Take Action Against Gum Disease Before It Progresses
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection and inflammation affecting the gums and the bone that support your teeth. It often begins when plaque and bacteria accumulate around the gumline and eventually harden into tartar. Without appropriate treatment, these irritants can damage gum tissue and the supporting bone around the teeth.
At Valley Family Dentistry in Livermore, CA, periodontal treatment is based on the type and severity of gum disease. Early gingivitis may be managed with professional dental cleanings and improved daily oral hygiene, while more advanced periodontal disease may require scaling and root planing, commonly called a deep cleaning. Because gum disease can develop without significant pain in its early stages, recognizing changes in your gums and maintaining regular dental visits are important parts of protecting your oral health.
Schedule a Gum Disease EvaluationRecognizing the Signs of Gum Disease
Healthy gums should not routinely bleed, appear red or swollen, or feel tender. Possible signs of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, new spaces developing between teeth, pus around the gums, and gum tenderness or discomfort.
If you notice one or more of these symptoms, a periodontal evaluation can help determine whether gum disease is present and how advanced it may be.
Personalized Treatment for Every Stage of Gum Disease
The appropriate gum disease treatment depends on the condition of the gums, the depth and health of the periodontal pockets, and whether supporting bone or tissue has been affected. Valley Family Dentistry evaluates the condition of the gums and recommends treatment based on the severity of periodontal disease.
Gingivitis Treatment
When gum disease is caught in its early stage as gingivitis, and there has not been damage to the supporting structures, one or two regular professional cleanings may be recommended. Improved daily oral hygiene and consistent dental cleanings can help control plaque and support healthier gums.
Scaling and Root Planing
More advanced gum disease may require scaling and root planing, commonly referred to as a periodontal deep cleaning. During this treatment, plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins are removed from above and below the gumline. The root surfaces are then smoothed to help the gum tissue heal and allow periodontal pockets to shrink.
Periodontal Treatment for Persistent Gum Pockets
If periodontal pockets do not respond adequately to scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be recommended to reduce pocket depth and make the teeth easier to keep clean. In some cases, referral to a periodontist, a specialist who focuses on the gums and supporting bone, may also be appropriate.
What to Expect During Gum Disease Treatment
Your periodontal treatment will depend on the severity of the disease and the response of your gums to treatment. Valley Family Dentistry uses different approaches for early and more advanced stages of periodontal disease.
Begin With a Periodontal Evaluation
The first step is evaluating the health of your gums and supporting tissues. This helps identify signs of periodontal disease and determine how advanced the condition may be.
Determine the Appropriate Level of Treatment
If the condition is limited to early gingivitis without damage to supporting structures, regular professional cleanings and improved home care may be recommended. More advanced periodontal disease may require scaling and root planing.
Remove Plaque, Tartar, and Bacterial Irritants
During scaling and root planing, plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins are removed from both above and below the gumline. Treatment is generally performed one section, or quadrant, of the mouth at a time while the area is numb.
Smooth the Root Surfaces
Root planing smooths rough areas on the tooth roots where bacteria and plaque can accumulate. This creates a cleaner surface and helps the surrounding gum tissue heal while periodontal pockets become smaller.
Support Healing and Infection Control
Depending on your individual periodontal needs, medications, medicated mouth rinses, or an electric toothbrush may be recommended to help control infection and support healing.
Reassess Your Gum Health
Following treatment, the condition of the gums and periodontal pockets can be evaluated to determine how well the tissues have responded. If pockets remain unhealthy after scaling and root planing, additional periodontal treatment or referral to a periodontist may be considered.
Protecting Your Gums After Periodontal Treatment
Treating gum disease is only part of maintaining long-term periodontal health. Consistent plaque control at home, regular professional dental visits, and attention to changes in your gums can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease progressing or returning.
Daily brushing and flossing are important for controlling plaque around the teeth and gumline. Valley Family Dentistry also emphasizes regular dental cleanings and good oral hygiene habits as part of reducing the risk of periodontal disease.
Lifestyle factors can also affect gum health. Smoking, for example, increases the risk of periodontal disease. Maintaining a balanced diet and keeping regular dental appointments can further support your overall oral health.
Don’t Ignore Bleeding or Swollen Gums
Bleeding, red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, or loose teeth can be signs of periodontal disease. Valley Family Dentistry in Livermore, CA, can evaluate your gum health and recommend appropriate treatment based on the condition of your gums and supporting tissues.
Schedule Your ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease treatment depends on its stage and severity. Early gingivitis may be treated with professional dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene, while more advanced periodontal disease may require scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning.
Yes. Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontal disease and may be treated when there has been no damage to the supporting structures. Valley Family Dentistry may recommend one or two professional cleanings along with improved daily oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits.
Scaling and root planing is a periodontal deep cleaning used to treat more advanced gum disease. Scaling removes plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from above and below the gumline, while root planing smooths rough areas of the tooth roots to support gum healing and help periodontal pockets shrink.
A deep cleaning may be recommended when periodontal disease has progressed beyond early gingivitis. Valley Family Dentistry determines the appropriate treatment based on the type and severity of periodontal disease rather than using the same treatment for every patient.
Common warning signs include bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, new spaces between teeth, pus around the teeth and gums, and gum tenderness or discomfort.
Advanced periodontal disease can damage the gums and bone that support the teeth. Bone loss and weakened periodontal fibers can contribute to loose teeth, making periodontal evaluation and treatment important when tooth mobility develops.
Gum disease should not be ignored simply because symptoms are mild or absent. Early periodontal disease can be painless, while untreated plaque and tartar can continue irritating the gums and contributing to damage. Professional evaluation can determine whether treatment is needed.
Good daily oral hygiene, regular dental cleanings, a balanced diet, and consistent dental visits can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Valley Family Dentistry can also recommend appropriate oral hygiene measures based on your individual periodontal needs.