Gum disease starts quietly. Bleeding when you brush, gums that look red or puffy, bad breath that doesn’t go away. Left alone, it moves from your gums into the bone that holds your teeth, and that damage doesn’t reverse.
At Irving Park Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, our dentists Dr. Charles Langdon, Dr. Ellen Zamora, and Dr. Justin Jennings treat gum disease in Greensboro, NC. Treating gum infections with deep cleanings, laser dentistry, and routine care is a part of general dentistry treatment to maintain a healthy smile.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Poor brushing and flossing habits typically cause plaque to build up on the teeth and harden. If you don’t treat it promptly, gum disease can cause sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing, and even tooth loss.
Gingivitis: The Early Stage
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Signs of early stages of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath that won’t go away
The good news? Gingivitis is completely reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. Regular checkups at Irving Park Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can catch gingivitis before it progresses to more serious stages.
Periodontitis: Advanced Gum Disease
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In this stage:
- Gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected
- The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as plaque spreads below the gum line
- Bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place start to break down
- Teeth may become loose and eventually need to be removed
Unlike gingivitis, the damage from periodontitis is not reversible, but we can help stop its progression and prevent further damage.
Our Periodontal Treatment Options
Dr. Langdon and Dr. Zamora handle most gum disease treatment in our office, and they refer surgical cases to a periodontist when surgery is the right call.
Professional Cleanings
For gingivitis, a standard cleaning removes the plaque and tartar above and just below the gum line. Most patients see bleeding stop within a week or two once the irritant is gone, as long as they keep up with home care.
Scaling and Root Planing
For early and moderate periodontitis, our hygienists clean beneath the gum tissue where a routine cleaning can’t reach. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the pockets around your teeth, and root planing smooths the tooth roots so gum tissue can reattach. This usually takes two visits with numbing, and most patients describe it as more tedious than painful.
Laser Therapy
We use laser therapy to target and remove infected gum tissue with less discomfort and faster healing than traditional surgery. Lasers are precise, which means we treat the infected tissue and leave the healthy tissue alone. Most patients need less numbing and recover faster than they would with a scalpel.
Periodontal Maintenance
After scaling and root planing, you come in more often than twice a year so we can keep pockets from deepening again. Most patients move to a three to four month schedule, and we set your interval based on how your pockets respond.
Referral to a Periodontist
For advanced disease, gum grafting, or cases that need surgery, we refer you to a periodontist we trust. We coordinate the referral and manage your care afterward, so you’re not left figuring out the next step alone.
How Can Gum Disease Treatment Benefit Me?
Gum disease doesn’t reverse on its own once it reaches the bone. Treatment stops it from progressing. Here’s what that means for you.
Stops Bone Loss
Periodontitis destroys the bone that anchors your teeth, and that bone doesn’t grow back. Scaling and root planing removes the bacteria causing the destruction, which gives your gums a chance to reattach and slows the bone loss. Teeth that would have loosened in a few years stay stable.
Your gums stop hiding bacteria
Healthy gums fit snugly with pockets of 1 to 3 millimeters. Gum disease deepens those pockets, which creates space where bacteria sit beyond the reach of your toothbrush. Treatment reduces pocket depth so home care works again.
Your gums go back to firm and pink
Red, puffy, bleeding gums are inflamed gums. Once we remove the irritant, the inflammation resolves and your gum tissue returns to a healthy color and texture. Recession doesn’t grow back, but treatment stops it from getting worse.
Your breath improves at the source
Bad breath that survives brushing usually comes from bacteria in deep pockets. Treating the infection removes the cause instead of masking the smell.
Your whole body benefits
Gum disease keeps your immune system in a constant state of low-grade inflammation, and research links that inflammation to heart disease, diabetes complications, and respiratory conditions. Treating your gums reduces that load, which is one reason your physician may ask about your dental care.
Gum Disease FAQs
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Bleeding when you brush or floss is the most reliable sign, along with red or puffy gums, gum tissue pulling away from your teeth, bad breath that won’t go away, and teeth that feel loose. Gum disease can progress without pain, which is why we measure pocket depth at every checkup instead of waiting for symptoms.
Is gum disease contagious?
The bacteria can pass between people through saliva, but the bacteria alone don’t cause the disease. Plaque buildup, poor home care, smoking, and conditions like diabetes are what let those bacteria thrive. You can carry them and never develop gum disease if you keep your gums clean.
Can gum disease affect my overall health?
Yes, and it runs both ways. Bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream and contribute to inflammation linked to heart disease and stroke. Diabetes makes gum disease worse, and gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control.
How often should I get my gums checked?
Every six months for most patients. If you’ve had scaling and root planing, we usually move you to a three to four month maintenance schedule so pockets don’t deepen again. Dr. Langdon or Dr. Zamora sets your interval based on how your gums respond.
Can gum disease come back after treatment?
Yes. Gum disease is manageable but not curable once it reaches the periodontitis stage. Keeping your maintenance visits and home care routine is what keeps it from returning.
Will my insurance cover periodontal treatment?
Many plans cover treatment when it’s medically necessary, and scaling and root planing is often covered at a higher percentage than routine cleanings. Coverage depends on your annual maximum, waiting periods, and whether your insurer requires pre-authorization. Our team reviews your benefits before treatment starts and tells you what you’ll owe.
Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation Today
Don’t wait until gum disease progresses and threatens your smile. At Irving Park Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Greensboro, NC, we’re committed to helping you maintain healthy gums for life.
Call us today at (336) 502-0142 or request an appointment online. Our friendly team is ready to answer your questions and provide the gentle, effective care you deserve.