Periodontics

Healthy gums provide the foundation that supports your teeth. Periodontic care focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions affecting the gums and other structures that support your teeth, including gingivitis and periodontal disease.

What Is Periodontics?

Periodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with the gums, bone, and other tissues that surround and support your teeth.

One of its primary focuses is periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease. It develops when bacteria and inflammation begin affecting the tissues around the teeth.

In its earlier stage, known as gingivitis, the gums may become red, swollen, or prone to bleeding. Gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional care.

If inflammation progresses deeper below the gumline, it can develop into periodontitis. At this stage, the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth can become damaged. Periodontitis requires ongoing management and, without treatment, can eventually contribute to loose teeth and tooth loss.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

Gum disease can develop gradually and may not cause significant discomfort in its early stages. Regular dental examinations are important because changes can sometimes be identified before you notice them yourself.

Possible signs include:

Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Persistent bad breath
Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth
Teeth that look longer because of gum recession
Changes in the spaces between teeth
Loose or shifting teeth
Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Bleeding gums should not simply be considered normal. If you regularly notice bleeding, swelling, or other changes in your gums, a dental assessment can help determine the cause.

How Is Periodontal Disease Diagnosed?

A periodontal assessment looks at more than the visible appearance of your gums.

Your dental provider may measure the spaces between your teeth and gums, known as periodontal pockets, and check for bleeding, inflammation, gum recession, and tooth mobility. Dental X-rays may also be used to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth.

These findings help determine whether gum disease is present and how advanced it may be. They also help guide the type of treatment and ongoing maintenance you may need.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Periodontal treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the condition of the tissues supporting your teeth.

Professional Dental Cleaning

When inflammation is limited to the gums, professional cleaning combined with improved brushing and flossing may be enough to restore gum health.

Removing plaque and tartar is important because tartar cannot be removed with normal brushing at home.

Scaling and Root Planing

When periodontal disease extends below the gumline, a deeper cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing may be recommended.

Scaling removes plaque and tartar from around and below the gumline. Root planing smooths and cleans the root surfaces, helping create an environment where the gums can heal more effectively.

Treatment may be completed over more than one appointment depending on the extent of the disease.

Additional Periodontal Treatment

More advanced periodontal disease may require additional treatment. Depending on your condition, this can include procedures designed to access deeper areas around the teeth, address damaged gum or bone tissue, or treat significant gum recession.

The treatment recommended depends on the type and extent of the problem. Some patients may also be referred to a periodontist for specialized care.

What Is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal disease requires ongoing attention even after active treatment has been completed.

Periodontal maintenance appointments focus on controlling the bacteria and buildup associated with gum disease and monitoring the health of the tissues supporting your teeth. These visits may include cleaning above and below the gumline, periodontal measurements, and evaluation of areas that have previously shown disease.

The recommended interval between visits depends on your periodontal health and risk factors. Some patients need maintenance more frequently than a standard routine cleaning schedule.

Can Gum Disease Come Back After Treatment?

Periodontal treatment can control the disease, but it does not make you permanently immune to it.

Plaque and tartar can accumulate again, and inflammation may return if periodontal health is not maintained. Consistent home care and regular periodontal maintenance are therefore an important part of long-term treatment.

Smoking, certain health conditions, genetics, oral hygiene, and the severity of previous periodontal disease can also influence your risk.

Why Healthy Gums Matter

Your gums and supporting bone help keep your teeth stable. As periodontal disease progresses, damage to these structures can make teeth increasingly difficult to maintain.

Treating gum disease early generally gives your dental team more opportunity to control inflammation and protect the supporting tissues around your teeth.

Regular examinations also allow your periodontal health to be monitored over time rather than waiting until symptoms become difficult to ignore.

Protect the Foundation of Your Smile

Gum disease can progress without causing significant pain, which makes early detection and ongoing care particularly important.

If you have bleeding gums, gum recession, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, or concerns about your gum health, contact our dental team for an assessment. Identifying periodontal problems early can help protect the tissues that support your teeth.

FAQs About Periodontics

Can gum disease be reversed?

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can often be reversed when plaque and tartar are controlled and good oral hygiene is maintained. Periodontitis causes damage to the supporting structures around the teeth that cannot simply be reversed, but treatment can help control the disease and reduce further progression.

Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss?

Bleeding can be a sign of gum inflammation, particularly when it happens regularly. It may be associated with plaque buildup, gingivitis, periodontal disease, or other factors. A dental examination can help determine why your gums are bleeding.

Is periodontal treatment painful?

Your comfort is considered when periodontal treatment is planned, and local anesthetic may be used for procedures that involve cleaning or treating deeper areas below the gumline. Some tenderness or sensitivity can occur afterward depending on the treatment performed.

How often do I need periodontal maintenance?

There is no single schedule for everyone. The recommended interval depends on the severity of your previous gum disease, how well the condition is controlled, your oral hygiene, and other risk factors. Your dental provider will recommend a maintenance schedule based on your periodontal health.

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