Q: My gums sometimes bleed. Do I have gum disease?
A: If you have bleeding gums, you probably have some type of gum disease. Similarly, if your gums are sore there may be a problem. The best way to find out is to visit your dentist for a complete evaluation. So while bleeding gums can be due to gingivitis, which can easily be cured with scaling and better oral hygiene, it can sometimes be a sign of periodontitis which is much more serious.

Q: What's the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
A: Gingivitis and periodontitis are two types of gum disease, representing the early and advanced stages. In the early stages, gum disease manifests as bleeding gums which may be red and swollen. This is called gingivitis, and can be reversed with regular dental cleaning and good oral hygiene practice.
Without proper care, gingivitis can lead to advanced gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause not only bleeding, but more serious problems like gum recession, loose teeth and even tooth loss. The cure for this advanced type of gum infection usually involves a combination of a scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment along with regular dental visits and excellent oral hygiene.

Q: I always brush and floss. Why do I have gum disease?
A: While gum diseases are often the result of NOT brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist regularly, there can also be other factors involved such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, pregnancy, smoking, poorly fitting crowns or bridges.

Q: What is a scaling and root planing?
A: Scaling and root planing are the most common types of gum disease treatment for periodontal disease (aka periodontitis). It is considered a conservative gum treatment because it requires no surgery. Instead, a scaling and root planing treatment for gum disease involves the use of ultrasonic scalers as well as hand instruments. They are used to remove deposits of plaque and tartar (calculus) near the crown and gum line, as well as to remove any deposit on the root surface, and to smooth the surface of the root.

Q: Is surgery involved in the treatment of gum disease?
A: Surgical gum treatment may be recommended if the disease can't be repaired with non-surgical gum treatment alone. There are four basic types of surgical gum treatments: 1) pocket reduction procedures; 2) regenerative procedures; 3) crown lengthening procedures; and 4) soft tissue grafts.