Important Tips and Deep Cleaning. 60068
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, yet many people do not realize they have it because it often causes little to no discomfort until it has progressed. In this guide, Dr. Thanasi Loukas, DMD, and Dr. Maria Loukas, DDS, of Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge, explain what gum disease is, how to recognize the warning signs, how it is treated at each stage, and how it may be connected to your heart health, blood sugar, and memory.
What Gum Disease Actually Is
Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that forms on your teeth every day. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar along and beneath the gumline. Bacteria within this tartar—especially Porphyromonas gingivalis—release toxins that irritate and inflame the gums. In response, your immune system triggers ongoing inflammation, which can gradually destroy the ligament and bone that support your teeth. The teeth themselves may still be healthy, but they can become loose because the foundation holding them in place has been damaged.
The Two Stages: Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis
Gingivitis (reversible)
Red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush or floss. No bone has been lost yet. Gingivitis is fully reversible with a professional cleaning and better home care — usually within two to three weeks.
Periodontitis (manageable, not reversible)
Inflammation has spread below the gumline and begun to dissolve bone. Pockets form between the gum and tooth where bacteria thrive. Bone that is lost does not grow back on its own, which is why periodontitis is controlled rather than cured — but controlled well, patients keep their teeth for life.
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Bleeding when you brush or floss (healthy gums do not bleed)
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste that brushing does not fix
- Gums pulling away from the teeth, making teeth look longer
- New gaps between teeth, or teeth that feel loose or have shifted
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- A change in how your bite or partial denture fits
Bleeding gums are the earliest and most ignored sign. If you see pink in the sink, that is the moment to call, not a reason to brush more gently.
Who Is at Higher Risk
- Smokers and vapers — tobacco is the single biggest risk factor and also masks bleeding, so disease advances silently.
- People with diabetes — high blood sugar feeds gum bacteria and slows healing, and gum infection in turn makes blood sugar harder to control. If you are diabetic, we recommend a periodontal check at every visit.
- Pregnancy — hormone changes make gums react more strongly to plaque.
- Family history, certain medications that cause dry mouth, stress, and crowded teeth that are hard to clean.
- Age — about half of adults over 30 and 70% of adults over 65 have some periodontitis.
How We Treat Gum Disease in Park Ridge
1. Measuring the problem
At your exam we measure the pocket depth around every tooth with a small probe and compare bone levels on digital X-rays. Healthy pockets are 1–3 mm; 4 mm and above signals disease. You get a chart, not a lecture.
2. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
For early-to-moderate periodontitis, the hygienist numbs the area and removes tartar from the root surfaces below the gumline, then smooths the roots so the gum can reattach. It is usually done in two visits, one side of the mouth at a time, and is the most effective non-surgical treatment there is.
3. Periodontal maintenance
After deep cleaning, pockets are re-measured. Most patients then move to cleanings every three to four months instead of six, because the bacteria re-establish in about 90 days. This schedule is what keeps periodontitis controlled long term.
4. When more is needed
Deep periodontal pockets that do not respond to routine cleanings, improved home care, or scaling and root planing may require additional treatment to control infection and protect the supporting structures around the teeth. In some cases, localized antibiotics can be placed directly into the pocket, allowing the medication to target harmful bacteria where they are most concentrated. When gum recession is present and tooth roots are exposed, gum grafting may be recommended to cover vulnerable areas, reduce sensitivity, improve the gumline, and help prevent further tissue loss. If pockets remain deep, bleeding continues, or bone loss has progressed, referral to a periodontist may be necessary. A periodontist can evaluate whether surgical therapy, pocket reduction procedures, or bone regeneration is appropriate. Regenerative treatments may help rebuild lost bone and attachment in carefully selected cases, giving teeth a better long-term prognosis and making the gums easier to maintain with daily brushing, flossing, and professional periodontal maintenance. If teeth are lost due to advanced periodontal disease, dental implants may still be possible, but only after the infection is fully controlled and the surrounding bone and gum tissue are healthy enough to support them. Bone grafting or other preparatory procedures may be needed before implant placement. Because untreated periodontitis is one of the main reasons dental implants fail, stabilizing gum disease must come first. Healthy gums and strong bone create the foundation for successful, long-lasting implant treatment.
Gum Disease and the Rest of Your Body
Periodontitis—the inflammation that destroys the bone supporting your teeth—can also affect your overall health. Research has linked gum disease to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, poor blood sugar control in people with diabetes, pregnancy complications, and, according to studies from NYU and other institutions, Alzheimer’s disease. In some studies, the gum bacterium P. gingivalis has even been identified in brain tissue. Caring for your gums is not only about protecting your smile; it is an essential part of supporting your whole-body health.
Preventing It at Home
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush, angled into the gumline; replace the brush every three months.
- Clean between teeth once a day — floss, a water flosser or interdental brushes all work if you use them.
- Do not smoke or vape.
- Eat for your gums: vitamin C (citrus, peppers), vitamin D and calcium, and less sugar and refined carbohydrate between meals.
- Keep every cleaning appointment; tartar cannot be brushed off once it forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gum disease curable?
Gingivitis is fully reversible. Periodontitis cannot be reversed because lost bone does not regrow on its own, but it can be stopped and kept stable for decades with treatment and 3–4 month maintenance cleanings.
Does a deep cleaning hurt?
The area is numbed, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Gums may be tender for a day or two afterward; over-the-counter pain relievers are enough for most patients.
Can teeth lost to gum disease be replaced with implants?
Yes, once the infection is controlled. Bone grafting may be needed first. We place and restore implants in our Park Ridge office.
How often should I have cleanings if I have gum disease?
Every three to four months. Bacteria repopulate pockets in roughly 90 days, so six-month visits are not enough once bone loss has started.
Does insurance cover gum disease treatment?
Most PPO plans cover scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance at a high percentage. We verify your benefits before treatment.
Bleeding Gums? Get Checked in Park Ridge
A periodontal exam takes ten minutes. Call (847) 696-1919 or request an appointment at Loukas Dentistry, your Park Ridge dentist at 714 W Higgins Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Learn more on our gum disease treatment page.
