13180 Westpark Dr, Ste 106, Houston, TX 77082
Did you know that gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly half of all adults over 30 in the United States show signs of periodontal disease. The condition is largely preventable, and early attention can preserve both oral health and overall well-being. At Park West Dental, we provide a full range of services to help patients protect and restore healthy gums so their smiles look, feel, and function their best.
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that affects the periodontium — the gums, ligaments, and bone that support your teeth. It starts when bacteria in dental plaque irritate the soft tissues, producing inflammation that, over time, can destroy the structures that keep teeth secure. Left unchecked, this process can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and ultimately tooth mobility or loss.
One of the challenges with periodontal disease is that it often progresses without obvious pain. Early stages can be subtle: gums may look slightly swollen or bleed occasionally, and many people assume these signs are normal. Regular dental exams and periodontal evaluations catch changes before they become irreversible, making prevention and early treatment essential.
Understanding the mechanics of the disease helps patients make better daily choices. Brushing and flossing reduce plaque buildup; professional cleanings remove hardened deposits; and targeted treatments eliminate bacteria in deeper gum pockets. Together, these actions interrupt the cycle of infection and inflammation and help protect long-term oral health.
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Bleeding during brushing or flossing
Notable gum recession or roots becoming exposed
Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
Teeth feeling loose or shifting position
Changes in how partial dentures fit or unexpected gaps appearing between teeth
Discharge or pus from the gumline
Discomfort when biting or chewing
Healthy gums do more than anchor teeth — they also contribute to overall health. Research continues to show links between periodontal disease and a number of systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain respiratory illnesses. While gum disease does not cause these conditions directly, chronic oral inflammation can complicate other health concerns and influence outcomes.
Because the mouth is a gateway to the body, controlling oral infection lowers the burden of inflammation circulating in the system. That’s why our team places a strong emphasis on prevention, early detection, and coordinated care with patients’ medical providers when appropriate. Routine dental visits provide opportunities to identify risks and intervene before small problems become larger.
Practical steps — such as maintaining consistent at-home hygiene, attending scheduled periodontal maintenance, and addressing risk factors like tobacco use or uncontrolled blood sugar — make a measurable difference. Education and partnership with your dental team are key to sustaining results over the long term.
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible stage of gum disease. It is driven by plaque and bacterial irritation but, crucially, the supporting bone and connective tissues have not yet been permanently damaged. Common signs include gum redness, mild swelling, and bleeding during routine cleaning. Because gingivitis is often painless, many people delay care until the condition progresses.
The encouraging aspect of gingivitis is that it responds well to simple interventions. A combination of professional deep cleanings, an improved home care routine, and regular follow-up can resolve the inflammation and restore healthy gum tissue. When caught and managed early, gingivitis rarely progresses to more severe forms of periodontal disease.
Patients play an active role in reversing gingivitis: consistent brushing with effective technique, daily interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes, and tailored oral hygiene recommendations from a clinician all contribute to recovery. Ongoing maintenance visits ensure that improvements are sustained and that any recurrent issues are addressed promptly.
If gingivitis is not managed, it can progress to periodontitis, a stage where the inflammation begins to destroy the connective tissue and bone that support teeth. As the disease advances, periodontal pockets deepen, bone levels drop, and the teeth may loosen or migrate. These changes can affect chewing, speech, and the overall appearance of the smile.
Treatment for periodontitis focuses on halting destruction and restoring a stable environment for the teeth. The approach may include non-surgical therapies to remove bacterial deposits and reduce pocket depth, adjunctive antimicrobial strategies, and, when necessary, surgical procedures to clean root surfaces, reshape tissues, or regenerate lost bone and gum tissue.
Modern techniques and materials allow clinicians to address both function and aesthetics. Regenerative procedures, such as bone grafting or guided tissue regeneration, aim to rebuild lost support where possible. The overall goal is to stop disease activity, reestablish a healthy attachment level, and create a situation patients can maintain with daily care and professional monitoring.
Selecting the right treatment begins with a thorough periodontal assessment that considers pocket depth, tissue attachment, bone levels, overall oral health, and any relevant medical history. From there, clinicians recommend a plan tailored to the stage and pattern of disease. Patient education, motivation, and follow-up are integral components of any successful program.
Non-surgical therapy is often the first step. Scaling and root planing — precise removal of plaque and calculus from beneath the gumline and smoothing of root surfaces — reduces bacterial load and allows inflamed tissues to heal. In many cases, this approach, combined with improved home care and regular maintenance, puts the condition into remission.
When deeper infection or significant tissue loss is present, surgical options may be necessary to gain access to root surfaces, reduce pocket depth, and restore form where possible. Flap procedures, pocket reduction surgeries, and laser-assisted treatments are among the options clinicians may consider. After active therapy, a customized maintenance schedule is critical to preserve outcomes and prevent recurrence.
When caught early, gum disease is often managed effectively with minimally invasive methods. Scaling and root planing remove subgingival plaque and calculus to reduce inflammation and allow healing. Antimicrobial agents or localized medications can be used as adjuncts to enhance bacterial control and support recovery.
These conservative approaches align with professional guidelines that favor the least invasive, most predictable options first. With proper follow-up, many patients regain stable periodontal health without the need for surgical intervention.
A successful non-surgical program includes patient adherence to improved daily oral hygiene and scheduled periodontal maintenance visits to monitor and manage any re-accumulation of bacterial deposits.
When pockets are too deep for non-surgical therapy or when there is significant bone loss, surgical intervention may be indicated. Procedures such as flap surgery enable direct visualization and cleaning of root surfaces and allow clinicians to reshape tissues for better long-term care.
Regenerative techniques — including bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration — aim to rebuild supporting structures where feasible, improving both stability and the appearance of the smile. Surgical care is always followed by a focused plan for healing and maintenance.
Contemporary options may also include laser-assisted therapies for select cases, which can reduce bacteria, manage diseased tissue, and support less invasive recovery when appropriate.
Effective periodontal care is a team effort. Clinicians bring expertise and clinical tools; patients bring daily habits and commitment. Together we create a plan that addresses active disease and builds a sustainable routine for prevention. Consistent maintenance visits, personalized oral hygiene instruction, and periodic reassessment are all part of preserving treatment gains.
Our office emphasizes individualized care plans that reflect each patient’s needs, risk factors, and goals. Whether the objective is to reverse early inflammation or to stabilize advanced disease, the focus remains on predictable, evidence-based strategies that protect oral function and enhance quality of life.
At Park West Dental, patients receive compassionate, modern periodontal care from a team dedicated to long-term results. If you have concerns about bleeding gums, loose teeth, or any other signs of periodontal disease, we encourage you to schedule an assessment so we can recommend the most appropriate path forward.
In summary, periodontal disease is common but manageable when detected early and treated appropriately. With preventive habits, timely professional care, and a personalized treatment plan, many patients preserve their natural teeth and enjoy healthier smiles. Contact us to learn more about periodontal treatment options and how we can help you protect your oral health.
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It begins when bacterial plaque and tartar accumulate along the gumline and trigger an immune response that damages soft tissue and, over time, the bone. The disease ranges from mild, reversible gingivitis to more advanced periodontitis that can compromise tooth support.
Because early stages can be painless, many people do not recognize a problem until tissue loss has occurred. Regular dental examinations and periodontal assessments are essential to detect changes early and to guide appropriate care. Effective treatment focuses on removing the bacterial cause and controlling the inflammatory response to preserve oral health.
The primary cause of periodontal disease is the buildup of bacterial plaque and hardened tartar on teeth and beneath the gums, which provokes chronic inflammation. Contributing factors include tobacco use, poorly controlled diabetes, certain medications that reduce saliva flow, and inadequate oral hygiene. These factors alter the oral environment and make it easier for harmful bacteria to thrive.
Individual susceptibility also plays a role; genetics, age, and systemic health conditions can affect how strongly the body reacts to oral bacteria. Addressing modifiable risks and maintaining consistent preventive care can substantially reduce the likelihood of disease progression.
Early signs of gum disease include red, swollen, or tender gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Other common indicators are persistent bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, and mild gum recession that exposes more of the tooth surface. These symptoms often appear before any pain develops, which is why they should not be ignored.
If left untreated, early signs can progress to increased pocket depth, tooth mobility, and bone loss. Regular dental checkups and prompt evaluation of symptoms help catch disease in its initial stages when treatment is most effective and tissue damage is still reversible.
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by inflammation confined to the soft gum tissue without loss of bone or connective tissue. It typically presents with redness, swelling, and bleeding but does not involve irreversible structural damage when treated promptly. Improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings are usually sufficient to reverse gingivitis.
Periodontitis occurs when inflammation progresses deeper, destroying the connective tissue and bone that support teeth and creating periodontal pockets. This stage can lead to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss if not managed, and treatment focuses on halting further tissue breakdown and, when possible, restoring lost support.
Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical examination that includes measuring periodontal pocket depths, assessing bleeding on probing, evaluating gum recession, and checking tooth mobility. Dental radiographs are used to visualize bone levels and detect any bone loss around the teeth. Periodontal charting records these findings and establishes a baseline for monitoring disease progression.
Medical history and risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and medications are reviewed because they influence both diagnosis and treatment planning. At the office of Park West Dental, clinicians combine clinical data, imaging, and health history to determine disease stage and the most appropriate care pathway.
Non-surgical treatment typically starts with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to discourage bacterial reattachment. Clinicians may also apply locally delivered antimicrobials or recommend antiseptic rinses to reduce bacterial load and support healing. Improved at-home oral hygiene is an essential complement to these professional procedures.
Adjunctive therapies can include therapeutic mouth rinses, repeated localized antimicrobial applications, and, in selected cases, laser therapy to reduce pocket depth or manage inflammation. After initial therapy, a personalized maintenance schedule of professional cleanings and periodontal monitoring helps sustain treatment benefits and prevent recurrence.
Periodontal surgery is considered when non-surgical therapy fails to control deep periodontal pockets or when anatomical defects require direct access for cleaning and repair. Common surgical procedures include flap surgery to reduce pocket depth, guided tissue regeneration to encourage bone and ligament repair, and soft tissue grafts to address recession. The choice of procedure depends on pocket depth, bone loss, and the overall treatment goals.
During flap surgery, the gums are gently reflected to allow thorough cleaning of root surfaces and contouring of bone if needed, then sutured back to promote healing and improved hygiene access. Modern techniques may incorporate regenerative materials or lasers to enhance outcomes, and post-operative care and maintenance are critical to long-term success.
Antibiotics and antimicrobial agents can be used as adjuncts to mechanical therapy to reduce pathogenic bacteria and support healing, either systemically or as locally delivered medications placed directly into periodontal pockets. Antiseptic mouth rinses such as chlorhexidine are commonly recommended to control bacterial levels during active treatment. The decision to use antibiotics is based on disease severity, bacterial profile, and patient-specific risk factors.
In addition to antimicrobials, host-modulation therapies that modify the body’s inflammatory response may be considered for certain patients to limit tissue destruction. Medications and adjuncts are selected to complement mechanical cleaning rather than replace it, and clinicians monitor response closely to tailor ongoing care.
Prevention and control focus on consistent home care and professional maintenance: brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners, and attend regular dental exams and cleanings. Lifestyle changes such as quitting tobacco use and maintaining good blood sugar control for diabetic patients also reduce risk. Nutrition, stress management, and adequate sleep support overall immune function and oral health.
For patients with a history of periodontal disease, individualized maintenance intervals—typically more frequent than standard cleanings—help monitor tissue stability and remove recurring plaque and tartar. Early intervention at the first sign of recurrence is the most effective way to preserve healthy tissues and avoid more invasive treatments.
Treating periodontal disease reduces local inflammation and bacterial burden in the mouth, which can have positive effects beyond oral health because chronic oral inflammation is linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory concerns. By controlling periodontal infection and stabilizing tissue support, treatment helps lower the inflammatory load the body must manage. Maintaining periodontal health contributes to better nutrition, clearer speech, and improved quality of life.
Park West Dental emphasizes coordinated care that considers your medical history and risk factors, and clinicians work to create personalized treatment and maintenance plans. Early detection, evidence-based therapy, and long-term monitoring are central to reducing risks and preserving both oral function and overall well-being.
