Gum Disease & Periodontal Care in Newport, NH

Are bleeding gums normal?

Healthy gums generally should not bleed regularly during ordinary brushing and flossing.

Occasional irritation can happen, but repeated bleeding is often a sign of inflammation.

It is worth having the cause evaluated, especially if bleeding is accompanied by swelling, tenderness, gum recession, bad breath, or loose teeth.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are different

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums without the supporting bone loss that defines periodontitis.

It can often be improved when the causes of the inflammation are controlled.

Periodontitis is a deeper disease involving loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth.

Once supporting bone has been lost, treatment focuses on controlling the disease, maintaining the remaining support, and addressing defects or other problems when appropriate.

How do we check for gum disease?

A periodontal evaluation may include:

Not all gum disease is obvious from how the gums look in the mirror.

• examining the gums
• measuring the spaces around the teeth
• checking for bleeding
• evaluating gum recession
• looking for tooth mobility
• reviewing dental imaging for bone levels
• evaluating plaque and tartar
• reviewing risk factors and medical history

What is scaling and root planing?

Scaling and root planing is often called a deep cleaning.

It removes plaque and hardened deposits from below the gumline and cleans the root surfaces where periodontal disease is present.

The goal is to reduce inflammation and bacterial buildup so the tissues can heal and become easier to maintain.

Deep cleaning is different from a routine preventive cleaning.

What happens after a deep cleaning?

Periodontal treatment needs follow-up.

We reevaluate how the gums responded, whether bleeding and inflammation have improved, and whether deeper areas remain that are difficult to keep clean.

Some patients can return to ordinary preventive care. Patients with periodontitis commonly need periodontal maintenance instead.

Periodontal maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is ongoing care for patients who have been treated for periodontal disease.

These visits focus on controlling disease around the teeth and below the gumline, monitoring areas of previous bone loss, and identifying recurrence early.

The recommended interval depends on the patient's disease history and current condition.

Gum recession

Gum recession exposes more of the tooth or root.

It may be related to periodontal disease, thin gum tissue, tooth position, brushing trauma, orthodontic movement, muscle or frenum pull, or other factors.

We evaluate whether it is stable, progressing, causing sensitivity, difficult to keep clean, affecting the appearance of the smile, or putting the tooth at greater risk.

Gum grafting

Gum grafting can be used in selected areas to increase or reposition gum tissue around a tooth or dental implant.

Depending on the problem, treatment may be intended to improve tissue thickness, protect an exposed root, improve cleansability, or address selected esthetic concerns.

The amount of root coverage that can be achieved depends on the anatomy and the type of recession.

Periodontal surgery

Some periodontal problems cannot be adequately managed with routine cleaning or scaling and root planing alone.

Periodontal surgery may be used in selected cases to gain access to deeper areas, reshape or manage affected tissues, treat certain periodontal defects, or improve the conditions needed to maintain the teeth.

Smoking, vaping & gum health

Smoking and other tobacco or nicotine exposure can increase periodontal risk and interfere with healing.

An important complication is that smoking can sometimes reduce visible bleeding even when significant periodontal disease is present.

Tell us about smoking or vaping so it can be considered when we evaluate risk and treatment.

Diabetes and periodontal disease

Diabetes and periodontal health can affect one another.

Patients with diabetes should keep us informed about their medical history and disease control because it can affect periodontal risk, healing, and treatment planning.

Dental treatment does not replace medical management of diabetes.

Can gum disease cause tooth loss?

Advanced periodontitis can destroy enough bone and supporting tissue that teeth become loose or cannot be predictably maintained.

Early diagnosis and long-term maintenance can make a major difference.

Can lost bone or gum tissue grow back?

Some periodontal defects can potentially be treated with regenerative, grafting, or surgical procedures, while others cannot be fully restored.

The treatment depends on the location and shape of the defect, the tooth, disease control, smoking or other risk factors, and the overall prognosis.

We can explain what is realistic after examination.

Bleeding, recession, or other gum concerns?

A periodontal evaluation can determine whether you have gingivitis, periodontitis, recession, or another problem and what treatment makes sense.