Gum disease treatment

What gum disease actually is

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums and the supporting bone that holds your teeth in place. It starts when plaque, the sticky bacterial film that forms on teeth every day, is not removed thoroughly enough and hardens into tartar. The bacteria in tartar trigger a chronic inflammatory response in the gums. Left alone, that inflammation gradually destroys the gum tissue and the bone underneath, eventually loosening teeth and causing them to fall out.

It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it is often silent. Most patients with early periodontal disease have no pain at all, which is why screening at every routine exam matters. By the time a tooth feels loose or hurts, the damage is already advanced.

The three stages

• Gingivitis. The earliest and only fully reversible stage. Gums are red, slightly swollen, and bleed easily when you brush or floss. No bone loss yet. Treatment is a routine cleaning and better home care, and the gums return to health within a few weeks.
• Early to moderate periodontitis. Bacteria have moved below the gum line, the gum has detached slightly from the tooth forming a pocket, and the body has begun to lose bone around the affected teeth. Treatment is scaling and root planing, often with antibiotic or laser adjuncts, followed by periodontal maintenance every three to four months.
• Advanced periodontitis. Significant bone loss, deeper pockets, gum recession, and sometimes tooth mobility. Non surgical treatment may not be enough. Surgical pocket reduction, regenerative grafting, or extraction of hopeless teeth may be needed. Our in house periodontist handles these cases.

Signs and symptoms to watch for

Call us if you notice any of the following:

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss, even occasionally
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away
• Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth
• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold, especially near the gum line
• Pus or discharge between teeth and gums
• Teeth that feel loose or that have shifted
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

Many of these symptoms come on gradually, so it is easy to write them off. They should not be ignored. Catching gum disease early is the difference between a routine cleaning and oral surgery.

Risk factors and the connection to overall health

Some people are more prone to gum disease than others. Factors that increase risk include:

• Smoking and vaping, which is by far the biggest modifiable risk factor
• Diabetes, especially when poorly controlled
• Genetics and family history of periodontal disease
• Certain medications, including some blood pressure drugs and immunosuppressants
• Hormonal changes from pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause
• Stress, which suppresses immune function
• Poor nutrition, especially vitamin C deficiency
• Inconsistent home care and skipped dental cleanings

Periodontal disease is not just a dental problem. It is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, complications in diabetes management, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and Alzheimer disease. The chronic inflammation and bacterial load from untreated gum disease affect the whole body. Treating it is one of the highest leverage things you can do for your overall health.

Treatment options

We tailor treatment to the severity of your disease, not a one size fits all protocol.

• Routine cleaning and improved home care. The right treatment for gingivitis. A thorough professional cleaning combined with better daily brushing and flossing reverses the inflammation in a few weeks.
• Scaling and root planing. A deeper, therapeutic cleaning under local anesthetic that removes bacteria and tartar from the root surfaces below the gum line. Usually broken into two visits, one quadrant or one half of the mouth at a time. The most common treatment for early to moderate periodontitis.
• Localized antibiotic therapy. A small dose of antibiotic placed directly into a deep pocket after scaling, which can boost healing in stubborn areas.
• Laser bacterial reduction. A dental laser used as an adjunct to scaling to reduce bacterial counts and promote tissue healing. More on laser dentistry.
• Periodontal maintenance. Once your active disease is controlled, you stay on a more frequent recall, usually every three to four months, to prevent it from coming back. This is not the same as a routine cleaning even if it looks similar.
• Surgical periodontal therapy. For advanced cases, our in house periodontist performs pocket reduction surgery, gum grafting, bone grafting, and guided tissue regeneration to save teeth that would otherwise be lost. Meet our periodontist.

Maintenance and prevention

Once you have been treated for periodontal disease, the goal shifts to keeping it from coming back. Patients on a proper periodontal maintenance schedule retain their teeth at much higher rates than patients who let it slide. The fundamentals:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste
• Floss every day or use a water flosser if you cannot floss effectively
• Come in for professional cleanings on the schedule we set, usually every three to four months for periodontal patients
• If you smoke, quitting is the single most effective thing you can do for your gums
• Manage diabetes carefully, since blood sugar control directly affects gum health
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months

Cost and insurance

Most dental insurance plans cover scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance, often at 70% to 80% in network. We are in network with most major PPO plans, file claims directly, and verify benefits before treatment. For self pay patients and balances after insurance, we offer financing through Cherry payment plans.

See accepted insurance plans or request an appointment online.