Desert Foothills Dental

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Desert Foothills Dental > Services > Periodontal Disease Treatment

Bleeding gums are not normal and are a sign of gum disease. Call us for prompt treatment to protect your smile.

Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush? We Can Help!

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Periodontal Disease Treatment

Do your gums feel tender or bleed when you brush and floss? Do you have bad breath that won’t go away no matter how much mouthwash you use?

Both are signs of gum disease, a serious health issue that affects nearly half of US adults over age 30. At Desert Foothills Dental, we provide expert treatment to eliminate gingivitis and control advanced periodontal disease called periodontitis.

How Does Gum Disease Develop?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection that develops when plaque builds up on your teeth. Plaque hardens into a substance called tartar or calculus that sits along the gumline and inflames gum tissue. As it advances, gum disease starts to attack bones and structures that hold teeth in place, putting you at risk for tooth loss.

Symptoms of gum disease include:

Bleeding when you brush and floss
Inflamed, swollen, or puffy gums
Bad breath
Loose teeth
A change in the way your teeth feel

Certain risk factors make you more prone to developing gum disease, including diabetes, smoking, and being pregnant.

The Oral-Systemic Link

Gum disease is more than an oral health problem. There is increasing evidence based on scientific studies that a connection exists between what happens in your mouth and numerous serious health conditions. These include a link to heart disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, certain cancers, and as many as 50 other conditions.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Plaque releases toxins that irritate sensitive gum tissue leading to early gum disease called gingivitis.

Gingivitis is reversible with prompt treatment that involves a thorough teeth cleaning with one of our gentle hygienists. They will also point out areas where you can improve your brushing and flossing habits o prevent a recurrence of the disease.

Periodontitis

Gum disease is progressive, and without gingivitis treatment, the infection advances, and harmful bacteria and tartar deposits build up on teeth above and below the gumline. You can’t clean this area when you brush, and without treatment, you may experience bleeding, increased inflammation, receding gums, and loss of bone tissue. Here's am example of mild to moderate bone of from a patient's x-ray.

Deep Cleaning Treatment

We can’t reverse periodontitis, but we can provide scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning treatment, and ongoing care to help prevent it from progressing.

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing is a specialized treatment that removes excessive plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. Your hygienist numbs the area first to ensure you are comfortable, then uses an ultrasonic scaler to separate calculus from the teeth.

Deep cleaning treatment can be extensive, so we often perform it in stages over multiple appointments. After treatment, your hygienist will recommend periodontal maintenance that involves more frequent teeth cleanings.

How to Avoid Gum Disease

Consistent oral hygiene is the first and most crucial step to avoiding gum disease. Brush at least twice a day—especially after meals—and follow a routine of professional cleanings every six months.

Working as a team, we can create a healthier environment in your mouth to keep gum disease at bay and protect your smile.

Schedule Your Next Teeth Cleaning with Us

Preventing gum disease is much easier than dealing with its symptoms and complex treatment. If you think you have gum disease, please call our Phoenix dental office to schedule a teeth cleaning to see how we can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my gums bleed when I brush?

Bleeding, red, and puffy gums are a symptom of gingivitis, an inflammation caused by an excess buildup of plaque and tartar. Gingivitis is the early, mild stage of gum disease.

Plaque is a sticky film that collects on the teeth and contains saliva, food debris, and bacteria. Brushing twice daily and flossing once removes a lot of plaque, which is why consistent at-home oral hygiene is crucial.

Gingivitis Treatment

Plaque not removed with brushing and flossing builds up and turns into a hard, bacteria-filled substance called tartar. Because tartar sticks to the teeth, only a dental hygienist can remove it using specialized instruments. If tartar remains, it causes leads to gingivitis.

Gingivitis is reversible if we catch it early enough. A thorough professional teeth cleaning and improved oral hygiene are typically the only treatment needed.

Periodontitis Treatment

Untreated gingivitis advances to periodontitis, where the infection progresses and starts affecting the teeth’s supporting structures like ligaments and bones. Periodontitis is not reversible, but we can manage it and prevent it from progressing.

Periodontitis treatment is a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing that removes plaque and tartar below the gumline and helps gum tissue reattach to the tooth roots.

Do You Need Gum Disease Treatment?

The best way to avoid bleeding gums and gum disease is to schedule professional teeth cleanings every six months. If you think you have gum disease, please call our Phoenix dental office so that we can schedule an appointment with one of our amazing hygienists.

How does marijuana use affect dental care?

The effects of marijuana on dental care and dental anesthesia can vary depending on the individual. However, here are some general observations:

Dental Anesthesia: Marijuana use can affect the way your body responds to dental anesthesia, making it more difficult to achieve a sufficient level of sedation for dental procedures. This can lead to a longer recovery time or increased discomfort during the procedure.
Interaction with Medications: If you are using marijuana and other medications, it's important to inform your dentist, as some medications can interact with each other and impact the effectiveness of dental anesthesia. Anxiety and
Nervousness: For some people, marijuana use can increase anxiety and nervousness, making it more difficult to undergo dental procedures. This can lead to increased stress levels and discomfort during the procedure.
Impairment of Cognitive and Motor Skills: Marijuana use can impair cognitive and motor skills, making it more difficult to follow instructions during a dental procedure and increasing the risk of injury to the patient or the dental staff.

It's important to inform your dentist if you use marijuana, so they can take it into account when planning your dental care and administer the appropriate amount of anesthesia. This can help ensure a safe and effective dental procedure.

Why can't I get a quote over the phone?

For the vast majority of dental procedures, we need to take a look at what you need a quote for before stating a dollar amount. For example, with a crown, several factors determine the price including but not limited to:

Does the tooth need a root canal?
Does the tooth need a build-up?
What kind of material needs to be used for the crown?
Does the patient clench or grind their teeth?
Is the tooth supported by healthy teeth and gums?
Does the tooth need custom color matching?

That being said, we CAN quote prices for things such as exams and some basic procedures over the phone.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Aditya Singh DDS FAGD

Dr. Singh earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 2001 from The Ohio State University. Before dental school, Dr. Singh attended Case Western Reserve University, majoring in biology with a ...