliest sign of gum disease is gingivitis — characterized by gums that bleed when brushing or flossing, appear red or swollen, or feel tender to the touch. Many people assume bleeding gums are normal, but healthy gums should not bleed during routine oral hygiene. If you notice any of these signs, schedule an evaluation at Seven Bridges Dental Studio as soon as possible — gingivitis is fully reversible when caught early.

No — they are meaningfully different procedures. A routine prophylaxis cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline and is a preventive procedure for patients with healthy gums. Scaling and root planing — commonly called a deep cleaning — goes significantly deeper beneath the gumline to remove tartar and bacterial deposits from the root surfaces of teeth, and is a therapeutic treatment for active gum disease. The two are not interchangeable.

The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you should feel little to no discomfort during treatment. Some patients experience mild soreness and sensitivity in the days following their deep cleaning, which is completely normal as the gum tissue heals. Over-the-counter pain relievers are typically sufficient to manage any post-treatment discomfort. Our team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to make recovery as smooth as possible.

Scaling and root planing is typically performed over two appointments — one side of the mouth per visit — spaced about one to two weeks apart. A follow-up evaluation is scheduled four to six weeks later to assess your healing and determine whether additional treatment is needed or whether you're ready to begin a maintenance schedule. The total number of appointments varies depending on the severity of your gum disease.

Gingivitis — the earliest stage — is fully reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. More advanced periodontitis cannot be fully cured, but it can be effectively controlled and managed with consistent treatment and ongoing periodontal maintenance visits. The goal of periodontal therapy is to stop the progression of the disease, allow the tissue to heal, and prevent recurrence — which is entirely achievable for the vast majority of patients who commit to their maintenance schedule.

Research has established a significant bidirectional relationship between gum disease and several systemic health conditions. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gum tissue and contribute to chronic inflammation throughout the body — which has been directly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and difficulty controlling blood sugar in diabetic patients. Treating gum disease has been shown to have measurable positive effects on both heart health markers and glycemic control. It's one of the most compelling reasons to take your gum health seriously.

Most patients who have been treated for gum disease are placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule of every three to four months — rather than the standard six-month interval for patients with healthy gums. This more frequent schedule allows our team to monitor pocket depths, remove bacterial buildup before it reaches harmful levels, and catch any early signs of recurrence before they progress. Consistent periodontal maintenance is the single most important factor in keeping gum disease under long-term control.

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(630) 796-0769

Periodontal Therapy in Woodridge, IL