The Early Stage
Gingivitis
Plaque along the gumline inflames the gums, so they turn red, swell and bleed easily. The bone isn’t affected yet, and with a cleaning and good daily care, gingivitis can be reversed.
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Gum Disease
For gums that bleed, swell or pull back: how gum disease is found, staged and treated, from a deep cleaning to LANAP® laser therapy.
Gum Disease
Gum Disease Treatment in Long Beach
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums and the bone that hold your teeth in place. Caught early, it can be reversed. Left alone, it is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
It rarely hurts at first, so many people don’t know they have it. If you’ve noticed any of the signs below, an exam will show where your gums stand and what, if anything, needs treatment.
Signs to Watch For
Book an exam if you notice any of these. Gum disease is easiest to treat early.
- Bleeding gumsWhen you brush or floss. Healthy gums don’t bleed.
- Red, swollen or tender gumsOften the first change you can see.
- Bad breath that lingersOr a bad taste that brushing doesn’t fix.
- Gums pulling backTeeth look longer, or the roots feel sensitive.
- Loose or shifting teethNew gaps, or a bite that feels different.
- A gum abscessA painful, swollen spot or pus. Call us soon.
The Stages
From Gingivitis to Periodontitis
If Left Untreated
Periodontitis
The infection moves below the gumline. The gums pull away from the teeth to form pockets, and the bone that holds the teeth starts to wear away. Teeth can loosen and, in time, be lost.
Causes
What Causes Periodontal Disease
It starts with plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. Plaque that isn’t removed hardens into tartar, which only a dental cleaning can remove.
Some things raise your risk:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Diabetes
- A family history of gum disease
- Hormone changes, such as pregnancy
- Medicines that cause a dry mouth
- Crowded teeth that are hard to clean
Why It Matters
Why Early Treatment Matters
Once the bone around a tooth is lost, it doesn’t grow back on its own. Treating gum disease early protects the bone you have.
Researchers have also found links between gum disease and other conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. With diabetes the link seems to run both ways, so healthy gums are part of looking after your overall health.
Diagnosis
How We Diagnose Gum Disease
We measure the space between each tooth and its gum with a thin, gentle probe. Healthy gums fit snugly; a deeper pocket means the gum is pulling away and bacteria have room to collect. X-rays show what the probe can’t: the bone around each root.
Your First Visit
- We listenTell us what you’ve noticed, your health history and any medicines you take.
- We measureA gentle probe checks the pocket around each tooth. It feels like light pressure.
- We take X-raysTo see the bone level that a probe can’t reach.
- We explainYour stage, your options and what insurance covers, before any treatment starts.
Treatment
Gum Disease Treatment Options
We start with the gentlest treatment that will work, and move to laser or surgical care only when it’s needed.
Treatment depends on the stage. Most people start with a deep cleaning; laser and surgical care are for deep pockets and bone loss.
Professional Cleaning
For gingivitis. A thorough cleaning with Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR), plus help with your routine at home.
Scaling and Root Planing
A deep cleaning below the gumline. We numb the area, remove tartar from the roots and smooth them so the gums can heal against the tooth. A laser can be added to clear infected tissue from the pockets.
Antibiotics
Used alongside a deep cleaning when the infection needs extra help.
LANAP® Laser Gum Treatment
For moderate to severe gum disease. A laser treats deep pockets without cutting the gums away. Dr. Adli is LANAP® certified.
Gum and Bone Surgery
Flap surgery, gum grafting and bone grafting with Dr. Rafiel Rafiee, our Board Certified Periodontist, when gums or bone need rebuilding.
Periodontal Maintenance
Gum disease can return, so after treatment we’ll see you for maintenance cleanings at an interval set for your gums.
Your Care
Who Treats You
- Diagnosis and LANAP®
- Dr. Camille Adli, DDS
- Gum surgery and grafting
- Dr. Rafiel Rafiee, Board Certified Periodontist
- Cleanings
- Our hygienists, with Laser Bacterial Reduction
Dr. Adli has practiced in Long Beach since 1997 and is one of about 3,000 dentists worldwide certified in LANAP®. Meet our dentists.
Cost and Insurance
Many PPO plans cover part of gum disease treatment. We accept most PPO plans, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, ILWU and Operating Engineers.
We’ll check your benefits and explain your share before you start. CareCredit and Sunbit can spread the rest into monthly payments. See financing options.
Prevention
Preventing Gum Disease
Most gum disease can be prevented with steady habits and regular cleanings.
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Brush Twice a Day
Two minutes each time, with a soft brush angled toward the gumline.
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Clean Between Your Teeth
Floss or use small interdental brushes once a day. Gum disease often starts between the teeth.
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Skip the Tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco raise your risk and slow healing.
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Keep Your Check-Ups
Regular cleanings and check-ups remove the tartar that brushing can’t. If your gums need it, we’ll suggest seeing you more often.
Questions
Gum Disease FAQs
Gingivitis, the early stage, usually can. A professional cleaning and good care at home let the gums heal. Periodontitis can’t be fully reversed, because lost bone doesn’t grow back on its own, but treatment can stop it, and some treatments aim to rebuild support.
An exam and a regular cleaning shouldn’t. For a deep cleaning, laser treatment or surgery, we numb the area first, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Some tenderness afterward is normal.
Bleeding gums are the most common early sign, but many people notice nothing at all. An exam is the only way to know: we measure your gum pockets and look at your X-rays.
Many PPO plans cover part of deep cleanings and other gum treatment. We’ll check your benefits before you start, and CareCredit and Sunbit can spread the rest into monthly payments.