Basic treatment for gum disease is the removal of bacterial plaque, bacterial toxic by-products and calcified deposits (calculus or tartar). Dental hygiene care aims to prevent, arrest, control or eliminate the infection in the gums or periodontal (bone and ligaments around each tooth) tissues.  Non-surgical therapy is a mode of treatment that seeks first to arrest or control the gum infection without surgery.

The focus of clinical treatment is on the elimination of the causes of the infection.  The surfaces of the teeth are cleaned (debrided) utilizing manual or power driven instruments.  A key factor in the success of a non-surgical approach to treating gum disease depends on the control of the bacterial plaque by the patient on a daily basis.