Restorative Dentistry

Periodontics

IN EVERETT, WA

Prevention, treatment and management of gum disease.

The leading cause of adult tooth loss

Gum disease begins as gingivitis — inflammation caused by plaque bacteria at the gum line. At this stage it is reversible, and often the only sign is bleeding when brushing or flossing.

Left untreated it progresses to periodontitis, where the supporting bone begins to be lost. That bone does not grow back on its own, and it is bone loss rather than the teeth themselves that ultimately costs people their teeth.

Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, and it is usually painless until it is advanced — which is precisely why it goes unnoticed. Gingivitis, the early stage, is inflammation at the gum line and is fully reversible with proper cleaning. Periodontitis, the later stage, destroys the bone that holds the teeth in, and that bone does not grow back on its own.

This is why every cleaning here includes measuring the pockets around each tooth rather than just polishing. Those numbers are the evidence: they show whether the disease is stable, improving or advancing, long before you would feel anything. Catching the shift from three millimetres to five is the difference between a deep cleaning and losing a tooth.

Signs of gum disease to take seriously

  • Gums that bleed when you brush or floss, or that look red and puffy rather than firm and pink.
  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that does not clear.
  • Gums pulling back, so teeth look longer or a dark space appears between them.
  • A tooth that has loosened or moved, or a bite that suddenly feels different.

What to expect

Treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed.

  1. 1 Measure We chart pocket depths around every tooth and compare against your history to see what is changing.
  2. 2 Treat Early disease often responds to thorough cleaning and improved home care. Deeper pockets may need scaling and root planing.
  3. 3 Maintain More frequent hygiene visits keep it stable. Periodontal disease is managed rather than cured.

What you can control

Daily cleaning between the teeth matters more here than anything else — brushing alone does not reach where this disease starts. Smoking substantially worsens both the disease and how well it responds to treatment. Diabetes and gum disease each make the other harder to control, so tell us if you are diabetic.

Common questions about periodontics

Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, yes — completely, with thorough cleaning and better daily technique. Periodontitis cannot be reversed because lost bone does not regrow, but it can be halted and managed so you keep your teeth. The earlier it is caught, the more there is left to protect.
What is scaling and root planing?
A deep cleaning of the root surfaces inside the gum pockets, done under local anesthetic, usually over one or two visits. It removes the bacterial deposits that ordinary cleaning cannot reach and lets the inflamed tissue reattach.
Does gum disease affect the rest of my health?
There is well-documented association with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The relationship with diabetes runs both ways — uncontrolled blood sugar worsens gum disease and gum inflammation makes blood sugar harder to control.
Why do I need cleanings every three months?
Once periodontitis has been treated, the pockets that remain repopulate with bacteria faster than healthy tissue does. A three-month interval keeps that under control. It is maintenance of a treated condition, not an upsell.
Will I lose my teeth?
Not if it is caught and managed. Most people who lose teeth to gum disease did not know they had it until it was advanced. With treatment and consistent maintenance, the great majority keep their teeth.

Questions about periodontics?

We'll walk you through the options, the costs, and what to expect.

Madison Street Dental Clinic serves Everett and the surrounding communities of Marysville, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Lynnwood and Bothell.

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