Experience Relief From Periodontal Disease
Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? Do they feel swollen and tender? These could be early signs of gum disease. Fortunately, gum disease is highly treatable when caught early. At Polished Dental Care, Dr. Elizabeth White provides periodontal screenings, scaling and root planing, and periodontal maintenance to keep your gums healthy and happy.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of peiodontal disease, don’t wait. Schedule your checkup today by visiting us online or calling (616) 698-6663 to book your appointment.
Jump to information:
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection caused by plaque that builds up along and under the gumline. Although common, it can lead to more serious problems when left untreated, like gum recession, tooth loss and other health concerns.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The most common cause of gum disease is plaque buildup. This usually happens when patients forget to brush, floss, or fall behind on professional cleanings. However, other habits or factors can raise your risk, too, including:
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Chronic stress
- Certain medical conditions, like diabetes
What Is the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
There are two types of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Understanding the difference is key to determining the best treatment for your oral health.
Gingivitis is early stage periodontal disease. It’s usually mild and reversible with regular cleanings and better at-home care.
Periodontitis develops later, when the infection spreads below the gumline and begins to damage the bone. This stage requires a more advanced treatment, like scaling and root planing, to stop the progression.
Catching periodontial disease early is critical to keep it from advancing–and keep you smiling with confidence.
Signs You May Have Gum Disease
The most common signs of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Swollen, red, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gumline (teeth look “longer”)
- Loose or shifting teeth
If you’ve experienced these symptoms or have concerns about any of these issues, please do not hesitate to give us a call or book an appointment online!
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
Many of us can prevent gum disease with daily brushing and flossing and regular dental cleanings. At Polished Dental Care, we perform periodontal screenings to assess your gum health through periodontal charting, probing and X-rays.
Sometimes, prevention just isn’t enough. When other factors are at play, Dr. White may recommend other periodontal treatment methods such as:
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical, deep cleaning procedure. It removes harmful bacteria and hardened plaque (tartar) from beneath the gumline, where regular brushing and standard cleanings can’t reach.
After scaling, we smooth the root surfaces to help the gums reattach and to reduce the risk of future bacterial buildup. This treatment is often the first step in managing periodontitis and protecting the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is another type of specialized dental cleaning offered at our Grand Rapids dental office to treat periodontal disease. It’s also referred to as periodontal cleaning.
While regular cleanings focus on surface-level plaque removal, periodontal maintenance targets bacteria in “pockets” that form between your teeth and gums. It’s typically recommended every 3-4 months for patients who have had gum disease in the past or have other risk factors.
Protect Your Smile With Expert Periodontal Care
Gum disease is common, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With early detection and the right treatment, you can say goodbye to painful, swollen gums and hello to a confident smile. Dr. Elizabeth White and the team at Polished Dental Care are here to help with expert periodontal cleanings, personalized treatment plans, and compassionate care.
Schedule your appointment at our Grand Rapids dental office today by calling (616) 698-6663 or booking online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are early signs of gum disease?
The first stage of gum disease and periodontal disease is called gingivitis. Knowing what gum disease looks like at this stage can help prevent it from progressing.
Common signs of gingivitis include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Tenderness along the gumline
- Persistent bad breath
If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with Polished Dental Care today so we can work together to protect your smile and your oral health.
What is the difference between gum disease and periodontal disease?
“Gum disease” is a general term used to describe infection of the gums, while “periodontal disease” refers to the more advanced stages of that condition.
Dentists often use a system called staging and grading periodontitis to determine how advanced the condition is and guide the appropriate treatment plan.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Yes, gum disease can sometimes be reversed, especially if we catch it in its earliest stage.
With professional dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene at home, gingivitis can usually be reversed before permanent damage occurs.
However, once gum disease progresses to periodontal disease, the infection begins to affect the bone and tissues that support your teeth. At that point, the condition cannot be fully reversed. It can be successfully managed with professional treatment for periodontal disease and ongoing dental care.
What happens if gum disease is left untreated?
When patients suspect a problem with their gums, many begin searching online for advice about how to cure gum disease without a dentist. While it is great to be informed, professional dental care is essential for removing the bacteria and hardened plaque that cause periodontal disease.
If gum disease and periodontal disease are left untreated, the infection can gradually damage the tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place.
This can lead to more serious problems, like:
- Severe gum recession
- Bone loss around the teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Tooth loss
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes. If left untreated, gum disease and periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.
As the condition progresses, the infection begins to damage the gums and the bone that support your teeth. Over time, this can cause teeth to loosen or shift out of place.
The good news is that early treatment can help prevent tooth loss. Dentists use treatments for gum disease to remove infection and help the gums heal. With proper care and ongoing periodontal maintenance, many patients are able to keep their natural teeth and maintain a healthy smile.
Is gum disease treatment painful?
No, gum disease treatment is generally not painful.
A common treatment for moderate gum disease is a deep cleaning root planing and scaling. During this procedure, your dentist or hygienist carefully removes bacteria and hardened plaque from below the gumline. This process helps the gums heal and reattach to the teeth.
To keep you comfortable, the area is typically numbed with local anesthesia. You may experience mild soreness afterward, but you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. The soreness can be controlled by taking over-the-counter pain relievers and generally resolves within a day or two.
How long does gum disease treatment take?
The length of treatment for periodontal disease depends on how advanced the condition is.
During your consultation, Dr. Liz White will evaluate your gums using a system called staging and grading periodontitis. This helps determine the severity of the infection and the best treatment for your needs. Then, she will explain how a dentist treats gum disease and what you can expect during each step of the process.
For early gum disease, treatment may be as simple as a professional cleaning combined with improved home care to stop the gum disease from progressing.
For more advanced cases, treatment might include a deep cleaning called root planing and scaling. This is typically completed in one or two visits, depending on how much of your mouth is affected.
After treatment, most patients transition into periodontal maintenance, a specialized cleaning schedule designed to keep bacteria under control and support long-term gum health.
How can you prevent gum disease?
The best way to prevent gum disease is by combining good at-home care with regular dental visits.
Daily brushing and flossing help remove plaque before it hardens into tartar, while routine cleanings remove buildup that you can’t reach at home. These visits also give your dentist a chance to catch early signs of gum disease and periodontal disease before they progress.
Healthy habits that support your gums include:
- Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing daily
- Keeping up with regular dental checkups and cleanings
- Avoiding tobacco products
Is gum disease linked to other health conditions?
Yes. Research has shown strong connections between gum disease and overall health.
Because gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection, the inflammation in the gums can affect the rest of the body. Studies have found possible links between periodontal disease and:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Pregnancy complications
This is one of the many reasons why regular dental visits are so important for protecting your oral and overall health.
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