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 Judy Mejido, DMD, PA, 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 is an infection of the structures that support the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and jawbone, caused by bacteria in dental plaque. It ranges from mild inflammation to advanced destruction of supporting tissues when left untreated. The condition is chronic and can progress slowly without obvious pain, which is why early detection is important.

Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of periodontal disease and is characterized primarily by gum inflammation without permanent bone loss. If gingivitis is treated with improved home care and professional cleanings, the tissues usually recover. When inflammation advances beyond gingivitis into periodontitis, more intensive clinical therapy is required to control damage and preserve teeth.

The primary cause of gum disease is the buildup of bacterial plaque on tooth surfaces and along the gumline, which elicits an inflammatory response in the periodontium. Over time, plaque can harden into calculus and shelter bacteria that are difficult to remove with routine brushing. Host factors such as genetics, smoking and uncontrolled diabetes increase susceptibility and can accelerate progression.

Additional contributors include certain medications, hormonal changes, poor oral hygiene and conditions that reduce saliva flow or alter the immune response. Together, these factors affect how the body responds to bacterial challenge and determine the course of the disease. Addressing modifiable risks is an important part of any periodontal care plan.

Common warning signs include gums that bleed when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste, swelling or tenderness, and gums that appear red or darker than normal. You may also notice gum recession with exposed tooth roots, increased tooth sensitivity, or teeth that feel mobile or have shifted position. Any new changes in bite, gaps between teeth, or pus near the gumline warrant prompt attention.

Because early stages can be painless, routine dental visits remain the most reliable way to detect disease before it advances. If you experience any of these symptoms, a comprehensive periodontal evaluation can determine the cause and allow timely intervention. Early treatment improves the likelihood of preserving natural teeth and returning tissues to health.

Diagnosis begins with a clinical examination that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, checking for bleeding on probing, and assessing gum attachment and mobility. Dental radiographs are often taken to evaluate bone levels and detect areas of bone loss that are not visible during the exam. A complete medical and dental history is also reviewed to identify risk factors that influence disease progression and treatment choices.

Together, these findings allow the clinician to stage the condition and recommend an individualized treatment plan. Periodontal charting and images provide a baseline for monitoring response to therapy and guiding maintenance intervals. Clear communication about findings and goals helps patients make informed decisions about their care.

Non-surgical therapy typically begins with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to discourage reattachment of bacteria. This approach is often combined with improved oral hygiene instruction and more frequent professional cleanings to support healing. In some cases, locally delivered antimicrobials are placed into periodontal pockets to reduce bacterial levels and promote tissue recovery.

Adjunctive systemic antibiotics may be considered in selected situations based on the severity and type of infection, but treatment is tailored to each patient’s health history and clinical presentation. After initial therapy, the team reassesses pocket depths and tissue response to determine whether additional care is needed. Many patients achieve stable results with non-surgical therapy followed by a maintenance schedule.

Surgical or regenerative procedures are recommended when non-surgical therapy does not sufficiently reduce pocket depths or when significant bone loss and tissue destruction are present. Common surgical options include flap surgery to gain access for thorough debridement and reshape bone contours, and regenerative techniques such as bone grafts or guided tissue regeneration to encourage the recovery of lost supporting structures. Soft-tissue grafts may also be performed to cover exposed roots and improve esthetics and function.

The goals of surgical treatment are to eliminate bacterial reservoirs, reduce pocket depths to a manageable level for daily care, and restore as much supporting structure as possible. Case selection, patient health, and treatment objectives guide the choice of procedure. A detailed discussion about expected outcomes and maintenance needs is an essential part of planning surgical care.

Dental lasers are used in some periodontal procedures to remove diseased soft tissue, reduce bacterial populations, and promote a cleaner surgical field with minimal bleeding. As an adjunct to conventional therapy, lasers can assist with pocket decontamination and precise tissue management in select cases. Their use may enhance patient comfort and support healing when applied appropriately by a trained clinician.

Laser therapy is not a universal substitute for scaling, root planing or surgical access, and clinical judgment determines when it is beneficial. Patients should discuss laser options with their clinician to understand the potential advantages and limitations for their specific condition. The choice of technology is always integrated into a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan.

Periodontal maintenance refers to a customized schedule of professional cleanings and examinations after active treatment, typically occurring more frequently than routine prophylaxis. These visits include careful removal of plaque and calculus, monitoring of pocket depths and attachment levels, and reinforcement of home care techniques. Maintenance appointments are designed to detect early signs of recurrence and to intervene before disease progression resumes.

Long-term success depends on adherence to the maintenance plan because periodontal disease is chronic and can recur without ongoing control. The maintenance interval is individualized based on disease severity, response to therapy and risk factors. Consistent follow-up helps protect the results achieved during active treatment and preserves oral health over time.

Effective home care is a cornerstone of periodontal therapy and includes thorough brushing twice daily, daily interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes, and use of any prescribed antimicrobial rinses or local aids. Controlling systemic risk factors such as smoking and unmanaged diabetes significantly improves treatment outcomes, so addressing these issues with appropriate healthcare providers is important. Proper nutrition, adequate hydration and avoiding habits that damage gums also support healing and long-term health.

Open communication with your dental team helps ensure home care techniques are taught and reinforced according to your needs. Bringing questions or concerns to scheduled appointments allows the team to adjust recommendations and provide hands-on coaching. For personalized guidance, consult with your clinician at Judy Mejido, DMD, PA so your home routine complements clinical care.

Research shows associations between periodontal inflammation and several systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes management and adverse pregnancy outcomes, likely related to chronic bacterial exposure and inflammatory mediators. While causal pathways remain an area of active study, controlling periodontal infection reduces the oral bacterial burden and helps limit chronic inflammation that can influence overall well-being. Maintaining healthy gums contributes to better oral function, nutrition and quality of life.

Because oral and systemic health are interconnected, comprehensive care that addresses both local periodontal issues and broader health factors produces the best outcomes. Your dental team can coordinate with medical providers when relevant to ensure care plans reflect your overall health status. At Judy Mejido, DMD, PA we emphasize prevention, early intervention and collaboration to protect both oral and systemic health.