Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, yet it is often preventable and treatable when caught early. Because gum disease can progress with little to no discomfort, many patients don’t even realize they have it.
Signs of Gum Disease
Some common warning signs include:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste
- Receding gums that make teeth appear longer
- Sensitivity along the gumline
- Loose teeth or changes in the way your teeth fit together
Bleeding gums are one of the most commonly overlooked signs of gum disease. While occasional bleeding can occur for different reasons, persistent bleeding is often a sign of inflammation and should not be ignored.
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease generally progresses through two stages:
Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease, when plaque and bacteria cause inflammation of the gums. You may notice redness, swelling, or bleeding, but the bone supporting your teeth has not yet been affected. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible with professional cleanings and improved home care.
Periodontitis: When gum disease progresses, inflammation and bacteria begin to affect the bone and tissues supporting your teeth. Deeper pockets form around the teeth, allowing bacteria and hardened buildup to accumulate below the gumline, where regular brushing and flossing cannot reach. Although lost bone does not typically grow back on its own, treatment can help control the disease and prevent further damage.
Certain factors, including smoking, diabetes, genetics, hormonal changes, and some medications, can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Research has also demonstrated important connections between periodontal health and overall health, particularly diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Scaling and Root Planing: What Is a Deep Cleaning?
When gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis, a routine dental cleaning may no longer be enough. Scaling and root planing, commonly referred to as a “deep cleaning,” is a non-surgical treatment designed to manage periodontitis and help restore healthier gum tissues.
During treatment, your hygienist or dentist carefully cleans below the gumline to remove plaque, hardened calculus (tartar), and bacteria from the teeth and root surfaces. Removing these irritants allows the surrounding gum tissues to heal, helping reduce inflammation, bleeding, and the depth of periodontal pockets.
For your comfort, local anesthetic is typically used, and treatment may be divided into two visits to allow us to thoroughly clean each area.
What Happens After a Deep Cleaning?
Periodontitis is a chronic condition that requires ongoing care. Our goal is not simply to treat the existing inflammation, but to help you maintain healthy, stable gums over time.
Approximately six weeks after scaling and root planing, we typically schedule a follow-up visit to evaluate how your gums have responded to treatment. We’ll reassess your periodontal pockets, check for remaining inflammation, and determine whether additional treatment is necessary.
Once your periodontal health is stable, most patients transition to periodontal maintenance visits, often every three months. These more frequent cleanings allow us to monitor your gum health and remove new buildup before it contributes to further inflammation or bone loss.
If certain areas do not respond as well as expected, we may recommend a consultation with a local periodontist, a specialist in the treatment of gum disease, for additional care.
Keeping Your Gums Healthy
Prevention and consistent home care are essential to maintaining healthy gums. We recommend brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, cleaning between your teeth every day, and maintaining the cleaning schedule recommended for your individual periodontal needs.
At Cedars Family Dental, we believe in taking a conservative, proactive approach to gum health. By identifying inflammation early, providing treatment when needed, and working together on long-term maintenance, we can help you protect the foundation of your smile for years to come.
If your gums bleed, it is worth having them looked at before it becomes something harder to treat.
