Periodontal Care

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It often does not hurt, so many people do not know they have it. A dentist or hygienist measures the spaces around your teeth and checks for bleeding and bone loss. Care depends on the stage, from a thorough cleaning to more involved treatment.

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Often no warning signs

You can have gum disease and feel nothing. Regular checkups and gum exams are how many people find out.

Two main stages

Gingivitis is the early stage, with red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Periodontitis is advanced and can damage the bone that holds teeth.

Tobacco raises the stakes

NIDCR, part of the NIH, calls smoking or using tobacco the most significant risk factor. Tobacco can also delay healing.

Home care and visits go together

Brushing, cleaning between teeth and professional visits all play a part in keeping gum disease from coming back.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions and progressing stages that degrade the periodontium: the soft tissues and bone surrounding your teeth. The symptoms can range from sore gums to mouth ulcers and tooth loss. The inflammation of the gums (also called gingivitis) is the first stage of periodontal disease. Without sustained oral hygiene, over time gingivitis will lead to recession of the gums, loss of teeth, or loss of supporting dentin. If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, schedule a check-up with Town Center Dental today.

What Does it Mean When My Gums Bleed?

Gums that bleed easily when flossing or brushing may be showing signs of gingivitis or other periodontal disease. Gingivitis is a milder periodontal disease and a first-stage gum disease. Symptoms include red, tender, and swollen gums. Loss of gum attachment from teeth and bone loss are signs of more advanced gum disease and should be treated by a dental professional immediately. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from gum disease, schedule an appointment with us.

Best Treatment for Gum Disease

There are many treatments for gum disease, depending on the stage of the disease, your health, your lifestyle, and how you may have responded to earlier treatments. Treatments range from nonsurgical therapies to therapies that restore supportive tissues and reduce bacterial growth. Nonsurgical therapies include dental cleanings, where our dental hygienist will perform plaque scrapings that help prevent the buildup of bacteria and fight gum recession. Scaling and root planing is another nonsurgical therapy where plaque and tartar below the gumline is scraped away and the rough areas on the root of the tooth are made smooth. In some cases, nonsurgical therapies are all that is needed to treat gum disease. Surgeries are needed when the tissues surrounding the teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with other treatments. Antibiotic treatments may be used alone or in combination with surgeries or other therapies. Visit us to speak with a dentist about a treatment plan.

Tobacco Use Causes Gum Disease

The American Dental Association advises that cigarette smoking can lead to a variety of adverse oral effects, including gingival recession, impaired healing following periodontal therapy, oral cancer, mucosal lesions, periodontal disease, and teeth staining. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking lowers the immune system, making a person more prone to gum disease. The use of smokeless tobacco also has negative oral effects, including gingival keratosis, gingival recession, and enamel erosion.

How to Prepare for Treatment of Gum Disease

Town Center Dental is prepared to perform most periodontal care procedures in our office. If you use tobacco consult one of our dentists about a potential treatment for ceasing your tobacco use. The time needed to perform the procedure, and the time needed to heal, will vary from patient to patient depending on the type and extent of the procedure and overall health. Local anesthetics to numb the affected area before treatment may be used in some treatments.

Call us at 636-273-5866 to arrange a checkup with one of our dentists.

Gingivitis and periodontitis side by side

Feature	Gingivitis (early)	Periodontitis (advanced)
Gums	Red, swollen, bleed easily	Gums pull away from teeth and form deep pockets
Bone and tissue	Support tissues are intact	Tissue and bone that support teeth can be lost
Teeth	Feel firm	May feel loose or start to shift
Usual care	Professional cleaning and better daily cleaning at home	Deeper cleaning under the gumline, follow-up visits, sometimes more care
What you may notice	Bleeding when you brush or floss	Often nothing until it is advanced

How does a dentist check for gum disease?

The exam has a few parts. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) says a dentist or hygienist examines your gums for inflammation, bleeding and gums that pull away from the teeth. They use a tiny ruler called a probe to measure the spaces around each tooth. In a healthy mouth those spaces are shallow. Deeper spaces are called periodontal pockets.

The dentist also checks your teeth for looseness, asks about your health history, and may take x-rays to look for bone loss. Conditions such as diabetes and habits such as tobacco use affect your gums, so your history matters.

The numbers are recorded in a periodontal chart so your team can compare them at later visits. If you notice bleeding when you brush or floss, do not wait for your next cleaning. Request an appointment and tell the team what you have seen. Our blog post on why gums bleed explains common causes.

What is a deep cleaning, and when is it needed?

A deep cleaning treats gum disease below the gumline. The American Dental Association explains that scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gumline used to treat gum disease. Scaling removes plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. Root planing smooths the tooth roots so the gums can reattach.

It is used when pockets are too deep for a regular cleaning to reach. If gum disease is caught early and has not damaged the structures below the gumline, a regular professional cleaning may be enough. Your dentist decides which one you need after measuring your gums.

After a deep cleaning, the ADA says you may have pain for a day or two and tooth sensitivity for up to a week. Your gums may be swollen, tender and bleed. Your dentist schedules another visit to see how your gums healed and to measure the pockets again. If they are deeper, you may need more treatment. See the glossary entry on scaling and root planing, or our post on regular vs deep cleaning.

How can I lower my risk of gum disease?

Daily habits matter. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with a soft brush, cleaning between your teeth daily, eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and seeing your dentist regularly. NIDCR notes that only a professional cleaning can remove hardened plaque, called tartar.

Tobacco deserves special mention. NIDCR calls smoking or using tobacco the most significant risk factor, and says tobacco can delay healing and make treatment less successful. If you use tobacco, talk with your dentist about options.

Some conditions raise the stakes too. The ADA says a link between gum disease and other health conditions is not conclusive, but some studies indicate that severe gum disease may be associated with diabetes or stroke. Tell your dentist about your health history so your care fits your situation.

Regular teeth cleanings and checkups give your team a chance to catch changes early. Our gum disease guide goes deeper.

Questions about periodontal care

Read the guideGum Disease: How to Spot It and How Dentists Treat It

What does a deep cleaning involve, and what is it like before and after?

The American Dental Association describes scaling and root planing as a deep cleaning below the gumline. Afterward you may have pain for a day or two and sensitivity for up to a week. Your gums may be swollen, tender or bleed. Your dentist books a follow-up visit.

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is the early stage, with red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Periodontitis is advanced and can lead to loss of the tissue and bone that support the teeth. Care differs by stage, and your dentist decides which fits your gums.

Why do my gums bleed?

The American Dental Association says there are many reasons gums bleed. It can be a sign of gingivitis. A new flossing routine, pregnancy or certain medicines can also play a part. If your gums bleed regularly, make an appointment so a dentist can find the cause.

Is there a link between diabetes and gum disease?

The American Dental Association says a link is not conclusive, but some studies suggest severe gum disease may be associated with diabetes or stroke. Tell your dentist about your health history, and ask your doctor how your gums fit into your care.

Can gum disease cause loose teeth?

Yes, in advanced cases. The American Dental Association says periodontitis can lead to loss of the tissue and bone that support the teeth, and teeth may feel loose and start to move. See your dentist if a tooth feels loose.

Does smoking affect gum treatment?

Yes. The NIDCR says tobacco use can delay healing and make treatment for gum disease less successful. Tell your dentist if you use any tobacco product, including vapes, and ask about ways to cut back.

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