Gum Disease Treatment

The two stages, and the line between them

Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage: inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. A thorough cleaning and better home care typically clear it up completely. Left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, where the infection moves below the gumline and starts breaking down the bone and connective tissue that anchor your teeth in place. That damage doesn't reverse the way gingivitis does, and treatment at that stage manages the infection instead of undoing what has already happened. That difference is the entire reason routine exams check gum health every visit, not just teeth.

Signs to mention at your next visit

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss, a common early sign and one people often dismiss as normal
• Gums that look red, puffy, or tender instead of firm and pale pink
• Persistent bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing
• Gums that appear to be pulling back from the teeth, making teeth look longer
• Any looseness in a tooth that wasn't there before

Factors that raise your risk

Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for gum disease and also makes it harder to treat, since it restricts blood flow to the gums. Diabetes, certain medications that reduce saliva flow, hormonal changes, and genetics all play a role too. Two people with similar brushing habits can end up with very different gum health.

How treatment differs by stage

Gingivitis is usually addressed with a professional cleaning and a closer look at home care. More advanced periodontitis often calls for scaling and root planing, a deeper cleaning below the gumline that smooths the tooth root to help gum tissue reattach. In more involved cases, Dr. Ali refers patients to a periodontist for surgical treatment. Gum health is checked as a standard part of every routine exam, which is usually how this gets caught before a patient would notice anything themselves.