At Infinite Dental Wellness, we work diligently to prevent gum disease in our patients. Gum disease is one of the most common conditions in dentistry, and most adults will experience some form of it during their lifetime. The challenge is that gum disease can quietly progress and lead to bone and tooth loss, which is why it is so important to both prevent and treat it early. If you live in Glendale or the surrounding area, our team can examine you, let you know whether you are showing any signs of the condition, and make recommendations for keeping your gums healthy. To schedule an appointment, call (818) 541-1110.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It develops in stages. The earliest stage, called gingivitis, involves inflammation of the gums and is often reversible with professional cleaning and good home care. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form in which the infection spreads below the gum line, damages the supporting bone, and causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. Because the early stages are usually painless, many people do not realize they have gum disease until it has advanced. Regular dental visits allow us to catch and treat it long before it threatens your teeth.
Causes of Gum Disease
There are several reasons gum disease develops, but the primary causes are plaque and tartar. Anything that becomes stuck between your teeth, along your gums, or under the gum tissue can cause irritation and swelling. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that everyone deals with, but it is the buildup beneath the gums that truly causes problems. When plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed professionally and continues to irritate and infect the gums. Beyond oral hygiene, several risk factors increase your likelihood of developing gum disease:
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes, which can make gums more sensitive and prone to swelling
- Diabetes, which affects the body's ability to fight infection
- Smoking and tobacco use, which restrict blood flow to the gums and slow healing
- Certain medications that reduce saliva or cause gum tissue to overgrow
- Genetics, which can make some people more susceptible
- Poor oral hygiene and infrequent dental visits
Common Signs of Gum Disease
Recognizing the warning signs of gum disease can help you seek treatment before serious damage occurs. Some of the most common signs include:
- Red and swollen gums
- Gums that bleed when brushing, flossing, or eating anything crunchy
- Teeth that appear to be getting longer, which is a sign of gum recession
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- Tender or receding gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend that you call (818) 541-1110 to schedule an examination right away. Many of these signs are easy to overlook or dismiss, but addressing them early makes treatment simpler, more comfortable, and more successful.
Ways to Prevent Gum Disease
Prevention is always the best approach, and the good news is that gum disease is largely preventable with consistent care. We encourage our Glendale patients to brush their teeth two to three times a day, using a circular motion that moves food particles and plaque away from the gums. Daily flossing is just as important, and you should reach gently below the gum line rather than stopping at the top. An antiseptic mouthwash can help kill lingering bacteria and freshen your breath.
You should also have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice per year. It is difficult to remove all plaque at home, and tartar simply cannot be removed by brushing and flossing once it has hardened. In our dental office, we remove both plaque and tartar to dramatically reduce your risk of gum disease. We also recommend quitting smoking, keeping blood sugar under control if you have diabetes, and drinking plenty of water, all of which support healthier gums.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
There are several ways to treat gum disease, and what we recommend depends on how far the condition has progressed. For patients in the earliest stages, a standard professional cleaning combined with improved home care is often all that is needed to restore the gums to good health. If the condition has advanced further, more involved treatment may be necessary. Common options include:
- Periodontal infection therapy. This uses targeted antimicrobial treatment to slow the growth of gum disease. Your dentist may prescribe an antiseptic mouth rinse designed to reduce bacteria and fight infection when used daily.
- Deep cleaning. Also called scaling and root planing, this is often performed over multiple appointments, with the mouth divided into sections. The gums are gently moved aside so plaque and tartar can be removed from beneath the gum line and the root surfaces smoothed. Because this can cause some discomfort, it is completed over several visits, and lasers may be used in appropriate cases to make the process more efficient and comfortable.
- Gum grafts. If your gums have receded and too much of your teeth or roots are exposed, a gum graft can restore the tissue around the teeth. This is done using tissue from the roof of your mouth or donor tissue, securing the gums back into a healthier, more protective position.
- Antibiotics. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed in combination with other gum therapy to eliminate lingering infection and support healing.
Our goal with every treatment is to stop the disease, restore your gums to health, and protect your natural teeth, all while keeping you comfortable throughout the process.
What to Expect at Your Visit
When you come in with concerns about your gums, we begin with a thorough, gentle examination. We measure the health of your gums, check for areas of recession or pockets where bacteria collect, and may take digital X-rays to evaluate the supporting bone. We then explain our findings in clear, plain language and discuss a personalized treatment plan. There is never any pressure, only honest guidance designed to protect your health. For anxious patients, we take extra care to ensure a calm, comfortable experience from start to finish.
Why You Could Need a Bone Graft Following Severe Gum Disease
Severe gum disease can dramatically and negatively impact your oral health. As the disease progresses, the gums swell and then recede, pulling away from the tooth structure. This is problematic because the more of your teeth and roots that become exposed, the more vulnerable they are to bacteria. At the same time, the jawbone that supports your teeth can lose density. If significant bone loss occurs, a bone grafting procedure may be recommended. During a bone graft, grafting material is placed in the area of loss to encourage new bone growth and support the health and stability of your remaining teeth. Whether this is needed depends on what your X-rays reveal, but identifying and treating gum disease early is the surest way to avoid reaching this point.
Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
The health of your gums is connected to the health of your whole body. Research has linked untreated gum disease to a range of broader health concerns, and the chronic inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease can affect conditions such as diabetes. Caring for your gums is not only about protecting your smile, it is part of caring for your overall well-being. This is one more reason we encourage regular checkups and prompt attention to any warning signs.
Cost and Insurance
We believe everyone deserves healthy gums, and we work to make treatment affordable. Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO dental insurance plans, and our team will help you understand your benefits and what to expect. Please note that we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. Because early treatment is far simpler and less costly than treating advanced disease, addressing gum problems promptly is always the wisest investment in your health and your budget. We are happy to review costs and options with you before any treatment begins.
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Understanding the Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease does not appear all at once; it progresses through stages, and understanding them helps you appreciate why early action matters so much. The first stage, gingivitis, is marked by red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. At this point, the condition is usually reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. If gingivitis is ignored, it can advance to early and then moderate periodontitis, in which the infection moves below the gum line, pockets form between the gums and teeth, and the supporting bone begins to break down. In advanced periodontitis, significant bone and tissue loss can cause teeth to loosen and even fall out. The earlier in this progression we intervene, the simpler, more comfortable, and more successful treatment tends to be.
Who Is Most at Risk?
While anyone can develop gum disease, certain groups face a higher risk and benefit from extra vigilance. People who smoke or use tobacco, those with diabetes, pregnant women, and individuals with a family history of gum disease should be especially attentive to their gum health. Patients taking certain medications that cause dry mouth or gum overgrowth are also more vulnerable. If you fall into one of these groups, more frequent cleanings and checkups can make a meaningful difference. During your visits, we will assess your personal risk factors and recommend a care schedule designed to keep your gums healthy.
Maintaining Healthy Gums After Treatment
Successfully treating gum disease is only the beginning; keeping it from returning requires ongoing care. After treatment, we may recommend a periodontal maintenance schedule with more frequent professional cleanings to keep bacteria under control and monitor your gums closely. At home, consistent brushing, daily flossing, and the use of any recommended rinses are essential. Small, steady habits protect the progress you have made and help ensure your gums stay healthy for life. Our team will work with you to build a routine that is realistic and effective for your situation.
If you suspect you may have gum disease because your gums are red, swollen, bleeding, or receding, call our dental office right away. We can examine you, let you know whether gum disease is present, and recommend the right treatment to restore your health. Glendale families choose Infinite Dental Wellness because Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan, a USC-trained husband-and-wife team, deliver gentle, all-ages care in a mercury-free office with a 4.9-star rating and more than 300 reviews. We also reserve time for same-day dental emergencies. If you live in the Glendale area, call (818) 541-1110 to schedule your dental exam and take an important step toward protecting your smile for life.
Scheduling Your Gum Disease Visit in Glendale
Getting started with gum disease at Infinite Dental Wellness is simple. Our Glendale office near the Verdugo Woodlands is easy to reach for patients across La Crescenta, La Cañada Flintridge, Montrose, Burbank, and Pasadena, and we keep wait times short so your appointment begins on time. From your first phone call, our friendly team takes care of the details so you can focus on your smile.
- Call (818) 541-1110 or request an appointment online to find a time that fits your schedule.
- Bring your PPO dental insurance information and we will help verify your benefits before treatment.
- Ask us about same-day visits if you are dealing with pain or a dental emergency.
- Let us know about any anxiety so we can make your visit as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
Whether this is your first visit or you are returning for ongoing care, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are ready to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile. Call (818) 541-1110 today to learn more about gum disease and the rest of our services.