You spit after brushing and there's pink in the sink. Or a dentist read out a string of numbers at your checkup, mentioned “pockets,” and suggested a deep cleaning you weren't sure you needed. Both are about your gums. Gum disease treatment, also called periodontal therapy, cleans the infection out from under the gums so they can heal and tighten back around the teeth.
At our Lakeview, Chicago studio, we measure your gums and look at your X-rays before recommending any treatment, so a deep cleaning is only suggested when your gums need one. Below is how gum disease works, what a deep cleaning involves, and how to keep it from coming back.
“Gum disease can progress quietly without much discomfort, and once bone has been lost, it can be much harder to regain. The goal is to catch it early and get the gums healthy again.”
Dr. Erin Cho
What are the signs of gum disease?
A little blood when you floss is often written off as normal. It isn't. Bleeding gums are a sign that something needs attention, and usually the first one you'll notice.
Other signs are gums that look red or puffy, bad breath or a bad taste that won't go away, gums that have pulled back so a tooth looks longer, and teeth that feel loose or have started to shift. Often there's no pain at all.
Early gum disease is called gingivitis. It affects only the gums, and a professional cleaning plus good brushing and flossing at home can usually reverse it. Once the infection reaches the bone that holds the teeth in place, it's called periodontitis, and it needs treatment.
Do I need a deep cleaning?
It's a fair question. The answer comes from measurements. A thin probe is slipped gently between each tooth and the gum to measure the pocket there. Healthy gums usually measure 1 to 3 millimeters. Deeper pockets hold bacteria and tartar that a regular cleaning can't reach.
We recommend a deep cleaning when we see bleeding, swelling, deeper pockets, buildup below the gumline, or bone loss on your X-rays. For patients who are more prone to gum disease, saliva testing can add another layer of information.
With nothing to go on but a string of numbers, it's hard to know whether you need a deep cleaning. We'd rather you see the evidence. We show you your gum measurements and your X-rays, and point out where the bleeding, buildup or bone loss is, so you decide knowing why it's recommended.
What happens during gum disease treatment in Chicago?
The usual treatment is scaling and root planing, the formal name for a deep cleaning. Tartar and bacteria are cleaned off the roots of the teeth below the gumline. Then the root surfaces are smoothed, so the gums can reattach and the pockets can shrink. The area is numbed first, and it's often done a section of the mouth at a time.
Your gums may be sore for a few days, and the teeth can be sensitive to cold for a while. Over the next few weeks, bleeding and swelling usually ease and the pockets get shallower. A follow-up visit measures them again to see how they've healed.
How do I keep gum disease from coming back?
Gum disease can come back. Most people return for periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months for a while, then less often once the gums stay stable.
At home, brush twice a day with a soft brush angled toward the gumline, and clean between your teeth every day with floss or small interdental brushes. If you smoke, know that it slows healing and hides bleeding, so gum disease can get worse without the usual warning. Tell us if you have diabetes or are pregnant, since both affect the gums.
Our dentists
Our founder, Dr. Erin Cho, and Dr. Ashley Choi, both trained at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Early on, yes. Gingivitis usually clears with a cleaning and good care at home. Once bone has been lost, treatment can stop the disease from getting worse, but the lost bone is much harder to get back.
Does a deep cleaning hurt?›
Not usually. The area is numbed first, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Gums can be sore for a few days afterward.
How long does a deep cleaning take?›
Often two visits, each treating half of the mouth. Your plan depends on how many areas need care.
Should I stop flossing if my gums bleed?›
No. Bleeding means the gums are inflamed, and flossing every day helps them settle. If they still bleed after a couple of weeks, have them checked.
Is gum disease treatment covered by insurance?›
Often, at least in part. Many dental plans cover scaling and root planing. We make using your dental benefits simple. Contact us and our team will be happy to help you understand what your plan may cover.
Is gum disease linked to other health problems?›
Yes, there is a link. Research connects gum disease with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and diabetes makes gum disease harder to control.
