How Do Dentists Treat Gum Disease?

While most Americans are well aware of the dangers of tooth decay, gum disease is a silent yet common disease. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss, bone damage, and even affect your overall health. Luckily, when caught early, gum disease can be easily treated by your go-to dentist in Kew Gardens, NY.

But how exactly do dentists treat gum disease? There’s more than one method, and here you can learn what to expect.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums and tissues that support your teeth. It typically starts as gingivitis, which causes red, swollen, and bleeding gums, but if left unaddressed, it can progress to periodontitis, a more advanced form that affects the bone and can lead to tooth loss.

Good flossing habits and early treatment are key to preventing long-term damage, which is why routine dental checkups are essential. Still, if disease occurs, some common treatment stages include:

Step 1: Diagnosis and Gum Health Assessment

Your first step in treating gum disease is a thorough dental evaluation. Whether during a routine check-up or a dental cleaning, a dental professional will conduct a detailed examination of your gums. If they suspect the gums are irritated, they may perform periodontal charting, a procedure that measures pocket depth around the teeth.

Digital X-rays may also be taken to check bone health. This allows us to determine the stage of gum disease and recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Step 2: Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatments

For early to moderate gum disease, dentists typically recommend non-surgical procedures that focus on deep cleaning and infection control. There are two main non-surgical options:

Scaling and Root Planing

This is the most common first-line treatment. Your dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline (scaling), then smooths the tooth roots to help the gums reattach (root planing). This reduces inflammation, giving your gums a chance to heal.

Antibacterial Therapy

In some cases, your dentist may apply a localized antibiotic gel or prescribe mouth rinses to eliminate infection-causing bacteria.

Laser Gum Therapy

Some modern dental offices utilize laser technology to target and remove infected tissue, resulting in less discomfort and faster healing times. This can be a great alternative for patients anxious about traditional methods.

Step 3: Surgical Options for Advanced Gum Disease

If the disease has progressed beyond what non-invasive methods can treat, surgical options may be necessary. When the periodontal pockets around the gums have become too deep, dentists may perform a procedure known as flap surgery. During this procedure, the dentist lifts the gums to clean deeper areas of infection and repositions the tissue to reduce pocket depth.

If gum recession has occurred, a graft can restore protective gum tissue over exposed roots.

Step 4: Maintenance and Prevention

Once your gum disease is under control, maintaining your results is critical. Periodontitis is a recurring disease—which means it can easily recur without proper hygiene habits. To prevent that, we typically recommend:

• More frequent cleanings (every 3–4 months)
• ‍Improved at-home care by brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and antibacterial rinses
• Quitting smoking, if necessary. Smoking worsens gum disease and delays healing.

Depending on your smile and your daily habits, your dentist will tailor a periodontal maintenance schedule to keep your gums healthy for life.

Treat Gum Disease Early with a Reliable Dentist in Kew Gardens, NY

If your gums bleed when you brush, feel swollen, or you notice bad breath that won’t go away, don’t ignore the signs. Gum disease won’t go away on its own—but it can be treated effectively with help from a trusted dental professional.

At Kew Gardens Dental Arts, we combine compassionate care with advanced periodontal techniques to help you regain control of your oral health. Contact our friendly team today to schedule a gum health evaluation!