Tooth loss in adults is most often the result of gum disease, and recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that approximately half of adults over 30 in the United States are affected by some form of periodontal disease. The condition is largely preventable, and early attention makes a big difference. At the office of Brown Family Dentistry Group, we provide a full range of periodontal services focused on preserving the tissues that support your smile so it looks, feels, and functions at its best.
Periodontal disease is the name given to inflammatory conditions that damage the periodontium — the gums, periodontal ligament, and jawbone that hold teeth in place. The process usually starts when bacteria in dental plaque accumulate along the gumline. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which traps bacteria against the roots and beneath the gum margin.
Because early periodontal disease often causes few obvious symptoms, many people are unaware an infection is developing. That’s why regular dental exams and cleanings are essential: professional care can remove the bacterial buildup that home brushing and flossing sometimes miss.
Preventing and managing gum disease relies on interrupting the bacterial cycle and limiting the inflammatory response. Timely detection combined with good daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance can keep healthy tissues intact and reduce the risk of tooth loss.
Signs that should prompt a periodontal evaluation:
Gums that appear swollen, tender, or darker than usual
Bleeding during brushing or flossing, even if it’s light
A gradual pulling back of the gumline or exposure of root surfaces
Increased sensitivity to temperature changes or sweets
Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth
Teeth that feel loose or shifts in how your bite comes together
New spacing between teeth or changes in the fit of prosthetic appliances
Pus or discharge around teeth and gums
Discomfort when chewing or biting
Oral health influences more than your smile. Researchers have linked periodontal inflammation with several systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses. While the presence of gum disease does not automatically cause these conditions, chronic inflammation and the circulation of oral bacteria can contribute to broader health concerns.
Addressing periodontal disease is therefore both a local and a whole-body consideration. Reducing inflammation in the mouth helps lower the bacterial load and can improve overall health markers for many patients, especially those managing chronic medical issues.
Our practice stresses prevention and early treatment because stopping damage before it becomes irreversible is the most reliable way to protect both oral structures and systemic well-being. Regular monitoring and maintenance play key roles in minimizing long-term consequences.
Gingivitis is the earliest, most treatable form of gum disease. It arises when plaque accumulation triggers inflammation of the gum tissue. Patients may notice redness, mild swelling, or bleeding after brushing — signs that tissue health is compromised but not yet permanently damaged.
When gingivitis is identified, interventions are straightforward: a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, reinforcement of proper brushing and flossing techniques, and targeted home-care routines. In most cases, gingivitis can be reversed completely with this approach.
Consistent follow-up visits help confirm that the inflammation is resolving and that the tissues are recovering. Establishing a routine of professional maintenance reduces the likelihood that gingivitis will progress to more destructive stages.
If inflammation continues unchecked, gingivitis can evolve into periodontitis, a condition in which the supporting connective tissues and bone begin to break down. As pockets form between the teeth and gums, bacteria gain deeper access to the root surfaces, and tissue loss accelerates.
Periodontitis can lead to gum recession, widening spaces between teeth, and eventually tooth looseness or loss. The severity of tissue and bone loss varies by individual and is influenced by factors such as oral hygiene, smoking, and certain health conditions that affect immune response.
The primary goals of treating periodontitis are to stop the destructive process, reduce pocket depths, and rebuild or stabilize supporting tissues where possible. While some damage may be permanent, modern therapies can often restore much of the structural support and improve long-term outcomes.
Every case of periodontal disease is unique, so effective care begins with a thorough clinical evaluation. That assessment typically includes periodontal probing to chart pocket depths, a review of medical history, and diagnostic imaging as needed. Together, these insights guide a treatment plan that matches the stage and pattern of disease.
Our team uses current techniques and technologies to manage periodontal conditions. Depending on your needs, we may recommend non-surgical measures such as scaling and root planing, targeted antimicrobial therapies, or specialized procedures to restore lost tissue. Minimally invasive options, including laser-assisted therapy, are sometimes appropriate and can complement conventional approaches.
Active treatment is paired with a long-term maintenance strategy. Periodontal therapy is most successful when clinicians and patients work together: professional care reduces bacterial burden, and patient adherence to home care helps sustain improvements over time.
The specific steps of treatment depend on disease severity. For many patients, the first line of care is non-surgical cleaning below the gumline — commonly called scaling and root planing — which removes tartar and smooths root surfaces to discourage bacterial recolonization. Topical or locally delivered antimicrobials may be used as adjuncts to enhance bacterial control.
When deeper pockets or significant bone loss are present, surgical options can improve access for cleaning, reduce pocket depths, and support tissue repair. Flap procedures allow clinicians to visualize and treat affected root surfaces, recontour bone, and prepare sites for regenerative techniques when indicated.
Regenerative procedures, such as bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration, aim to restore lost structure in selected cases. Additionally, periodontal therapy may incorporate modern tools like lasers to assist in decontamination and tissue reshaping when clinically appropriate.
Regardless of the chosen interventions, follow-up care is essential. Periodic maintenance visits, consistent oral hygiene, and communication about risk factors (for example, smoking or changes in health status) help protect the results of treatment and preserve long-term oral health.
When periodontal disease is caught early, conservative care is often sufficient to restore healthy tissues. Scaling and root planing are cornerstone techniques that remove subgingival plaque and calculus and help resolve inflammation without surgical intervention.
Adjunctive measures can include localized antimicrobial applications or systemic medications in select situations. These options are used judiciously to reduce pathogenic bacteria and support tissue healing alongside improved home care.
After active treatment, a tailored maintenance schedule is established to monitor healing and prevent recurrence. Regular professional cleanings and periodic reassessment are the best defenses against disease progression.
For more advanced disease, surgical interventions may be required to access deep pockets, reshape bone, and reattach or regenerate lost tissues. Flap surgery enables precise cleaning of root surfaces and can reduce pocket depths to a level that patients can maintain at home.
When appropriate, clinicians may use grafting materials and barrier membranes to encourage bone and connective tissue regeneration. These techniques aim to rebuild the foundation that supports teeth and, in some cases, prepare sites for future restorative work.
Contemporary periodontal surgery places strong emphasis on predictable healing and patient comfort. Careful postoperative monitoring and coordinated follow-up maximize the chance of long-term success.
To learn more about periodontal treatment and how we can help protect your smile, contact us for more information.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of Brown Family Dentistry Group, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, refers to inflammatory conditions that affect the periodontium, the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It begins when bacteria in dental plaque and tartar irritate the gums and trigger an immune response that can damage soft tissue and bone. Early stages may cause only mild irritation, while advanced disease can lead to pocket formation, recession, and tooth mobility.
Because periodontal disease can progress without pain, many people are unaware they have a problem until damage is advanced. Daily brushing and flossing, along with professional cleanings, are essential to remove bacterial biofilm and prevent disease progression. Routine evaluations at the office of Brown Family Dentistry Group in Greenville help detect early signs and guide appropriate care.
Common signs include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding during brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, and increased tooth sensitivity. You may also notice gum recession, loose teeth, new gaps forming between teeth, or changes in the way your bite fits. Any of these changes warrant prompt evaluation because they can indicate active tissue breakdown.
Not all symptoms appear together, and some patients have minimal symptoms despite significant disease. A professional periodontal assessment can identify pocket depths and bone loss that are not visible to the naked eye. Early detection improves the likelihood of conservative treatment and better long-term outcomes.
Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease characterized primarily by inflammation of the gum tissue without loss of bone or connective tissue support. It often causes redness, swelling, and bleeding gums but typically does not produce permanent damage when treated promptly. With improved home care and professional cleanings, gingivitis can usually be resolved.
Periodontitis occurs when the inflammatory process extends below the gumline, destroying the fibers and bone that anchor teeth. This stage produces pocketing, recession, and, if untreated, progressive tooth mobility and potential tooth loss. Treatment shifts from simple cleaning to therapies aimed at reducing bacteria, halting destruction, and regenerating lost tissue when possible.
Non-surgical therapy typically begins with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning process that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to discourage bacterial attachment. Adjunctive measures may include topical antimicrobials placed in pockets or short courses of systemic antibiotics when indicated. These treatments reduce bacterial load and inflammation, allowing healing of the gum tissue.
Following non-surgical therapy, success depends on meticulous home care and a tailored maintenance schedule of professional cleanings and periodontal reevaluation. Many patients achieve stable periodontal health with these conservative approaches, especially when disease is caught early. When response to treatment is limited, further periodontal procedures may be recommended.
Surgery is recommended when pocket depths exceed the reach of non-surgical measures, when there is ongoing bone loss, or when anatomical factors prevent thorough cleaning. Common signs that surgery may be needed include persistent deep pockets, continued bleeding, and mobility despite conservative care. The primary goals are to eliminate sources of infection, reduce pocket depth, and re-establish a healthy foundation for oral hygiene.
Surgical options include flap or pocket reduction surgery, bone and tissue grafting to restore lost support, and guided tissue regeneration to encourage new bone growth. In select cases, laser-assisted procedures or minimally invasive techniques can reduce tissue trauma and improve healing. Postoperative care includes careful plaque control, short-term antimicrobial measures when appropriate, and scheduled follow-ups to monitor healing and stability.
Dental lasers can complement traditional periodontal therapy by selectively removing diseased tissue, reducing bacteria, and helping to reduce pocket depths with less bleeding and swelling in some cases. Lasers are not a one-size-fits-all solution but can be effective for certain types of periodontal treatment and for treating peri-implantitis. The decision to use laser therapy is based on clinical findings, pocket morphology, and individual patient factors.
Regenerative procedures, such as bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration, aim to restore lost bone and connective tissue where possible to improve tooth support and long-term prognosis. When combined with meticulous infection control and proper maintenance, these techniques can improve function and esthetics. Your clinician will recommend the most appropriate regenerative approach based on defect size, location, and overall oral health.
Research has shown associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness, likely due to chronic inflammation and the spread of oral bacteria. While periodontal disease does not directly cause these conditions in every case, managing oral inflammation is an important component of overall health. Patients with chronic health issues often require closer periodontal monitoring and coordinated care with their medical providers.
Informing your dental team about systemic conditions and medications helps tailor periodontal treatment and reduce risks during therapy. Effective periodontal care may improve glycemic control in some individuals with diabetes and reduce inflammatory burden systemically. Regular periodontal assessments are recommended as part of comprehensive health management.
A periodontal evaluation includes charting pocket depths with a periodontal probe, assessing gum recession, measuring tooth mobility, and reviewing dental radiographs to evaluate bone levels. Clinicians also examine for bleeding on probing, plaque accumulation, and areas that are difficult to clean. A complete medical and dental history is reviewed to identify risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, or medications that affect the gums.
After assessment, the team at Brown Family Dentistry Group will discuss findings, outline recommended therapies, and provide personalized home care instructions to address problem areas. They will also explain expected outcomes and the schedule for follow-up visits to monitor healing and control disease progression. Open communication and shared decision-making help you choose the best path forward.
Prevention centers on thorough daily oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, daily interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes, and limiting tobacco use. Effective plaque removal disrupts the bacterial biofilm that causes inflammation and tissue breakdown. Dietary choices and managing systemic health also contribute to oral disease prevention.
Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings tailored to your risk level are essential for removing hardened deposits and monitoring tissue health. For patients with a history of periodontal disease, a structured periodontal maintenance program with more frequent visits is often necessary to prevent recurrence. Early detection and consistent care are the best defenses against long-term damage.
You should consider seeing a periodontist if you have persistent deep pockets, progressive bone loss, repeated infections around implants, or complex regenerative needs that exceed general practice scope. Periodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating advanced periodontal disease, performing surgical procedures, and placing or treating dental implants. General dentists routinely collaborate with periodontists and will refer patients when specialized care offers the best prognosis.
A referral typically involves transferring diagnostic records and scheduling a consultation during which the periodontist will confirm findings and propose a focused treatment plan. Treatment may involve staged therapies coordinated with restorative or implant care, and your dental team will communicate to ensure continuity. Patients should ask about recovery expectations, post-surgical care, and long-term maintenance during the consultation.
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At Brown Family Dentistry Group, connecting with us is easy! Our friendly staff is here to assist you with appointment scheduling, answer questions about treatment options, and address any concerns. Call, email, or use our quick online contact form—whichever works best for you. Take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile today and experience the difference personalized dental care can make.
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