Periodontal Disease Treatment (Gum Disease)
Gum disease is a common but serious condition that can impact anyone. We provide comprehensive periodontal care, including advanced laser gum therapy, to treat every stage of gum disease and help restore your oral health.
Gum Disease Treatment in Wichita, KS
Periodontal disease—also called gum disease or periodontitis—is an infection of the gums and bone that support your teeth. When food and plaque get trapped around the gums, it can cause inflammation and infection, threatening the stability of your tooth roots. Gingivitis, the earliest stage, often shows as redness, swelling, or light bleeding. Without treatment, it can progress to periodontal disease, leading to permanent damage.
Although common, gum disease is largely preventable. Poor oral hygiene, such as infrequent brushing, flossing, or dental visits, is the main cause. With consistent care and regular checkups at Humlicek Family Dental, you can protect your gums and prevent gum disease before it becomes serious.
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What causes gum disease?
Gum disease usually develops in three forms. The most common, chronic periodontitis, results from poor oral hygiene as plaque hardens into tartar, leading to gum inflammation and bone loss if not professionally treated. Aggressive periodontitis, seen more rarely and often linked to genetics, progresses quickly and can even affect children. The rarest type, necrotizing periodontal disease, occurs in people with immune disorders or chronic illness, where reduced blood flow damages gum tissue and bone.
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What are the signs of periodontal disease or gum disease?
The earliest sign of gum disease is irritation or bleeding along the gum line when brushing, flossing, or during a cleaning. Without treatment, gums recede and form periodontal pockets that trap bacteria. Dentists measure these pockets to assess severity. If infection spreads to the jawbone, bone loss and tooth loss may occur.
Common symptoms include gum recession, longer-looking teeth, loose or sore teeth, spaces between teeth, deep gum pockets, visible bone loss on X-rays, tartar buildup, bad breath, and bleeding or swollen gums. Tobacco users may not show obvious signs like bleeding, even when disease is present.
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How does a dentist test for gum disease?
Catching gum disease early is key to preventing tooth and bone loss. To diagnose periodontitis and its severity, we review your medical history, check for plaque, tartar, and bleeding gums, measure pocket depth with a probe (1–3 mm is healthy, while 3–10 mm indicates increasing stages of disease), and take dental X-rays to detect bone loss.
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How is periodontal disease or gum disease treated?
Scaling and root planing is the standard treatment for early to moderate periodontitis. The dentist cleans below the gum line to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria, then smooths the tooth roots to discourage buildup. This allows the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth, reversing much of the damage.
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What is gum recession?
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue gradually pulls back or wears away, exposing more of the tooth or its root. This condition can cause tooth sensitivity, increase the risk of cavities on the exposed roots, and, if left untreated, may lead to gum disease or even tooth loss. It is often linked to factors like aggressive brushing, poor oral hygiene, smoking, or periodontal disease. Regular dental checkups can help detect gum recession early and prevent further damage.
Questions about gum disease?
If you’d like to learn more about gum disease treatment, reach out to us or schedule an appointment using the links below. You can also explore the full range of dental services we offer.
