What Gum Disease Is
Gum disease starts when plaque builds up along the gumline and isn't removed through regular brushing and flossing. In its earliest stage, called gingivitis, gums become inflamed but the condition is still reversible with good home care and a professional cleaning. Left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where the infection begins to affect the bone and tissue supporting your teeth — a more serious, harder-to-reverse stage.
Signs to Watch For
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the earliest and most common signs, even though it's easy to write off as normal. Other signs include redness, swelling, persistent bad breath, gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth, or teeth that feel slightly loose. Because early gum disease often doesn't hurt, these subtle signs are usually the only warning you'll get.
How I Treat It
Early gum disease typically responds well to a thorough professional cleaning combined with better home care. More advanced cases may need a deeper cleaning below the gumline, called scaling and root planing, and closer monitoring going forward. The earlier I catch it, the simpler — and more reversible — treatment tends to be, which is part of why I check your gums at every visit.
Questions About This?
I'm always happy to talk through your specific situation in more detail — call the office or book a visit anytime.