If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you're not alone. Many adults in the U.S. currently have some form of the disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.
Whether your gum disease is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day, from this point forward.
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless "plaque" on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form "tartar" that brushing doesn't clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called "gingivitis." In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis" (which means "inflammation around the tooth"). In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called "pockets") that become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
People show signs of gum disease as early as their mid to late teens. Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line. Although the gum disease has been present, some may not have symptoms until their 30's or 40's.
Symptoms of gum disease include:
Any of these symptoms may be a sign of a serious problem, which should be checked by a dentist. At your dental visit the dentist or hygienist should:
The main goal of treatment is to control the inflammation. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The doctor may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve treatment outcome.
The dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease. In some cases a laser may be used to remove plaque and tartar. This procedure can result in less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort compared to traditional deep cleaning methods.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of Vita Head, Neck & Facial Pain Relief Center, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth that ranges from reversible gingivitis to destructive periodontitis. It begins when bacterial plaque accumulates along and below the gum line and is not consistently removed by brushing and flossing. Over time plaque hardens into tartar, which cannot be removed by home care and encourages deeper infection.
As bacteria multiply, the immune response and bacterial toxins damage the connective tissue and bone that anchor teeth, producing pockets between teeth and gums. Left untreated, these pockets deepen, teeth can become mobile and bone loss may occur. Early detection and treatment can stop or slow this progression and help preserve natural teeth and oral function.
Common signs of gum disease include gums that are red, swollen or bleed easily with brushing and flossing, persistent bad breath, and a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite. Some patients notice receding gums or teeth that appear longer, sensitivity to temperature, or loose teeth in advanced cases. Often the disease progresses quietly and symptoms can be subtle, especially in the early stages.
Because symptoms may not be obvious, routine dental exams are critical to detect problems before they advance. Your dental provider will measure pocket depths, inspect tissue health and take x-rays when indicated to evaluate bone levels. Prompt attention to even minor symptoms increases the chance of successful, less invasive treatment.
Several factors increase the risk of periodontal disease, including tobacco use, poorly controlled diabetes, certain medications that reduce saliva flow, and genetic susceptibility. Hormonal changes, immune-compromising conditions, and therapies such as chemotherapy can also make gums more vulnerable to infection. Age and a history of inconsistent oral hygiene or infrequent dental care further raise the likelihood of disease progression.
Because risk varies between individuals, a thorough medical and dental history helps identify specific contributors and tailor preventive steps. Patients who have identified risks should be monitored more closely with frequent cleanings and personalized home-care plans to reduce the chance of serious disease.
Diagnosis begins with a clinical exam where the dentist or hygienist evaluates gum color, texture and bleeding and uses a periodontal probe to measure pocket depths around each tooth. Pocket measurements of 1 to 3 millimeters are typically healthy, while deeper pockets indicate attachment loss and the need for treatment. Dental x-rays are commonly used to assess bone levels and identify areas of bone loss that are not visible in the oral exam.
Your provider will review your medical history and medications to uncover contributing factors and may chart findings to monitor changes over time. In some cases the dentist will recommend periodontal charting, microbiological testing or referral to a periodontist for advanced diagnostics and a specialty consultation.
Non-surgical care typically begins with scaling and root planing, a deep-cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and smooths root surfaces to reduce bacterial adhesion. Adjunctive measures can include locally delivered antibiotics such as microspheres placed into periodontal pockets, antimicrobial rinses, or laser therapy when appropriate to reduce bacterial load and inflammation. Treatment is paired with instruction on improved home care techniques to maintain results.
After initial therapy, patients enter a maintenance phase with more frequent professional cleanings and periodontal monitoring to prevent recurrence. Success depends on consistent home care, control of risk factors like smoking and diabetes, and adherence to recommended recall schedules established by your dental team.
Surgical intervention or referral to a periodontist is considered when non-surgical therapy fails to reduce pocket depths, when deep pockets persist, or when there is significant bone loss requiring regenerative procedures. Common surgical options include flap surgery to gain access for thorough cleaning, bone grafting or guided tissue regeneration to rebuild lost bone and support, and soft tissue grafts to correct recession. The goal of surgery is to restore a healthy, maintainable attachment around the tooth.
Referral is also appropriate for complex cases that may involve implant planning, combined restorative-periodontal treatment, or when patient medical conditions require specialized management. Your general dentist will discuss the rationale for referral and coordinate care so treatment is comprehensive and aligned with your overall dental plan.
Smoking is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for periodontal disease; it impairs immune response, reduces blood flow to the gums and diminishes healing after therapy. Smokers are more likely to develop severe disease and respond less favorably to both non-surgical and surgical treatments. Quitting tobacco is one of the most effective steps a patient can take to improve treatment outcomes and long-term oral health.
Diabetes similarly increases susceptibility to infection and can accelerate periodontal breakdown, while severe periodontal disease can make blood sugar harder to control. Good medical management of diabetes improves periodontal treatment response, and conversely successful periodontal therapy can support better glycemic control. Close communication between your dental team and medical provider is important when managing these interconnected conditions.
Daily oral hygiene is the foundation of periodontal disease prevention and long-term control; effective brushing, interdental cleaning and tongue care remove the plaque that causes inflammation. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss, interdental brushes or other recommended devices reduces bacterial buildup in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. Consistent technique and the right tools make a measurable difference in pocket depths and gum health over time.
In addition to home care, routine professional cleanings and periodontal maintenance visits are essential to remove hardened deposits and monitor tissue health. Your dental team can tailor a maintenance interval and recommend specific products and techniques that match your oral anatomy, dexterity and risk profile.
Research has identified associations between periodontal disease and several systemic health issues, including increased risk markers for cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and complications in people with diabetes. Chronic oral inflammation can contribute to a generalized inflammatory burden and may influence conditions elsewhere in the body. While associations do not prove direct causation in every case, the links underscore the importance of recognizing and treating periodontal disease as part of comprehensive health care.
Because of these connections, many dental teams recommend informing your medical providers about periodontal status and coordinating care when systemic conditions are present. Treating periodontal infection can improve oral comfort and function while potentially benefiting overall health and chronic disease management.
At Vita Head, Neck & Facial Pain Relief Center patients receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation that includes medical history review, periodontal probing and digital radiography to assess tissue and bone health. The practice offers non-surgical therapies such as scaling and root planing, adjunctive antimicrobial treatments and personalized maintenance plans to stabilize disease and support long-term oral health. Education on improved home-care techniques and coordination with medical providers are provided when systemic risk factors are present.
If a case requires advanced periodontal surgery or additional specialty procedures, the team will discuss referral options and work collaboratively with periodontists to ensure continuity of care. Follow-up and periodontal maintenance visits are emphasized to monitor healing, prevent recurrence and preserve natural teeth and function.
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Have questions about your symptoms, treatment options, or scheduling an appointment? Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to assist you. Whether you’re seeking relief from TMJ disorders, head and neck pain, facial discomfort, or general dental concerns, we take the time to listen and provide clear, thoughtful answers. From your first call to your ongoing care, we are committed to offering personalized support, helping you understand your options, and guiding you toward lasting comfort, improved function, and exceptional care.
