Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and the bone that hold your teeth in place. Left untreated, it leads to loose teeth and tooth loss. Because it usually causes no pain, most people do not know they have it until it is advanced.
How gum disease progresses
It starts as gingivitis: red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. This stage is caused by plaque and is reversible with a professional cleaning and good home care.
Untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis. The gum separates from the tooth, forming pockets, and the bone underneath begins to dissolve. Bone loss is what makes teeth loosen and eventually fall out. Like any chronic disease, the earlier we catch it, the easier it is to treat.
Signs you may have gum disease
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Healthy gums never bleed.
- Red, puffy or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- “Long” teeth, receding gumlines or sensitive, exposed roots
- Food packing under the gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Visibly heavy tartar buildup
If you notice any of these, an evaluation with a periodontist is the right next step. Dr. Ovcharenko measures pocket depths and bone levels, shows you your own X-rays and photos, and recommends the least invasive treatment that will work.
Bleeding gums treatment
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are usually the first sign of gingivitis. At this stage a professional cleaning and better home care can reverse it. If the bleeding keeps coming back, Dr. Ovcharenko checks for deeper pockets and bone loss so a bigger problem is not missed.
Gum infection treatment
Swollen, tender gums, pus, a bad taste or a tooth that suddenly feels loose can mean an active gum infection or advanced periodontitis. Dr. Ovcharenko finds the source, cleans out the infection and treats the pocket it came from so it does not keep coming back. Options range from a deep cleaning to LANAP laser therapy or pocket reduction surgery.
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) in Frisco
A deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can reattach. The area is numbed first, and for early periodontitis it is often all you need, followed by periodontal maintenance visits every three to four months.
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