Gum disease is a progressive condition and the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the developed world. It can advance without any pain, which is why regular checkups are so important.
See a dentist soon if you notice
- Unexplained bleeding when brushing, flossing or eating. It’s one of the most common signs of infection.
- Pain, redness or swelling of the gums for no clear reason. It’s important to stop an infection before it reaches the bone, or spreads through the bloodstream.
- Longer-looking teeth. Receding gums make teeth look longer and a smile more “toothy.”
- Bad breath. Deep gum pockets hold more debris and bacteria, causing odor.
- Loose teeth or a change in your bite. As bone is lost, teeth can loosen or shift, a sign of rapidly progressing disease.
- Pus between teeth, a clear sign of active infection.
How it’s treated
We first assess your whole mouth to see how far the disease has progressed. Treatment may combine antibiotics with non-surgical care, surgery, or both.
- Moderate gum disease: scaling and root planing to clear the pockets, sometimes followed by antibiotics placed in the pockets.
- Severe gum disease may also need:
- Laser treatment to reduce pocket size
- Tissue and bone grafting to stimulate regrowth
- Pocket elimination (flap) surgery to directly reduce pocket depth