Gum disease is one of the most common health problems in the country, and one of the easiest to miss. It often starts without pain. Your gums might bleed a little when you brush, or your breath might not feel as fresh as it used to. Many people shrug these signs off until a tooth starts to feel loose.
The good news is that gum disease is very treatable, especially when it is caught early. At Smiles4Life in Thousand Oaks, our in-house periodontist, Dr. Pedram Fakheri, treats every stage of gum disease in the same office where you get your regular cleanings. This guide covers the warning signs, how gum disease progresses, and the treatments that can help you keep your natural teeth.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It starts when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along the gumline. If plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional.
As bacteria build up, your gums become irritated and start to pull away from your teeth. This creates small spaces called pockets. Over time, those pockets get deeper, collect more bacteria, and can damage the bone that supports your teeth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 4 in 10 adults age 30 and older in the United States have some form of periodontitis. The risk goes up with age, smoking, diabetes, and a family history of gum problems.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease does not always hurt, so it helps to know what to look for. Call us for an exam if you notice any of these signs:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste that will not go away
- Gums that are pulling back from your teeth, making teeth look longer
- Teeth that feel loose or are shifting
- A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite
- Pus between your teeth and gums
If you have bad breath or gum recession, gum disease may be the cause. An exam is the only way to know for sure.
What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?
Gum disease usually moves through three stages. The earlier it is treated, the simpler the treatment tends to be.
- Gingivitis. This is the earliest stage. Gums are red and may bleed, but the bone and tissue that hold your teeth are not yet damaged. Gingivitis can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and better home care.
- Periodontitis. The infection has spread below the gumline. Pockets form, and bone around the teeth starts to break down. This damage cannot be undone on its own, but treatment can stop it from getting worse.
- Advanced periodontitis. Pockets are deep, bone loss is significant, and teeth may become loose or need to be removed. Treatment at this stage often includes surgery to save as many teeth as possible.
How Is Gum Disease Treated at Smiles4Life?
Dr. Fakheri builds each treatment plan around the stage of your gum disease, your overall health, and your goals. We always start with the gentlest option that will work. Treatments we offer in-house include:
- Deep cleaning and scaling and root planing to remove tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smooth the tooth roots so gums can reattach
- Arestin, a local antibiotic placed directly into deep pockets to help control infection after a deep cleaning
- Laser gum therapy to remove infected tissue with less bleeding and swelling than traditional methods
- The LANAP procedure, a laser treatment designed to clean deep pockets and help the gums and bone heal without cutting the gums
- Gingivectomy to remove overgrown or diseased gum tissue
- Gum surgery and osseous bone surgery to reach and clean deep pockets and reshape damaged bone
- Gum grafting to cover exposed roots and rebuild gum tissue lost to recession
You can see all of our gum care options on our periodontal dentistry page.
What Is a Deep Cleaning, and Does It Hurt?
A deep cleaning is often the first step in treating gum disease. It is different from a regular teeth cleaning, which focuses on the visible part of your teeth. A deep cleaning goes below the gumline to remove tartar from the roots.
We numb the area first, so most patients feel pressure but not pain. Your gums may feel sore for a day or two afterward. Most people go back to work or school the same day. If you feel nervous about dental visits, ask us about our sedation dentistry options.
Why Does Gum Disease Matter for the Rest of Your Body?
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body. Research has linked gum disease to other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, and gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control. Keeping your gums healthy is one way to support your overall health.
Gum disease is also the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Treating it early is the best way to keep your natural teeth for life.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Gum Disease?
Yes, in many cases. Healthy gums and enough bone are needed to support an implant, so we treat gum disease first. If you have lost bone, bone grafting can help rebuild it.
Dr. Fakheri is also a dental implant specialist who has placed thousands of implants. That means the same doctor who treats your gums can plan and place your dental implants, without a referral to another office.
Meet Dr. Pedram Fakheri, Our Periodontist
Dr. Pedram Fakheri earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He then completed advanced surgical training at Loma Linda University, where he earned his specialty certificate and Master of Science in Dentistry in Periodontics and Implant Surgery.
He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the Academy of Osseointegration. Dr. Fakheri takes time to understand each patient's needs and explain every treatment option, from simple gum care to complex implant cases.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
Good daily habits and regular checkups go a long way. Here is what we recommend:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Floss or use a water flosser once a day to clean between teeth
- Visit us for exams and cleanings at least twice a year, or more often if you have a history of gum disease
- Do not smoke or use tobacco
- If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range
Some patients benefit from more than two cleanings a year. You can read more in our post on why more than two cleanings a year can help your smile.
Does Insurance Cover Gum Disease Treatment?
Most PPO dental plans cover part of the cost of deep cleanings and other periodontal treatments. Every plan is different. Smiles4Life accepts most PPO and medical plans, and our front office will verify your benefits before treatment begins. We also offer an in-house discount plan and financing through CareCredit, Cherry, Lending Club, and Sunbit. You can check your insurance or review our financing options.
Book a gum health exam in Thousand Oaks
If your gums bleed, feel tender, or look like they are pulling back, do not wait for it to hurt. An exam can tell you exactly where your gums stand and what, if anything, needs to be done.
Call Smiles4Life at (805) 301-7777, book online, or visit us at 1140 E Thousand Oaks Blvd Suite A in Thousand Oaks, CA. We welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Moorpark, Camarillo, Agoura Hills, and Calabasas.
