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Gum disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss, and many people don’t realize it can progress quietly for years. Nearly half of adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease, yet with early detection and the right care, its course can often be changed. At the office of Mountainview Dental, we provide focused periodontal services designed to protect the tissues that anchor your teeth and preserve long-term oral health.
Gum disease begins when bacterial plaque collects along the gumline and hardens into tartar. These bacteria irritate the gums and trigger an inflammatory response that, left unchecked, can damage the soft tissue and underlying bone. Because inflammation can be painless at first, many people assume their mouths are healthy until signs become more obvious.
Certain factors make periodontal problems more likely to develop or to worsen: tobacco use, uncontrolled diabetes, a dry mouth, some medications, genetic predisposition, and inconsistent oral hygiene are a few common contributors. Understanding your personal risk factors helps target prevention and treatment more effectively.
Prevention is practical: daily brushing and flossing, routine professional cleanings, and regular periodontal screening help remove the bacterial build-up that sparks disease. When mouth care is consistent, the tissue can remain stable and functional for many years.
Because periodontal disease can advance without pain, it’s important to know which changes warrant professional attention. Early detection gives you the best chance of stopping damage before it becomes permanent. If you notice any unusual changes in your mouth, a prompt dental visit is the best next step.
Pay attention to subtle signals: gums that bleed with brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, or gums that look redder or puffier than usual are all reasons to call your dental team. Many people downplay these symptoms, but they can indicate an active disease process.
Other indicators include receding gums, increased tooth sensitivity where root surfaces are exposed, and shifting or loosening teeth. Not every change is an emergency, but each one deserves a careful evaluation so a tailored plan can be put in place.
Common signs to watch for include:
Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
Swollen, tender, or discolored gum tissue
Gum recession or roots becoming visible
Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli
Chronic bad breath or a persistent metallic taste
Teeth that feel mobile or new gaps appearing
Changes in how dentures or partials fit
Any discharge near the gumline or pain when chewing
Gums are more than a cosmetic frame for teeth — they are living tissue that helps protect your jawbone and supports dental function. When periodontal disease advances, the consequences can include bone loss, tooth migration, and eventual tooth loss. Maintaining gum health helps preserve your ability to chew comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently.
Emerging research also links long-term periodontal inflammation with broader health concerns. Conditions such as diabetes and some cardiovascular issues can be affected by chronic oral inflammation, so managing gum disease is an important part of overall health maintenance.
Our practice emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and ongoing maintenance so you can avoid complex problems down the road. By combining clinical assessments with patient education and supportive cleanings, we strive to keep periodontal disease from becoming a life-changing condition.
Gingivitis is the earliest and most reversible stage of gum disease. It’s marked by inflammation of the gum tissue without permanent destruction of the connective tissues or bone. When recognized and treated promptly, gingivitis typically responds well to improved home care and professional cleanings.
A targeted routine — thorough daily brushing, interdental cleaning, and periodic professional scaling — often resolves gingival inflammation. The goal is to remove plaque and soften any deposits before they harden into stubborn tartar that shelters bacteria below the gumline.
For many patients, reversing gingivitis simply requires a renewed commitment to oral hygiene combined with the clinical support of regular dental visits. Early intervention prevents progression to more destructive stages that require more involved treatment.
Periodontitis is the stage at which the structures that secure teeth — the periodontal ligament and the bone — begin to be damaged. As pockets form between teeth and gums, bacteria thrive in protected spaces and trigger ongoing tissue breakdown. Without treatment, this process can lead to measurable bone loss and compromised tooth stability.
Treatment for periodontitis focuses on arresting the disease and restoring as much healthy support as possible. Depending on the extent of damage, this may include deep cleaning beneath the gumline, adjunctive antimicrobial therapies, or surgical procedures to reshape, repair, or regenerate lost tissue.
Modern periodontal care aims not only to stop disease progression but also to rebuild the environment needed for long-term maintenance. When rebuilding is necessary, techniques such as bone and tissue grafting or guided tissue regeneration can improve function and appearance.
Every treatment plan begins with a thorough periodontal evaluation: probing pocket depths, reviewing radiographs, assessing attachment loss, and considering medical and lifestyle factors. That information guides a customized approach focused on stability, comfort, and predictable outcomes.
Non-surgical therapies are the first line of care for many patients. Scaling and root planing — careful cleaning of root surfaces below the gumline — removes plaque and calculus and helps the tissue heal. In some cases, localized antimicrobial agents or short courses of medication are used to support mechanical therapy.
When deeper pockets or structural damage are present, surgical solutions may be recommended to restore healthy anatomy and make daily cleaning possible. Surgical options include flap procedures to access and clean root surfaces, pocket reduction to minimize deep spaces, and grafting techniques to restore lost bone and soft tissue.
Early-stage disease frequently responds to less invasive approaches. When plaque and tartar are removed from below the gumline and home care is optimized, inflammation often subsides and the tissues stabilize. Regular periodontal maintenance visits are a critical part of keeping the disease under control.
Scaling and root planing is a cornerstone of non-surgical care: by smoothing the root surfaces and eliminating irritants, it promotes reattachment and reduces pocket depth. In carefully selected cases, local antimicrobial agents may be placed to help reduce bacterial loads and support healing.
If conservative measures do not produce the desired result, your clinician will review surgical options that can better address anatomical challenges and persistent pockets.
When periodontitis has advanced, surgery is often necessary to clean infected areas thoroughly, reduce pocket depths, and reconstruct damaged tissues. The primary objective is to eliminate environments where bacteria can persist and to rebuild supporting structures when possible.
Flap surgery allows the clinician to access root surfaces and bone for debridement and reshaping. In many cases, regenerative techniques — such as bone grafts or guided tissue regeneration — are used to encourage the body to rebuild lost tissue and restore support to affected teeth.
Newer technologies, including lasers for specific periodontal procedures, may also be incorporated when appropriate. Regardless of technique, the combined aim is to reduce pocket depth, remove disease-causing deposits, and create an anatomy that patients can clean effectively at home.
When surgery is part of treatment, careful follow-up and a strict maintenance schedule are essential to protect the long-term success of the therapy.
Maintaining periodontal health is a partnership: clinical expertise, effective treatment, and consistent home care work together to preserve your teeth and support tissues. If you have concerns about bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or tooth mobility, contact us to learn more about how periodontal care can protect your smile and overall well-being.
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 Mountainview 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 the supporting structures around teeth that can lead to tissue destruction and tooth loss if left untreated. It typically begins with bacterial plaque accumulation and inflammation, and it can progress quietly for months or years before obvious symptoms appear. Beyond oral health, long-term periodontal inflammation is associated with systemic concerns that make management important for overall well-being.
Early identification and intervention improve the likelihood of preserving natural teeth and maintaining a healthy bite. Routine screening and professional cleanings remove the bacterial buildup that initiates the disease and help stabilize gum tissues. At the office of Mountainview Dental, clinicians emphasize prevention and tailored treatment plans to reduce risk and protect long-term function.
Gum disease starts when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates along the gumline and hardens into tartar if not removed. These bacteria irritate the gum tissue, which triggers inflammation and pocket formation between the tooth and gum where bacteria can thrive. Over time, persistent inflammation can destroy the periodontal ligament and underlying bone, leading to tooth mobility and potential tooth loss.
Progression is influenced by factors such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications, dry mouth, and inconsistent oral hygiene. Because early inflammation can be painless, many people do not seek care until the disease is more advanced. Regular dental exams and periodontal charting help catch changes early so treatment can halt or slow the destructive process.
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums without loss of bone or connective tissue. When gingivitis is treated promptly with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, the inflammation typically resolves and tissues return to health. Gingivitis does not involve attachment loss, which is why early treatment is so effective.
Periodontitis occurs when inflammation progresses and begins to damage the supporting structures that hold teeth in place, including connective tissue and bone. At this stage, pockets form and bacteria colonize deeper areas that are harder to clean with routine home care alone. Treatment for periodontitis focuses on arresting tissue destruction and restoring an environment that patients can maintain through both professional care and daily hygiene.
Certain changes in your mouth warrant a prompt periodontal evaluation, even when they seem minor. Common warning signs include gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, gum recession, increased tooth sensitivity, and swelling or tenderness of the tissue.
Other important indicators are loosening or shifting teeth, new gaps between teeth, changes in how dentures fit, or any discharge near the gumline. Because periodontal disease can advance without pain, routine dental visits are essential to catch early changes that may not be obvious to the patient.
A comprehensive periodontal examination includes probing pocket depths around each tooth, assessing attachment levels, and reviewing dental radiographs to evaluate bone support. The clinician will also examine gum tissue for signs of inflammation, measure gum recession, and document any tooth mobility. A medical and dental history review identifies risk factors such as smoking or systemic conditions that may affect treatment.
This information is used to create a customized treatment plan that addresses the severity of disease, patient preferences, and overall oral health goals. The plan typically outlines initial therapies, maintenance schedules, and any further procedures that may be necessary to restore or preserve periodontal health. Clear communication about expected outcomes and follow-up care is an important part of the evaluation process.
Non-surgical therapy is often the first line of treatment for periodontitis and centers on thorough cleaning of root surfaces below the gumline, known as scaling and root planing. This procedure removes plaque and calculus that harbor bacteria and irritate the tissues, allowing the gum to reattach and pockets to reduce in depth. In select cases, localized antimicrobial agents or short courses of medication are used to help control bacterial levels and support healing.
Following non-surgical therapy, patients typically enter a periodontal maintenance program with more frequent cleanings and monitoring to prevent recurrence. Success depends on both professional care and the patient’s daily oral hygiene practices, including effective brushing and interdental cleaning. When non-surgical measures produce limited improvement, clinicians reassess and may recommend additional or surgical options.
Surgical or regenerative procedures are recommended when periodontal damage is advanced or when non-surgical therapy cannot sufficiently reduce pocket depths or restore healthy anatomy. Common surgical approaches include flap surgery to access and debride root surfaces, pocket reduction to reshape the tissue, and regenerative techniques such as bone grafts or guided tissue regeneration to rebuild lost bone and connective tissue. The goal of these procedures is to eliminate environments where bacteria persist and to create contours that patients can clean effectively.
Regenerative procedures are chosen when there is a reasonable chance to restore supporting structures and improve long-term prognosis for the affected teeth. Treatment selection is based on clinical measurements, radiographic findings, and the patient’s overall health and hygiene capacity. Close postoperative care and a strict maintenance schedule are essential to secure the benefits of surgical therapy.
Systemic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and tobacco use are significant risk factors that increase susceptibility to periodontal disease and can impair healing after treatment. Diabetes can alter immune response and blood flow, making it harder to control infections, while smoking reduces blood supply, diminishes tissue healing, and promotes deeper pockets. Both factors often lead to more rapid progression and poorer responses to conventional therapies.
Addressing these systemic issues is an important part of comprehensive periodontal care because improved medical control and smoking cessation enhance treatment outcomes. Clinicians will consider these conditions when developing a treatment plan and may coordinate care with medical providers to optimize overall health. Patients can often achieve better periodontal stability when systemic risk factors are managed alongside dental therapy.
Treatment experiences vary depending on the procedures performed, but clinicians prioritize patient comfort and clear instructions throughout therapy. Non-surgical treatments are typically performed with local anesthesia or topical agents as needed and may cause mild soreness for a few days; surgical procedures often involve more extensive postoperative instructions, pain control, and short-term dietary modifications. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor healing, remove sutures when present, and reinforce home care techniques.
Recovery timelines depend on the extent of treatment and the patient’s health, but good oral hygiene and adherence to postoperative recommendations greatly influence outcomes. Periodontal therapy is a process that includes active treatment followed by long-term maintenance to preserve the results. Regular maintenance visits and consistent home care are essential to protect the investment in periodontal health.
Long-term periodontal health relies on a partnership between the patient and the dental team, combining effective daily oral hygiene with professional maintenance visits. Patients should practice thorough twice-daily brushing, daily interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes, and use any prescribed adjuncts such as antimicrobial rinses or localized therapies when recommended. Regular periodontal maintenance appointments, often scheduled more frequently than routine cleanings, remove new deposits and allow clinicians to detect early signs of recurrence.
Lifestyle measures also support periodontal stability; controlling systemic diseases, avoiding tobacco, maintaining a balanced diet, and staying hydrated all contribute to healthier tissues. When issues are identified early through monitoring, less invasive interventions can keep disease from progressing. Consistent communication with your dental team helps adjust care plans as needs change over time.
Mountainview Dental emphasizes individualized care that begins with thorough assessment and continues through active therapy and ongoing maintenance tailored to each patient. The practice integrates clinical evaluation, radiographic review, risk factor assessment, and patient education to create predictable treatment plans designed for long-term stability. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based therapies, conservative management when possible, and clear guidance for home care to support professional treatment.
Preventive strategies and frequent periodontal monitoring are central to the practice philosophy so that disease can be detected early and managed effectively. Patients are given practical oral hygiene instruction and a maintenance schedule that reflects their specific risk profile and treatment history. The goal is to preserve natural teeth and maintain oral function while supporting overall health through collaborative care.
