Most people picture a cavity when they think about dental problems. But one of the most common threats to your smile doesn’t happen in your teeth at all — it happens in your gums. Periodontal (gum) disease is sneaky. It often develops with no pain and few obvious symptoms, which is exactly why so many patients don’t find out they have it until it’s already progressed.
At Pacific Dental Group in North Hollywood, we see this all the time: a patient comes in for a routine checkup and learns for the first time that their gums need attention. The good news is that gum disease is highly treatable, especially when it’s caught early. Here’s what to watch for, and what treatment actually looks like.
Why Gum Disease Is Easy to Miss
Gum disease starts as gingivitis, a mild inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. Left untreated, it can advance into periodontitis, where the infection spreads below the gum tissue and begins affecting the bone that holds your teeth in place. Because the early stages rarely hurt, many people brush right past the warning signs — literally.
5 Signs Your Gums Need Attention
- Bleeding gums. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, that’s not “normal” — it’s inflammation.
- Persistent bad breath. Bacteria below the gumline can cause an odor that doesn’t go away with mouthwash or brushing.
- Gum recession. Teeth that look “longer” than they used to are often a sign that gum tissue has pulled back, sometimes exposing the root.
- Tender or swollen gums. Gums should be firm and pink, not puffy, red, or sore to the touch.
- Loose teeth. In more advanced stages, gum disease can weaken the bone and tissue supporting your teeth, causing shifting or looseness.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth scheduling an exam. Caught early, gum disease is very manageable.
How We Treat Gum Disease at Pacific Dental Group
Every patient’s situation is different, so treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed. Here are the most common approaches our North Hollywood team uses:
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
This is usually the first line of treatment. It’s a deep-cleaning procedure that removes hardened plaque and bacteria from below the gumline, then smooths the root surfaces so your gums can reattach and heal. The process generally involves:
- Numbing the area for comfort
- Using an ultrasonic tool to clear away plaque and tartar
- Placing antibiotic fibers in the gum pockets to help prevent reinfection
Most patients feel mild tenderness afterward that fades within a few days.
Laser Gum Surgery
For patients who’d rather avoid traditional surgery, laser treatment offers a minimally invasive option. Compared to the traditional method of cutting tissue and stitching the wound (which can mean weeks of recovery), laser gum surgery typically takes just two short appointments and comes with less bleeding, less sensitivity, and a lower risk of infection.
Gum Graft Surgery
When gum recession has exposed the tooth root, a gum graft can restore the gumline by replacing lost tissue. This not only protects the tooth but also creates a more even, healthy-looking smile.
Root Surface Debridement
For more advanced infections, this treatment goes a step further than standard cleaning — addressing the root surfaces, gum pockets, and surrounding tissue to control bacteria and support healing.
Ongoing Maintenance
Gum disease doesn’t fully “go away” once treated — it needs to be managed. Most periodontal patients benefit from maintenance cleanings every three to four months, rather than the standard twice-a-year visit, to keep it from coming back.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms to Get Worse
Gum disease is progressive, which means it tends to get harder to treat the longer it’s left alone — but it’s very manageable when addressed early. If you’ve noticed bleeding, tenderness, bad breath, or any of the signs above, don’t brush it off.
Dr. Galstian and Dr. Tayyem and our North Hollywood team are here to help you get your gum health back on track.
Call (818) 356-4736 or schedule an appointment online today. Se habla Español.
Pacific Dental Group – North Hollywood: 6801 Lankershim Blvd., Suite 101, North Hollywood, CA 91605