Periodontal Treatment in Greeley, CO
If you notice that your gums look bright red, are tender, swollen, or bleed while you’re brushing your teeth, then you may have gingivitis. If it isn’t treated, then gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease.
This dental disease is destructive, but fortunately, it is treatable while it’s in the beginning stage of the disease. Find out about periodontal treatment for gingivitis before it does irreversible damage.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
The same bacteria that can cause tooth decay can cause periodontal disease. However, periodontal disease is much more destructive than tooth decay as it causes the gums to recede, creating pockets along the gum line where bacteria can hide and continue to eat away at your gums and teeth. It can get down into the jawbone and destroy it as well.
Treating Gingivitis to Prevent Periodontitis
Recognizing gingivitis isn’t always easy because many of the symptoms can mimic other problems. For instance, if your gums are bleeding while brushing your teeth, then you could simply be brushing too hard. However, if you also have bad breath, swollen, or tender gums, then you should consult with our dentist at Affordable Dental Clinics in Greeley, CO.
The best treatment for gingivitis is good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss your teeth correctly, and make visits to our dentists at least twice a year.
Our dentist near you in Greeley, CO may do a cleaning that is known as scaling and root planing. It removes all plaque and tartar from the teeth to prevent damage to the teeth and gums.
Stage One of Periodontitis
It isn’t so difficult to tell when gingivitis has advanced to stage one of periodontitis. You will observe that the gums have receded from your teeth, and they are starting to form deeper pockets around them.
Healthy teeth have pockets that measure about one to two millimeters deep. Dr. Brown at Affordable Dental Clinics will use a periodontal probe to measure the pockets. During the gingivitis stage, then the pockets may be two to four millimeters deep.
In the early stages of periodontitis, then the pockets may measure five millimeters, and early bone loss can occur. Before it gets out of control, see our dentist in Greeley, CO to treat and reverse gingivitis.
FAQs
Periodontal treatment is used to control infection in the gums and the bone supporting your teeth. It becomes necessary when you notice bleeding, swelling, or deeper gum pockets. Treating it early helps protect the structures that keep your teeth stable.
You may be advised to start periodontal treatment when gum measurements show deeper pockets or signs of bone changes. We review these findings using exams and imaging to decide the most appropriate level of care.
Early changes often include gums that bleed easily, appear darker or swollen, or feel tender. You might also notice a persistent odor. These signs usually develop gradually and should be evaluated before they worsen.
A routine cleaning focuses on surface buildup, while periodontal care targets bacteria beneath the gumline. This deeper approach is needed when the infection has moved below the visible areas around the teeth.
The area is numbed during treatment, so you should remain comfortable. Afterward, the gums may feel sensitive as they begin to heal. We guide you on how to manage this and keep the area clean.
In early stages, gum inflammation can often settle once the infection is controlled. If the condition has progressed further, treatment focuses on slowing damage and maintaining the remaining support.
The timeline depends on how advanced the condition is. Some cases are managed in a single visit, while others require staged care across multiple appointments with follow-up monitoring.
Without treatment, infection can affect the bone that holds your teeth in place. Over time, this may lead to looseness or tooth loss. Addressing it early helps limit these long-term effects.
Maintaining results involves regular cleanings, careful brushing and flossing, and ongoing checks of gum depth. Consistent care helps keep bacteria under control and reduces the chance of recurrence.
A periodontist in Greeley, CO, may be involved when gum disease has progressed and requires more advanced management. This can include deeper cleaning methods or specialized procedures, depending on how the gums and bone respond to initial treatment.
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