Gum Disease Treatment

Catch It Early, Treat It Well

• Do your gums bleed when you brush them? 
• Do you have bad breath that never seems to go away, no matter how much you brush your teeth? 
• Are your gums puffy, red, or feeling sensitive?

You might have gum disease. Don’t panic—it’s incredibly common, and with early detection and proper treatment, you can stop it before it leads to you or your family losing your teeth. Early detection is key to avoiding this though, so if you suspect you might have gum disease, don’t wait for it to get worse.

Simply come in for a checkup. We will take a gentle but thorough look at exactly what’s going on and then give you a clear plan for moving forward. Dr. Williams and our team provide professional gum disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment so you can enjoy healthy, happy gums.

What Is Gum Disease

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is inflammation and infection of your gums. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States and it can be contagious. It doesn’t hurt until it progresses to the advanced stages.

Symptoms To Look Out For

• Gums changing color, especially if they start to go red or purplish
• Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth
• Soreness or sensitivity in your gums
• Persistent bad breath (aka halitosis)
• Persistent bad taste in your mouth
• Pain when you chew
• Gums pulling away from your teeth (aka gum recession)
• Loose teeth
• Shifting teeth or a change in how your teeth fit together

The Four Stages Of Gum Disease

How We Treat Gum Disease

• Diagnosis: Dr. Williams will look for a buildup of plaque on your teeth, ask about your symptoms, take digital X-rays, and measure the pockets of your gums to see if there has been any bone loss
• Dental cleaning: If you have the early signs of gum disease, we can treat it with a regular cleaning.
• Deep cleaning, including Scaling & Root Planing: If you have mild to moderate gum disease, we can do a gentle but thorough deep cleaning, making sure to clean below your gum line and in the hard-to-reach pockets.
• Pocket reduction surgery: If you have advanced gum disease, we can help tighten up your gums after the deep cleaning and close the pockets to stop bacteria from forming inside them again.
• Soft tissue laser treatment: A non-surgical, less invasive treatment using a handheld laser to reduce pockets and help recontour your gums.
• Bone grafting: If you have advanced gum disease, you will have experienced significant bone loss. With bone grafting, we can rebuild the bone you’ve lost and strengthen the foundation that holds your teeth in place to stop tooth loss.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR): In advanced cases where you’ve lost significant amounts of gum tissue, we can use gum grafts to restore your gum tissue and rebuild the support system for your teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent gum disease?

• Brush your teeth twice to three times every day
• Floss carefully between your teeth every day
• Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash
• Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
• Visit us for regular dental cleanings and exams

What is the quickest way to get rid of gum disease?

• Professional deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
• Antibiotics, to fight the bacteria
• Gum surgery

Stop Gum Disease Early & Save Your Smile

Don’t leave gum disease untreated. The earlier we catch it, the higher our chances of being able to stop it before it permanently damages your smile. All you have to do to get started is to come in for a checkup, we’ll take care of the rest and walk you through the entire process.

Are you ready to get started?