Did you know that the most common cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease? According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease. However, the good news is that periodontal disease is almost entirely preventable. At the office of 360 Dental of Mill Creek, we offer a comprehensive range of services to help patients maintain optimal periodontal health and enjoy the benefits of a smile that look, feels, and functions at its best.
Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory diseases that affect the "periodontium", which are the hard and soft tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth. Just like tooth decay, gum disease is attributed to the harmful bacteria in dental plaque and tartar that accumulate around the teeth and under the gums.
Since the progression of periodontal disease is often painless, you may not even be aware of an ongoing disease process. For this very reason, it’s essential to practice good oral hygiene and schedule visits for regular checkups, professional cleanings, and routine care.
Taking care of your smile includes being mindful of the signs and symptoms of gum disease.
Some indications that you may have periodontal disease include:
Inflamed and red gums
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Receding gums and exposed tooth root surfaces
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
Teeth that feel loose
New spaces developing between the teeth or a change in the bite
Change in the fit of existing partial dentures
Discharge around the teeth and gums
Sharp or dull pain when biting down or chewing food
Taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory problems.
At the office of 360 Dental of Mill Creek, we emphasize the importance of prevention, early detection, and timely treatment of periodontal disease. We provide patients the guidance, support, and care required to maintain optimal periodontal health.
Gingivitis represents the initial stage of gum disease. Although it doesn’t cause overt discomfort and often goes unnoticed, there are specific signs to be aware of that indicate the start of a problem. If you notice your gums bleed when you brush, look red and inflamed, or feel a little tender, you more than likely have gingivitis.
The good news is that by treating gingivitis early, the tissue damage associated with more advanced stages of gum disease can be avoided. Despite the presence of inflammation, the overall integrity of the periodontal tissues in this stage remains intact.
Treatment instituted at this point is often sufficient to reverse the course of the disease and to avoid any permanent damage to the periodontal tissues. A series of deep dental cleanings, an improved home care regimen and a commitment to regular maintenance may be all that is required to prevent this stage of periodontal disease from progressing.
When left untreated, a case of gingivitis develops into a more advanced and damaging stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis. At this point, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down. With the progression of periodontal disease and periodontitis, more and more tissue loss ensues. Damage often includes an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. As unresolved periodontitis goes from mild to moderate to severe, it increasingly compromises the soft and hard tissues supporting the teeth.
Periodontal treatment in this phase is designed to halt the progression of the disease and to restore tooth support as possible. Treatment may involve medications to control the bacteria and reduce the size of the pockets between the teeth and gums, gum surgery, as well as bone and tissue grafts.
At the office of 360 Dental of Mill Creek, we offer personalized, state-of-the-art solutions to help you maintain healthy gums and an attractive, well-functioning smile. As skilled providers of care, we utilize leading-edge technology and treatment methods to address a broad range of periodontal conditions and needs.
Thanks to advances in care, periodontal treatment today not only helps to halt the progression of gum disease but also delivers effective solutions, including bone grafting and regenerative procedures to repair tissue damage, restore bone volume, improve cosmetics, or provide adequate support for the placement of dental implants.
The type of periodontal treatment you receive depends on several factors including the stage of periodontal disease, the extent of tissue damage, your overall oral health, existing medical conditions, and other considerations in care. After a thorough assessment of your case, we’ll discuss your options to reestablish and maintain optimal periodontal health. We welcome your questions and are always on hand to provide guidance and address your concerns.
When periodontal disease is detected early in its onset, conservative or non-surgical methods of care combined with improved hygiene routines can restore periodontal health. While periodic, professional cleanings are sufficient to maintain periodontal health in patients that do not have gum disease, once gingivitis is present, deeper cleanings and possibly other non-surgical methods of care are recommended to treat the condition.
The American Academy of Periodontology emphasizes achieving periodontal health by means of the least invasive and cost-effective treatment approaches to care. Deeper cleanings, which include Scaling and Root planing, are non-surgical procedures that are considered the first line of defense against the progression of periodontal disease.
With scaling and root planing, any plaque and tartar (hardened dental plaque) that have accumulated below the gumline are carefully removed, and then the root surfaces of the teeth are smoothed. Since periodontal disease is an inflammatory response to plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins, by simply mechanically eliminating these agents, the progression of gum disease can be halted. In addition to removing plaque and tartar with a scaling and root planing procedure, antimicrobial medication placed under the gumline or systemic medications can be used as adjuncts to care to further reduce the bacterial population.
If non-surgical approaches to managing periodontal disease do not achieve the desired outcome, surgery may be recommended to halt its progression and repair damage as possible.
When gum disease has advanced beyond the initial stage, periodontal surgery is often recommended to effectively remove bacteria and tartar from around the teeth, reduce gingival pocket depth, restore lost tissue as possible, and halt disease progression. It’s essential to keep in mind that gum disease is a progressive condition. If appropriate measures are not taken, gum disease continues to compromise the support of the teeth and have consequences to one’s overall dental health and well-being.
As untreated gingivitis evolves into more advanced stages of gum disease, periodontal pockets deepen, the bacteria become more difficult to remove, and the gaps between the surface of the teeth and gums get larger. When pocket depth increases to the point of being beyond the reach of deep cleanings and other conservative methods of care (5mm or more), gum surgery to clean and treat the damage to gums and underlying bone is typically recommended.
The good news is that with proper surgical treatment followed by improved oral hygiene, the chances of tooth loss, further damage to the bone and soft tissues supporting the teeth, and complications from health problems that are linked to periodontal disease can be decreased.
The goals of pocket reduction surgery are to accomplish the following:
Remove sub-gingival bacteria beneath the gums and from the surfaces of the roots of the teeth
Halt damage to the underlying bone, and recontour the affected hard tissues as needed
Reduce pocket depth to facilitate easier cleaning of the teeth and gums and the maintenance of optimal periodontal health
In many cases, a periodontal procedure, which is known as flap surgery, is frequently recommended. During this procedure, the gums in the affected area are reflected away from the teeth and supporting bone. Now, the pocket and roots of the teeth can be thoroughly cleaned and supporting tissues recontoured as needed. When this step gets completed, the tissue flag gets sutured back into place.
Today, in addition to conventional surgical approaches to care, dental lasers are also used to perform select periodontal procedures. When applicable, laser technology can help treat periodontitis, reduce pocket depth, address peri-implantitis, and remove or recontour gingival tissues for cosmetic purposes.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, give us a call today.
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that affects the tissues and bone that support the teeth. It begins when plaque and hardened tartar accumulate along and beneath the gumline, triggering an immune response that damages soft tissue and bone over time. Left unchecked, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and can progress without obvious pain.
Estimates indicate that roughly half of adults over age 30 have some form of periodontal disease, making regular evaluation important for most patients. At the office of 360 Dental of Mill Creek, we screen for early signs during routine visits so we can recommend appropriate preventive or therapeutic care. Early detection and timely treatment greatly improve the chance of preserving natural teeth and supporting structures.
Early stages of gum disease often produce subtle symptoms such as red, swollen, or tender gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Patients may also notice persistent bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, or increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. Because early disease can be painless, these signs should prompt an evaluation rather than being ignored.
Changes in tooth position, new gaps between teeth, and loosening teeth are signs of more advanced disease and require prompt attention. If you notice any of these symptoms, a professional periodontal assessment can determine the extent of infection and guide treatment to prevent further tissue and bone loss. Regular dental visits help identify these signs before irreversible damage occurs.
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by inflammation of the gum tissue without loss of bone or connective tissue. Common features include red, swollen gums that bleed easily, but the underlying periodontal attachment remains intact when gingivitis is treated promptly. With improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, gingivitis can typically be resolved and progression prevented.
Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated and the inflammation extends deeper, damaging the connective tissue and bone that anchor teeth. This stage involves pocket formation, gum recession, and measurable bone loss, which may lead to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss if not managed. Periodontitis requires targeted periodontal therapy to control infection and stabilize or restore supporting tissues.
Non-surgical therapy is often the first line of treatment for periodontal disease and focuses on removing bacterial deposits and controlling infection. Scaling and root planing are deep-cleaning procedures that remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooth root surfaces to discourage bacterial recolonization. Adjunctive measures may include localized antimicrobials or prescription medications to help reduce harmful bacterial levels.
These conservative approaches are effective for many patients, especially when disease is detected early, and are combined with improved home care and ongoing maintenance. After non-surgical therapy, the dental team will monitor healing, re-evaluate pocket depths, and recommend a maintenance schedule tailored to your response. If pockets remain deep or infection persists, additional periodontal treatments may be necessary.
Periodontal surgery is considered when conservative therapy cannot adequately control infection or when pocket depths and tissue destruction are too advanced for non-surgical care. The goals of surgery include reducing pocket depth, removing inaccessible bacteria and tartar, reshaping damaged bone, and creating conditions that facilitate long-term cleaning. Procedures commonly used include flap (pocket reduction) surgery, bone grafting, and guided tissue regeneration.
During flap surgery, the gums are gently reflected to allow thorough cleaning of the root surfaces and any necessary recontouring of underlying bone, then sutured back for healing. Bone and soft tissue grafts are used to restore lost volume and improve support, and these techniques can improve both function and esthetics. Postoperative follow-up and meticulous oral hygiene are essential to support healing and maintain surgical outcomes.
Modern technologies such as dental lasers and three‑dimensional imaging enhance the precision and effectiveness of periodontal care. Lasers can be used to remove diseased tissue, reduce bacterial load, and access difficult-to-reach areas with potentially less bleeding and swelling compared with some traditional techniques. Advanced imaging like CBCT and digital radiography allow clinicians to assess bone levels and anatomy more accurately when planning surgical or regenerative procedures.
These tools support more conservative and targeted treatment plans, improving the ability to preserve natural structures and plan reconstructive procedures when needed. Technology also helps clinicians monitor healing and evaluate treatment success over time, enabling adjustments to maintenance protocols that optimize long-term periodontal stability. When appropriate, your dental team will explain how specific technologies apply to your case and the expected benefits.
Research has identified associations between periodontal disease and several systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain respiratory illnesses. Chronic inflammation and bacterial spread from periodontal infections can influence systemic inflammatory markers and complicate the management of other health conditions. While periodontal disease is not the sole cause of these illnesses, maintaining periodontal health is an important component of overall wellness.
For patients with chronic medical conditions, periodontal evaluation and treatment may be particularly important to help reduce systemic inflammatory burden and support general health. Coordination between dental and medical providers ensures that treatment plans consider the whole patient, including medications and medical history. Treating and controlling gum disease can contribute positively to broader health goals and disease management.
Preparation for periodontal treatment begins with a comprehensive examination that includes medical and dental history, periodontal probing, and diagnostic imaging when indicated. Your clinician will review any medications, allergies, and medical conditions that could affect treatment or healing and provide preoperative instructions such as adjustments to oral hygiene or temporary antibiotic recommendations when clinically indicated. Clear communication about expectations, risks, and postoperative care helps ensure a smooth treatment experience.
Recovery varies with the type of procedure but commonly involves a short period of swelling, mild discomfort, and dietary modifications for a few days to a couple of weeks. Pain is typically managed with over-the-counter or prescribed medications and by following post-op instructions such as gentle oral rinses, careful brushing around treated areas, and scheduled follow-up visits. Adherence to postoperative guidance and attending maintenance appointments are important to support healing and long-term success.
Effective home care is essential to the long-term success of any periodontal treatment and includes thorough daily brushing, interdental cleaning, and use of recommended adjuncts such as antimicrobial rinses or interdental brushes. Professional periodontal maintenance visits are scheduled more frequently than standard dental cleanings and are designed to remove any subgingival deposits, monitor pocket depths, and reinforce home care techniques. Consistent maintenance helps prevent recurrence and protects the investment in restorative or regenerative procedures.
The office of 360 Dental of Mill Creek works with patients to establish individualized maintenance plans based on disease severity, response to treatment, and risk factors. These tailored schedules and follow-up visits allow clinicians to detect early signs of recurrence and intervene promptly, maximizing tooth retention and periodontal stability. Patients who commit to regular maintenance generally experience better outcomes and fewer complications over time.
Healthy periodontal tissues and adequate bone support are foundational for the long-term success of dental implants and other restorative options. Active periodontal disease must be controlled before placing implants to reduce the risk of infection around the implant (peri-implantitis) and to ensure a stable environment for osseointegration. In many cases, regenerative procedures such as bone grafting are used to rebuild lost structure and create the conditions necessary for implant placement.
Treatment planning for tooth replacement often involves a multidisciplinary approach that sequences periodontal therapy, any needed grafting, and implant or prosthetic placement to achieve the best functional and esthetic results. Maintaining periodontal health after restoration is equally important and requires ongoing home care and professional maintenance. Your dental team will outline the recommended timeline and procedures to safely restore missing teeth while protecting long-term oral health.
