Gum disease treatment is care that removes the bacteria and tartar infecting your gums, stops the infection from spreading, and repairs damage where it can. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides periodontal care in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
A national study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2018 estimated that 42.2% of U.S. adults aged 30 and older with natural teeth had periodontitis, and 7.8% had a severe form. If your gums bleed, look swollen or seem to be pulling back, call (310) 542-6988 to book a gum evaluation.
How Gum Disease Progresses
Gum disease starts when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along the gumline and hardens into tartar. The gums react with inflammation. Smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes and skipped cleanings all raise the risk.
The first stage is gingivitis. The gums turn red, swell and bleed when you brush or floss, but the bone around the teeth is not yet affected. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with professional cleanings and better home care.
If it is left alone, gingivitis can become periodontitis. The gum pulls away from the tooth and forms a pocket where bacteria collect out of reach of a toothbrush. Over time the infection can destroy the bone that holds teeth in place. Lost bone does not grow back by itself, so treatment at this stage aims to stop the disease and keep the teeth you have.
Signs worth getting checked
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath that does not go away
- Gums that have pulled back, making teeth look longer
- Teeth that feel loose or have started to shift
How to Choose the Right Gum Treatment
The right treatment depends on how far the disease has gone, and that is measured, not guessed. At a gum evaluation a thin probe measures the space between each tooth and the gum, and X-rays show the bone level. Healthy pockets are generally 1 to 3 millimeters deep. Deeper pockets, bleeding and bone loss point to periodontitis.
Treatment usually follows this order, stopping at the step that brings the disease under control:
- Gingivitis is usually treated with a professional cleaning and better brushing and flossing at home.
- Early to moderate periodontitis is usually treated first with a deep cleaning below the gumline.
- Pockets that stay deep after that cleaning may need laser treatment or surgery to reach the bottom of them.
- Gum or bone that has already been lost may be rebuilt with grafting.
- After any active treatment, regular maintenance cleanings help keep the disease under control.
Our Gum Disease Treatments
Treating active gum disease
Scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots so the gums can tighten again. It is the usual first treatment for periodontitis and is done with the area numbed.
Perio Protect® uses custom trays that hold medication against your gums at home for a few minutes a day. It is an option for patients who need help controlling bacteria between visits, alongside professional treatment.
Laser pocket reduction uses a dental laser to clean out bacteria and tartar and reduce pockets that a deep cleaning could not reach. It is for patients whose pockets stay deep after non-surgical treatment.
Periodontal surgery covers procedures such as flap surgery, where the gum is lifted so the roots can be cleaned and the tissue repositioned, and gingivectomy, which removes excess gum. It is for more advanced disease that has affected the bone and the support of the teeth.
Keeping gum disease under control
Periodontal maintenance is a cleaning above and below the gumline, typically every three months instead of every six. It is for anyone who has been treated for periodontitis, because the bacteria that cause it can build back up within weeks. Patients with healthy gums stay on routine cleanings and exams.
Repairing gum and bone
Gum recession treatment starts with finding the cause, such as gum disease or brushing too hard, and ranges from gentler brushing habits to cleanings, grafting or surgery. It is for patients with sensitive teeth or roots that have become exposed. A scalpel-free option for some patients is the Chao Pinhole® technique, which moves existing gum tissue back over the root through a small opening.
Soft tissue grafting, also called a gum graft, attaches tissue from the roof of the mouth or a tissue bank to areas where the gum has receded. It is for recession that needs rebuilding rather than just stopping.
Bone grafting adds bone where gum disease or a missing tooth has left the jaw too thin. It is for patients who have lost bone around their teeth, and for many patients preparing for dental implants.
Reshaping the gums
Crown lengthening removes a small amount of gum tissue to expose more of the tooth. It is for a tooth broken near the gumline that needs room for a crown, or for a “gummy smile” where the teeth look short.
What Gum Disease Treatment Costs
The cost of gum disease treatment depends on which treatment you need and how much of the mouth it covers. A deep cleaning is usually billed by quadrant, one quarter of the mouth at a time, while surgery and grafting are priced by the area treated and the materials used. Maintenance cleanings continue afterward. Ask for an estimate after your evaluation so you know the number before treatment starts.
Most dental insurance plans list deep cleanings, maintenance and gum surgery as periodontal procedures and cover part of them, subject to your deductible, frequency limits and annual maximum. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to your treatment. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations. Gum care is part of the everyday dentistry we provide, and your measurements and X-rays are reviewed with you before any treatment is recommended.
If you are nervous about dental work, ask about sedation dentistry when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a regular dentist treat gum disease?
A regular dentist can treat gum disease, and most cases are diagnosed and treated in general dental offices. Gingivitis, deep cleanings and periodontal maintenance are routine care for a general dentist and dental hygienist. Very advanced or complex cases are more often managed with a periodontist.
What doctor should I see for gum disease?
For gum disease, most people should start with their general dentist, who can measure the gums, take X-rays and treat most cases. A periodontist is a dentist with additional specialty training in gum disease and is often involved when the disease is severe or does not respond to treatment. Ask us whether a referral to a periodontist makes sense for your case.
What is the most effective treatment for gum disease?
The most effective treatment for gum disease depends on its stage. Gingivitis usually responds to a professional cleaning and better home care. For periodontitis, scaling and root planing is the standard first treatment, followed by maintenance cleanings, with laser treatment or surgery when pockets stay deep.
When is it too late to reverse gum disease?
Gum disease can usually be reversed while it is still gingivitis, before the bone around the teeth is affected. Once it becomes periodontitis, the bone already lost does not grow back on its own. Treatment at that stage aims to stop the disease from progressing, and grafting can rebuild some lost tissue in certain cases.
Can I still keep my teeth with periodontal disease?
Many people with periodontal disease keep their teeth for life when it is treated and followed by regular maintenance cleanings. The outlook depends on how much bone has been lost and how well the disease is controlled afterward. Daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth matter as much as the treatment itself.
Will insurance cover periodontal disease treatment?
Insurance usually covers part of periodontal disease treatment, because most dental plans list deep cleanings, maintenance and gum surgery as periodontal procedures. Your deductible, frequency limits and annual maximum still apply. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to your treatment.
When is it too late to fix receding gums?
Receding gums do not grow back on their own, but it is rarely too late to stop recession or cover exposed roots. Gum grafting or the Chao Pinhole technique can rebuild coverage in many cases. The sooner recession is treated, the more options remain, because advanced recession and bone loss limit what can be repaired.
Book a Gum Evaluation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online, and mention any bleeding, swelling or receding gums so we can plan a gum evaluation alongside any other dental care you need.