Gum Disease Treatment in Fresno, CA
Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums are often the first signs of gum disease. At Milburn Dental, our team checks the health of your gums at every exam and offers gum disease treatment in Fresno, including deep cleaning when it is needed, to help keep your gums and teeth healthy.
Milburn Dental
6721 N Milburn Ave Ste 101
Fresno, CA 93722
Phone: (559) 825-0990
Request an appointment online or call (559) 825-0990.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that support your teeth. It usually starts when plaque and tartar build up along and below the gumline.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Gums may look red, feel tender, or bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, the changes can often be reversed with professional cleaning and better home care.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis. The gums can pull away from the teeth and form pockets, and the bone that supports the teeth can be lost over time. Bone loss caused by periodontitis is not reversible, which is why early treatment matters.
Signs of Gum Disease
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bad breath that does not go away
- Gums that are pulling back from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
- Changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite
Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, so regular dental exams are important even if you feel fine.
How We Check Your Gums
During an exam, your dentist or hygienist measures the space between your gums and teeth, looks for bleeding and inflammation, and reviews dental X-rays to check the bone around your teeth. These findings help determine whether you need a routine cleaning or more focused treatment.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Professional Cleaning
For early gum inflammation, a thorough professional cleaning combined with better daily brushing and flossing may be enough to bring the gums back to health.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
When gum disease has created deeper pockets, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. Tartar and bacteria are removed from below the gumline, and the root surfaces are smoothed to help the gums heal. The area is numbed for comfort.
Periodontal Maintenance
After a deep cleaning, many patients need more frequent maintenance visits to keep gum disease under control. Your dentist will recommend a schedule based on how your gums respond.
Referral to a Specialist
Advanced gum disease may need care from a periodontist, a specialist in the gums and supporting bone. If that is the case, our team will explain why and help coordinate your care.
Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
Gum disease affects more than your mouth. Research has linked it with other health conditions, including diabetes. Let your dentist know about your medical history and medications, as some conditions and medicines can affect your gums.
How to Help Prevent Gum Disease
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between your teeth every day
- Avoid tobacco
- Keep regular checkups and cleanings
- Tell your dentist if your gums bleed or feel sore
Learn more about oral hygiene education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease Treatment in Fresno
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums are a common sign of gum inflammation, often caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. Have your gums checked if bleeding continues for more than a week or two.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, the early stage, can often be reversed with professional cleaning and good home care. Bone loss from periodontitis cannot be reversed, but treatment can help control the disease and protect your teeth.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and slightly below the gumline. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, reaches deeper below the gumline to treat pockets caused by gum disease.
Does a deep cleaning hurt?
The area is numbed before treatment, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some tenderness afterward is normal and usually improves within a few days.
How often do I need cleanings if I have gum disease?
Patients with a history of gum disease often need more frequent maintenance visits than a typical routine schedule. Your dentist will recommend what is right for you.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Yes. Advanced gum disease can damage the bone that holds teeth in place and may lead to loose teeth or tooth loss if it is not treated.
Schedule a Gum Health Exam in Fresno
Milburn Dental
6721 N Milburn Ave Ste 101
Fresno, CA 93722
Phone: (559) 825-0990
Request an appointment online or call (559) 825-0990.