Gum disease is the leading reason adults lose natural teeth, yet much of it is preventable with the right care. At the office of Draper Dental, we focus on identifying periodontal problems early and offering tailored treatments that preserve oral health and function. This page explains what to watch for, how gum disease progresses, and the modern treatment options available to protect your smile.
Periodontal disease begins when bacterial plaque and hardened deposits (tartar) accumulate along the gumline. The immune response to that bacterial buildup produces inflammation, which gradually damages the soft tissues and bone that anchor teeth. Early stages can be subtle — by the time significant symptoms appear, tissue loss may already be underway.
While symptoms can vary from person to person, the underlying process is consistent: bacteria trigger an inflammatory cascade that weakens the attachment between teeth and supporting structures. Left unchecked, this can lead to pocket formation, gum recession, and eventually tooth mobility or loss.
Regular dental evaluations and professional cleanings are essential because periodontal disease can advance without causing obvious pain. Detecting changes in pocket depth, tissue health, or bone support early on makes less invasive care more effective and increases the chances of preserving natural teeth.
Signs that warrant an evaluation include:
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Bleeding during brushing or flossing
Receding gumlines and exposed root surfaces
Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste
Teeth that feel loose or shifting bite relationships
Discharge around the teeth or discomfort when chewing
Healthy gums are foundational to a stable, comfortable bite and to the long-term preservation of teeth. When the attachment between tooth and bone deteriorates, it compromises chewing function and increases the risk of infection and tooth loss. Maintaining periodontal health supports both appearance and everyday oral function.
Recent research also highlights links between periodontal inflammation and broader health concerns. Although causation is complex, studies connect untreated gum disease with systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes management challenges, and respiratory problems. Managing periodontal inflammation is a worthwhile part of overall health maintenance.
The practice emphasizes prevention and early intervention. By combining patient education, home care coaching, and evidence-based treatments, our approach is designed to minimize tissue damage and reduce the need for more invasive procedures later on.
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible phase of gum disease. When plaque remains at or below the gumline, the gums become irritated and inflamed. Commonly, gingivitis causes redness, bleeding with routine oral hygiene, and mild tenderness — signals that prompt attention can stop the process before deeper tissues are involved.
The good news about gingivitis is that it rarely causes permanent damage when addressed promptly. A focused program of professional cleanings, improvement in daily brushing and flossing techniques, and targeted oral hygiene aids usually restores gum health within a few weeks.
Follow-up care and a consistent maintenance schedule are critical to prevent recurrence. For many patients, ongoing periodontal maintenance visits combined with effective daily care keep gingivitis from progressing to destructive disease.
Periodontitis describes a stage where inflammation has begun to destroy the connective tissues and bone that support teeth. As pockets deepen and bone resorbs, teeth may loosen, shift, or cause persistent discomfort. At this point, preserving the natural tooth requires targeted treatment to halt the destructive process and promote healing.
Treatment for periodontitis focuses on removing the bacterial cause of inflammation and encouraging tissue recovery where possible. Depending on the severity, this may include deep cleaning below the gumline, localized antimicrobial therapy, and, when indicated, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depths or regenerate lost tissues.
Individualized care plans are guided by clinical findings, radiographic evaluation, and a patient’s overall health. Addressing contributing factors — such as smoking, systemic conditions, or medication effects — is also an important part of achieving long-term stability.
Modern periodontal therapy emphasizes the least invasive effective approach. When disease is mild to moderate, non-surgical care is often the starting point: thorough scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar beneath the gums, combined with improved daily home care and, when appropriate, localized antimicrobials to reduce bacterial levels.
Scaling and root planing smooth the root surfaces and remove irritants that perpetuate inflammation. For many patients, this intervention — paired with a robust maintenance schedule — stabilizes the condition and prevents further tissue loss. Care plans are closely monitored so next steps can be taken quickly if healing is incomplete.
When deeper pockets or structural damage make non-surgical treatment insufficient, surgical options are considered to restore a healthy environment. Surgery can improve access for cleaning, reshape tissues to reduce pocket depths, and include regenerative techniques to rebuild lost bone and soft tissue where appropriate.
Non-surgical therapy is the first line of defense when periodontal disease is caught early to moderate stages. These approaches aim to eliminate bacterial deposits below the gumline and allow inflamed tissues to recover without incisions. In many cases, improved home care, professional deep cleanings, and adjunctive antimicrobial measures restore health.
Adjunctive treatments may include local delivery antimicrobials placed in pockets or short courses of systemic medication when clinically indicated. The focus remains on achieving periodontal stability with minimal intervention whenever possible.
When these measures result in reduced pocket depths and healthier tissue, ongoing maintenance visits become the core strategy for preventing recurrence and protecting tooth support.
Surgical periodontal therapy becomes necessary when pockets are too deep for non-surgical cleaning or when bone and soft tissue defects require repair. Common goals of surgery include thorough removal of bacterial deposits, reduction of pocket depth, and restoration of a form that patients can keep clean at home.
Procedures may involve flap surgery for direct access and debridement, recontouring of bone to eliminate defects, and regenerative techniques such as bone or tissue grafting to rebuild lost support. In selected cases, minimally invasive laser-assisted procedures are used to complement traditional surgical methods.
The objectives of surgical care are straightforward: remove disease-causing deposits, preserve or restore supporting structures when possible, and create a healthier anatomy that facilitates long-term maintenance.
For more information about periodontal care and how we protect long-term oral health, contact Draper Dental. Our team is happy to explain your options and help you schedule an evaluation to determine the best path forward for maintaining healthy gums and a stable, comfortable smile.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of Draper Dental, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and supporting structures around the teeth that begins when bacterial plaque and hardened tartar build up along the gumline. The body’s immune response to that bacterial buildup produces inflammation that, over time, can damage the soft tissue and bone that hold teeth in place. Early stages may be subtle, which is why routine dental evaluations are important for catching changes before they progress.
As pockets form and inflammation persists, the attachment between tooth and bone weakens and tissue loss can occur. Detecting increased pocket depths, gum recession, or bone loss early allows clinicians to recommend less invasive, more effective treatments. Timely intervention improves the chance of preserving natural teeth and restoring healthy tissues.
Be alert for red, swollen, or tender gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing, as these are common early warnings of periodontal problems. Other signs include persistent bad breath, an unpleasant taste, receding gumlines with exposed root surfaces, and increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold. Teeth that feel loose or a change in how your teeth fit together when you bite are more advanced indicators that warrant prompt attention.
Some patients experience discharge around the teeth or discomfort when chewing, which can signal active infection. Because periodontal disease can advance without pain, any unusual or persistent changes in your gum health should trigger an evaluation. Regular periodontal screening helps detect subtle changes that might otherwise be missed.
Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by gum inflammation without irreversible attachment loss. It typically presents as redness and bleeding with routine oral hygiene, and when treated with professional cleaning and improved home care it usually resolves within weeks. Addressing gingivitis promptly prevents progression to more destructive disease.
Periodontitis occurs when inflammation has begun to destroy the connective tissues and bone that support teeth, leading to pocket formation, gum recession, and potential tooth mobility. Treatment for periodontitis focuses on halting tissue destruction and promoting healing through deep cleaning, antimicrobial therapy, and, when necessary, surgical intervention. Long-term stability requires ongoing periodontal maintenance and risk factor management.
Conservative, non-surgical therapy is often the first line of treatment for mild to moderate periodontal disease and centers on removing bacterial deposits beneath the gumline. Scaling and root planing smooth root surfaces and eliminate tartar and plaque that sustain inflammation, while adjunctive localized antimicrobials can help reduce bacterial levels in pockets. These measures are combined with instruction on improved daily brushing and interdental cleaning to support healing.
Many patients achieve meaningful improvement with this approach and enter a personalized maintenance program to prevent recurrence. Clinicians monitor pocket depths and tissue response to determine whether further intervention is needed. When non-surgical therapy stabilizes the condition, regular maintenance visits become the cornerstone of long-term preservation.
Surgical periodontal therapy is considered when deep pockets, persistent infection, or anatomical defects prevent effective cleaning and healing through non-surgical means. Common surgical goals include improving access to remove deposits, reducing pocket depths, and restoring a form that can be maintained with home care. Procedures may range from flap surgery for direct debridement to recontouring bone or performing regenerative grafts to rebuild lost support.
Minimally invasive techniques and adjunctive technologies, including selected laser-assisted procedures, may be used in appropriate cases to reduce tissue trauma and enhance outcomes. Surgical plans are individualized based on clinical findings, radiographic assessment, and the patient’s overall health. The objective is to remove disease-causing deposits, preserve or restore supporting structures when possible, and create a healthier anatomy that facilitates long-term maintenance.
Research shows associations between periodontal inflammation and several systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, complications with diabetes control, and respiratory issues. While the relationships are complex and not strictly causal in every case, chronic oral inflammation can influence systemic inflammatory burden and impact overall health. Managing periodontal disease is therefore an important component of comprehensive health care.
Addressing gum inflammation through professional treatment and effective home care can reduce local infection and may contribute to better systemic outcomes for some patients. Dental clinicians work with medical providers when necessary to coordinate care for patients with chronic conditions. Early detection and consistent management of periodontal disease support both oral and general health.
Several factors raise the risk of periodontal disease, including tobacco use, poorly controlled diabetes, certain medications that affect saliva or tissue response, and genetic predisposition. Poor oral hygiene and irregular professional care also contribute by allowing plaque and tartar to accumulate unchecked. Age, stress, and hormonal changes can further influence susceptibility to gum disease.
Reducing modifiable risks such as quitting smoking, improving blood glucose control, and maintaining consistent home care and dental visits helps lower the chance of progression. Clinicians evaluate each patient’s risk profile and tailor prevention and treatment strategies to address contributing factors. Ongoing monitoring and education are critical for long-term success.
A periodontal evaluation typically includes a full medical and dental history, measurement of pocket depths around each tooth, assessment of gum tissue condition, and radiographic imaging to evaluate bone support. The clinician will document areas of bleeding, recession, and mobility to determine the disease stage and severity. This information is used to create an individualized treatment plan that aligns with clinical findings and the patient’s health goals.
The treatment plan may begin with conservative therapy such as deep cleanings and home care coaching, with clear follow-up to assess healing. If non-surgical measures are insufficient, the plan will outline surgical options or adjunctive therapies and describe the expected sequence of care. Regular reassessment and maintenance scheduling are built into the plan to protect long-term outcomes.
Effective home care is essential to support professional periodontal treatment and maintain healthy tissues over time. Daily routines should include thorough brushing with an appropriate technique, cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental brushes, and using any adjunctive products recommended by your clinician. Consistency in these habits reduces plaque accumulation and helps prevent reinfection of treated areas.
Patients may receive tailored advice on tools and techniques based on pocket anatomy and manual dexterity, and clinicians often recommend more frequent professional maintenance for those with a history of disease. Lifestyle measures such as smoking cessation and good nutrition also play an important role in healing and long-term stability. Clear communication with your dental team ensures your home care plan supports clinical goals.
Draper Dental emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and individualized maintenance plans to preserve periodontal health and protect natural teeth. After initial therapy, patients are scheduled for regular periodontal maintenance visits that include professional cleaning below the gumline, monitoring of pocket depths, and ongoing assessment of tissue response. These visits are tailored to each patient’s risk level and clinical needs to reduce the chance of recurrence.
The practice combines patient education, evidence-based clinical care, and coordination with medical providers when necessary to manage contributing health factors. Prompt attention to changes in gum health and adherence to a personalized maintenance schedule are key elements of long-term success. Open communication with the dental team ensures timely adjustments to care as conditions evolve.
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