What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums and, in more advanced cases, the bone supporting your teeth. It begins when plaque builds up along the gumline and triggers inflammation.
It's very common. Nearly half of adults age 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Your gums may become red, swollen, and bleed when you brush or floss, but there's no loss of supporting bone. Gingivitis is generally reversible with appropriate treatment and good oral hygiene.
Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease. Inflammation and bacterial buildup extend below the gumline and damage the tissues and bone supporting your teeth.
Although the damage isn't always reversible, periodontal treatment can help control the disease and prevent further progression.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Common signs of gum disease include bleeding when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or changes in your bite.
One of the challenges with gum disease is that it often develops without pain. Many patients don't realize they have it until it's identified during a dental examination.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease begins when bacterial plaque accumulates around the teeth and gumline. If plaque isn't removed regularly, it can harden into calculus, also called tartar, which cannot be removed with normal brushing and flossing.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing gum disease, including smoking, diabetes, certain medications, genetics, and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Stress may also contribute to periodontal health problems.
Why do bleeding gums matter?
Healthy gums generally shouldn't bleed during normal brushing or flossing. Bleeding can be a sign of inflammation or gum disease, although other factors may also contribute.
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Research has also identified associations between periodontal disease and certain systemic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
These associations don't necessarily mean gum disease directly causes those conditions, but they highlight the importance of maintaining healthy gums.
How do you check for gum disease?
We gently measure the space between your gums and teeth using a small periodontal probe. These spaces are called periodontal pockets.
Healthy pocket depths are often between one and three millimeters. Measurements of four millimeters or more may indicate inflammation or periodontal concerns, depending on other findings.
We also check for bleeding, gum recession, and other signs of inflammation. Dental X-rays help us evaluate the bone supporting your teeth.
These findings allow us to determine the type of dental cleaning or periodontal treatment that's appropriate for you.
What is a regular dental cleaning or prophylaxis?
A regular dental cleaning, also called prophylaxis, is a preventive treatment typically recommended for patients without active periodontal disease.
During the appointment, we remove plaque and tartar, primarily from the areas around and above the gumline, and polish your teeth.
For many patients, routine cleanings are recommended every six months, although the appropriate frequency depends on individual oral health needs.
What is a dental debridement?
A debridement is a preliminary cleaning performed when there's so much plaque and tartar buildup that we cannot adequately examine your teeth and gums.
We remove the heavy deposits first so we can complete a more accurate periodontal evaluation and determine what additional treatment may be needed.
Think of it as clearing the way for a thorough examination and an appropriate treatment plan.
What is a gingivitis cleaning?
A gingivitis cleaning is intended for patients with generalized moderate to severe gum inflammation but without the bone loss associated with periodontitis.
This treatment may require more extensive cleaning than a routine prophylaxis because the gums are inflamed and may bleed easily.
In dental insurance terminology, this procedure is commonly identified by code D4346, which refers to scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation.
The goal is to reduce inflammation and help the gums return to a healthier condition so the patient can resume appropriate preventive maintenance.
What is a deep dental cleaning?
A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a nonsurgical periodontal treatment used to manage periodontitis.
During this procedure, we clean below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial deposits from the root surfaces. This helps reduce inflammation and allows the gum tissues to heal more effectively.
We typically use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Depending on how much treatment is needed, the procedure may be completed in two visits, treating one side of the mouth at a time.
How are the four types of dental cleanings different?
The easiest way to understand the differences is to think about the condition of your gums.
A regular cleaning is preventive care for patients with generally healthy gums. A gingivitis cleaning addresses generalized gum inflammation without periodontal bone loss. A debridement removes heavy buildup that prevents a complete examination. A deep cleaning treats periodontal disease affecting the tissues below the gumline.
The type of cleaning we recommend depends on your oral health findings, not simply how long it's been since your last appointment.
Why can't you just get a regular dental cleaning?
A regular dental cleaning is designed primarily for preventive maintenance. If you have active periodontal disease, bacteria and tartar may be accumulating deep below the gumline.
In that situation, a routine cleaning may not adequately address the infection and inflammation affecting the supporting tissues.
We recommend the appropriate periodontal treatment to help control the disease, protect your teeth, and reduce the risk of further bone loss.
Does a deep dental cleaning hurt?
We typically use local anesthesia during scaling and root planing so you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. You may feel some pressure or movement, but the treated area should be numb.
Afterward, your gums may feel tender or sensitive for a few days. Most patients can return to their normal activities the same day, although recovery varies.
What happens after a deep dental cleaning?
After scaling and root planing, we'll evaluate how your gums respond to treatment and determine what ongoing care is necessary.
Periodontitis is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Patients with a history of periodontal disease often need periodontal maintenance rather than routine preventive cleanings.
Maintenance appointments are commonly scheduled every three to four months, depending on the severity of the disease and your individual risk factors.
These visits help us monitor your gum health, remove bacterial deposits, and reduce the risk of further periodontal damage.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis can generally be reversed with professional cleaning and consistent home care because the supporting bone hasn't been damaged.
Periodontitis is different. Once significant supporting bone and tissue have been lost, the damage doesn't typically reverse on its own.
However, periodontal treatment can help control inflammation and slow or stop disease progression. In certain cases, regenerative procedures may also help restore some lost supporting tissues.
That's why identifying and treating gum disease early is so important.
How can you prevent gum disease at home?
Start by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or an appropriate interdental cleaning device.
A water flosser may also be helpful as part of your oral hygiene routine. Avoid smoking, manage medical conditions such as diabetes, and keep up with your recommended dental visits.
If your gums bleed regularly, don't ignore it. Bleeding can be an early warning sign that your gums need attention.
If you’re searching for quality dental care, we’re here to help. Call (305) 780-6089 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is committed to keeping your smile healthy.