Bleeding or puffy gums are often the first sign of gum disease, and it can progress quietly. Our Los Angeles team, including RDH-licensed hygienists, helps you catch it early and keep it under control.
UNDERSTANDING GUM DISEASE
Gum disease starts when plaque builds up along the gumline and irritates the tissue. In this early stage, called gingivitis, gums may look red or swollen and bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and consistent home care.
If it isn't addressed, inflammation can spread below the gumline and begin to break down the bone and tissue that support your teeth. This more advanced stage, periodontitis, isn't reversible, but it can usually be managed with treatment and regular follow-up care.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment depends on the stage of gum disease and how deep the gum pockets are. Your dentist and hygienist will recommend a plan based on your exam and X-rays.
For gingivitis, a thorough cleaning removes plaque and hardened tartar at and just below the gumline. Paired with good home care, this often lets inflamed gums heal.
A deep cleaning for periodontitis. Tartar and bacteria are removed from pockets below the gumline, and root surfaces are smoothed so gums can heal more snugly against the teeth.
After active treatment, cleanings are usually scheduled more often than standard visits, commonly every three to four months, to help keep the condition from progressing.
A few weeks after a deep cleaning, pocket depths are measured again to see how your gums have responded and whether any areas need more attention.
Your hygienist will show you brushing and flossing techniques, plus tools like interdental brushes, suited to the areas where plaque tends to collect.
If deep pockets remain after non-surgical care, your dentist will discuss the next steps with you, which may include seeing a periodontist for further treatment.
BEYOND YOUR MOUTH
Researchers have found associations between gum disease and several health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. These connections are still being studied, and an association doesn't mean one condition causes the other. Even so, ongoing gum inflammation is worth taking seriously.
If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medications that affect your gums, let us know. Your dentist can factor that into your care and, when appropriate, suggest sharing findings with your physician.
OUR PERIODONTAL CARE
Our RDH-licensed hygienists play a central role in gum care, working alongside your dentist from your first measurements to your long-term maintenance visits.
Your hygienist gently measures the space between gums and teeth and records the results, so changes can be tracked from visit to visit.
Digital X-rays help show bone levels around your teeth, giving your dentist a clearer picture of how far gum disease has progressed.
Close-up images from an intraoral camera let you see tartar buildup or inflamed areas for yourself, so your treatment plan makes sense.
Gum disease is managed over time. We'll recommend a maintenance schedule and can coordinate cleanings with your other dental or orthodontic visits.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Common questions about bleeding gums, deep cleanings, and keeping periodontal disease under control.
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the most common early signs. Redness, swelling, tenderness, and persistent bad breath can also point to gum disease. Because it often doesn't hurt in the early stages, regular exams are the most reliable way to catch it.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage, can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and good daily care. Periodontitis can't be fully reversed because bone and tissue have been lost, but treatment can help control it and slow further damage.
The area is numbed with local anesthesia, so most patients feel little discomfort during treatment. Your gums and teeth may feel tender or sensitive for a few days afterward. Nitrous oxide is available if you feel anxious.
A regular cleaning helps keep healthy gums healthy. Periodontal maintenance is for patients who have been treated for periodontitis, and it includes cleaning below the gumline and checking pocket depths at closer intervals, often every three to four months.
Many PPO dental plans include some coverage for scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance, though benefits vary. Our team can verify your benefits and file claims for you. If you don't have insurance, ask about our in-house membership plan.
Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, clean between your teeth daily, and keep up with your maintenance visits. If you smoke, quitting can make a meaningful difference for your gums. Your hygienist can recommend tools that suit your mouth.
It can. Moving teeth while gums are actively inflamed may not be advisable, so gum health is usually addressed before and during orthodontic care. Because general dentistry and orthodontics are coordinated in our Los Angeles office, your gums can be monitored throughout treatment.
Request a gum health evaluation at our Los Angeles office. Our dentists and hygienists will measure your gums, explain what we find, and recommend the next step.