What Gum Disease Is
Gum disease ranges from gingivitis, an early and reversible inflammation of the gum tissue, to periodontitis, a more advanced infection that involves the bone supporting the teeth. Gingivitis is the body's response to bacteria accumulating at the gumline. Left unaddressed, it can progress.
Periodontitis is not reversible in the same way gingivitis is, but it is manageable. The goal of treatment is to stop the progression, reduce the bacterial load, and maintain the bone and tissue that remain. Many patients live with well-controlled periodontal disease for decades.
Because gum disease is frequently painless in its early and moderate stages, many people do not know they have it. Regular exams and cleanings are how it gets caught before it advances.
Scaling and Root Planing
The primary treatment for periodontal disease is a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing. It removes buildup from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so gum tissue can reattach. This is not the same as a regular cleaning — it is a therapeutic procedure and may be done in sections over multiple appointments.
Local anesthetic is used to keep the procedure comfortable. The number of appointments and which areas are treated depend on the extent and severity of the disease. After treatment, the gum tissue is typically re-evaluated to confirm it has responded appropriately.
Periodontal Maintenance
After periodontal treatment, most patients move to a more frequent cleaning schedule, typically every three to four months, to maintain gum health. Lori Long and Byanka Esqueda, our hygienists, track your periodontal health over time.
Maintenance appointments are not the same as a standard cleaning. They include monitoring of pocket depths, assessment of gum attachment, and targeted cleaning in areas that are prone to reinfection. The consistency of that monitoring is what keeps periodontal disease stable.
The Systemic Connection
Research has consistently linked periodontal disease to systemic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The relationship is bidirectional: gum disease can make certain systemic conditions harder to manage, and systemic conditions can affect how the gums respond to treatment.
Dr. Mark Musso is a member of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH), which focuses on the relationship between oral health and whole-body health. Gum health is one part of that picture.