Gum Disease Diagnosis & Treatment in Campus Drive Suite
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other health concerns. At G Dental Group, we help patients throughout Daly City recognize the early warning signs of gum disease and restore healthy gums with gentle, effective treatment. The sooner gum disease is addressed, the easier it is to reverse or control.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along and beneath the gumline. If plaque isn’t removed through daily brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, it hardens into tartar and irritates the gums, triggering inflammation and infection.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the earliest stage. Gums may look red, feel tender, and bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, the damage is usually reversible with professional care and better home hygiene.
Periodontitis develops when gingivitis is left untreated. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that collect bacteria. Over time, the infection can destroy the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.
Advanced periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen, shift, or fall out, and often requires more extensive treatment or specialist care through our periodontist referral network.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, or eating
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Receding gums or teeth that look longer than before
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Loose or shifting teeth, or changes in your bite
- Increased tooth sensitivity near the gumline
- Sores or pus between the teeth and gums
Risk Factors
Smoking and tobacco use, diabetes, hormonal changes, certain medications, genetics, stress, poor nutrition, and teeth grinding can all increase your risk of gum disease. Crowded or crooked teeth can also make it harder to clean plaque from every surface.
How We Treat Gum Disease
Treatment at our office is tailored to the stage of your condition. Many patients start with a thorough professional cleaning as part of our preventive care program. For deeper pockets, we perform scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar below the gumline and smooths root surfaces so the gums can reattach. Learn more on our gum treatment page. We may also use laser dentistry to remove infected tissue with less bleeding and faster healing.
If gum disease has already caused tooth loss, we can restore your smile with dental implants, bridges, or dentures once your gums are healthy.
Keeping Your Gums Healthy
Brush twice daily, floss every day, avoid tobacco, and keep up with routine cleanings. Patients who have been treated for periodontitis often benefit from more frequent maintenance visits to keep the infection under control.
Gum Disease FAQs
What is the first sign of gum disease?
Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is often the first sign of gum disease. Red, puffy, or tender gums are also common early warning signs of gingivitis.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can usually be reversed with professional cleanings and good home care. Periodontitis can’t be fully reversed, but it can be controlled with treatment and maintenance.
Is gum disease contagious?
The bacteria that contribute to gum disease can be passed through saliva, but whether someone develops gum disease depends on their oral hygiene, health, and other risk factors.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal and reattach to the teeth.
Does gum disease affect overall health?
Research has linked gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Keeping your gums healthy supports both your oral and overall health.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes. Advanced gum disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support your teeth, causing them to loosen and eventually fall out.
Where can I get gum disease treatment in Daly City?
G Dental Group in Daly City, CA treats gum disease at every stage. Call (650) 991-7055 to schedule an evaluation.
Protect Your Gums and Your Smile
Don’t ignore bleeding or tender gums. Contact G Dental Group at (650) 991-7055 to schedule a periodontal evaluation in Daly City.