Periodontal Treatment

Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. 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.

You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.

In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.

Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, 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, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.

If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.

In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.

Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.

The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.

By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.

At the office of Dodson Brothers Dentistry, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.

Periodontal disease refers to infections and inflammatory conditions that affect the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, including the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. It typically begins as gingivitis, a reversible inflammation of the gum tissue, and can progress to periodontitis when bacterial infection leads to destruction of the tissues that hold teeth in place. Because early stages often cause minimal discomfort, many people are unaware of a problem until routine examination reveals signs of disease.

Left untreated, periodontitis can result in gum recession, increased tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss, as well as persistent oral inflammation that can complicate overall health. The goal of periodontal care is to arrest infection, reduce pocket depths, and restore a maintainable environment around the teeth. A combination of professional treatment and improved daily oral hygiene usually produces the best long-term results.

Common warning signs include red, swollen, or tender gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing, which are classic indicators of inflammation. Patients may also notice persistent bad breath, increasing tooth sensitivity, gum recession that makes teeth appear longer, or a feeling that teeth are shifting or becoming loose. Any discharge from the gums, soreness when chewing, or a change in how dentures fit should prompt a periodontal evaluation.

Because early disease can be subtle, regular dental exams are important even when symptoms seem mild or intermittent. Your dental team can perform periodontal probing and radiographic assessment to detect hidden pocketing or bone loss and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Timely attention increases the likelihood of resolving disease with less invasive care.

Periodontal disease is caused primarily by bacterial biofilm (plaque) that accumulates at and below the gum line, provoking an inflammatory response in susceptible individuals. Risk factors that increase susceptibility include smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, certain medications that alter saliva or gum tissue, genetic predisposition, and conditions that impair immune response. Hormonal changes, stress, and inadequate oral hygiene can also contribute to disease progression.

Because risk varies among individuals, periodontal assessment includes a review of medical history and lifestyle factors in addition to clinical findings. Identifying and addressing modifiable risks—such as quitting tobacco, improving glycemic control, or adjusting oral hygiene—strengthens the effectiveness of clinical therapies and helps prevent recurrence.

Diagnosis begins with a thorough clinical examination that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, charting gum recession, and assessing mobility and bleeding on probing. Dental radiographs are used to evaluate bone levels and detect patterns of bone loss that may not be visible clinically. Together these findings help determine the stage and severity of periodontitis and guide treatment decisions.

Additional diagnostic tools can include plaque and calculus evaluation, assessment of occlusal forces, and review of systemic health factors that influence healing. The dental team will explain findings, document baseline measurements, and discuss a personalized plan that outlines anticipated goals and follow-up intervals.

Non-surgical therapy is often the first line of treatment and focuses on removing the bacterial irritants that drive inflammation. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) removes plaque and hardened deposits from below the gum line and smooths root surfaces to discourage bacterial recolonization. These procedures are typically performed with local anesthesia as needed and are followed by reinstruction in brushing and interdental cleaning techniques.

Adjunctive measures may include localized antimicrobial agents placed under the gums, short courses of systemic medication in selected cases, or use of host-modulation therapies when clinically warranted. After initial therapy, the response is re-evaluated and a maintenance schedule is established to preserve improvements and prevent relapse.

Surgical or regenerative approaches are considered when pocket depths, tissue anatomy, or bone defects limit the effectiveness of non-surgical care. Surgical access enables thorough debridement of root surfaces, recontouring of tissues, and placement of grafts or membranes to encourage bone and connective tissue regeneration where appropriate. Procedures such as flap surgery, bone grafting, and connective tissue grafts are selected based on the specific clinical situation and patient goals.

These interventions aim to reduce pocket depths, restore a more maintainable tissue architecture, and improve both function and appearance when indicated. Postoperative care and a structured periodontal maintenance program are critical to protect the results and minimize the risk of recurrence.

Effective home care is essential before, during, and after periodontal treatment because long-term success depends on controlling bacterial biofilm at the gum line. Daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes, and use of adjunctive rinses when recommended help keep plaque levels low and support healing after professional therapy. The dental team can demonstrate technique and recommend tools tailored to your anatomy and dexterity.

Regularly scheduled periodontal maintenance visits reinforce home care, allow early detection of changes, and provide professional cleaning to remove deposits that cannot be removed at home. Commitment to this partnership between patient and clinician substantially reduces the likelihood of disease progression and the need for more invasive procedures.

Research shows associations between periodontal inflammation and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness, although the exact causal pathways are complex and still under study. Chronic oral inflammation can contribute to a systemic inflammatory burden and may complicate management of other health conditions, particularly when those conditions affect immune function or healing. For patients with diabetes, for example, improved periodontal health can support better glycemic control.

Because oral and overall health are interconnected, periodontal evaluation and treatment are important components of comprehensive care. Your dental team will review your medical history, coordinate with other healthcare providers when needed, and recommend strategies that support both oral and systemic well-being.

Recovery varies by procedure: non-surgical therapy often produces minimal downtime with some soreness and sensitivity that resolves within days, while surgical or regenerative treatments may involve more discomfort, swelling, and a longer healing period measured in weeks. Your clinician will provide specific postoperative instructions, including pain management, oral hygiene modifications, dietary recommendations, and signs of complications to watch for. Following these instructions closely supports predictable healing.

Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor healing, remove sutures if present, and assess tissue response. Over time, the goal is to achieve stable periodontal measurements and a maintenance routine that preserves the outcome and prevents disease recurrence.

If you have concerns about bleeding gums, loose teeth, persistent bad breath, or other signs of periodontal disease, scheduling a periodontal evaluation is an appropriate next step. Call Dodson Brothers Dentistry at (808) 214-9488 or request an appointment through the office to arrange an exam and diagnostic assessment. During the visit, the dental team will perform a periodontal charting, review your medical history, and discuss a customized treatment and maintenance plan.

Early evaluation increases the likelihood of controlling disease with conservative measures and helps preserve long-term oral function and appearance. If you are uncertain whether symptoms warrant an appointment, the office staff can help prioritize care based on your concerns and clinical needs.