Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults, and research shows it affects a large portion of the population — nearly half of adults over 30 show some degree of periodontal involvement. The condition often begins quietly and can advance long before obvious symptoms appear. At Mercer Island Dental Associates, our approach focuses on early identification, practical treatment, and long-term maintenance so patients can preserve natural teeth and healthy gum tissue for years to come.
Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in dental plaque irritate the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Left unchecked, this inflammation can progress from gingivitis — a reversible surface inflammation — to periodontitis, where the deeper connective tissues and bone are affected. The process is driven by a combination of bacterial buildup, the body’s inflammatory response, and individual susceptibilities such as smoking or certain medical conditions.
Because early stages can be painless, signs are easy to miss. Regular exams and professional cleanings are essential: they give clinicians the chance to measure pocket depths, check for bone loss on X-rays, and catch small changes before they become larger problems. Prevention and routine monitoring remain the most effective ways to stop gum disease in its tracks.
Being mindful of warning signs helps patients partner with their dental team to protect oral health. If you notice subtle changes in your gums or teeth, timely evaluation can often avoid more involved procedures down the road.
Common symptoms to watch for include:
Gums that look red, puffy, or swollen
Bleeding during brushing or flossing
Receding gum lines or exposed root areas
Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste
Teeth that feel loose or shifting in position
New gaps between teeth or a change in how teeth fit together
Partial dentures that no longer fit comfortably
Discharge or tenderness around the gum line
Discomfort when chewing that wasn’t present before
Good periodontal health supports more than just a confident smile. The mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body, and chronic inflammation in the gums has been linked to systemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and certain respiratory issues. Controlling oral inflammation contributes to overall well-being and can reduce the burden of chronic systemic inflammation.
That connection is why our practice emphasizes prevention and patient education. Daily habits like brushing, flossing, and effective interdental cleaning, combined with routine professional care, dramatically lower the risk of disease progression. Listening to your body and reporting early changes enables timely care and better long-term outcomes.
Managing risk factors is part of a comprehensive plan. Smoking cessation, blood sugar control for patients with diabetes, and routine dental visits all improve the likelihood of preserving natural teeth and supporting structures. The goal is always to reduce inflammation, limit tissue breakdown, and maintain a healthy oral environment.
Gingivitis is the initial, reversible stage of gum disease. It develops when plaque accumulation causes superficial gum irritation and inflammation without significant loss of connective tissue or bone. Because it rarely causes sharp pain, patients often ignore the signs until the condition advances — which is why professional evaluation is so important.
The encouraging news is that gingivitis responds well to improved oral hygiene and professional intervention. A coordinated plan of thorough dental cleanings, better at-home care, and short-term monitoring can restore healthy gum tissue in most cases. Early action prevents the transition to irreversible tissue damage.
Successful treatment of gingivitis depends on consistent follow-through. Patients who adopt reliable daily cleaning methods and attend recommended maintenance visits typically see the inflammation subside and the gums return to a healthy, pink appearance.
Periodontitis occurs when inflammation extends below the gum line and begins to damage the tissues that anchor teeth in place. Attachment loss, pocket formation, and bone resorption are hallmarks of this stage. As pockets deepen, bacteria become harder to remove with routine brushing, and the cycle of infection and inflammation accelerates.
Treatment at this stage focuses on halting disease progression and preserving remaining support. While some lost bone and ligament cannot be fully restored without specialized procedures, modern periodontal care can stabilize the condition, reduce pocket depths, and improve the long-term prognosis for affected teeth.
Decisions about the most appropriate therapies depend on how widespread the disease is, the depth of periodontal pockets, the amount of bone loss seen on radiographs, and the patient’s overall health. A personalized treatment plan aims to control the infection, promote healing, and create a manageable maintenance schedule.
Periodontal therapy ranges from conservative, non-surgical methods to more advanced surgical procedures. The first step is always a thorough examination and assessment so that treatment can be tailored to the stage of disease and the patient’s individual needs. Education, careful monitoring, and a partnership between patient and clinician form the foundation of successful care.
When less invasive measures are appropriate, clinicians prioritize techniques that reduce inflammation and bacterial load while preserving tissue. When disease has progressed, surgical options may be necessary to access deep areas, reshape tissues, or rebuild lost bone and soft tissue. New technologies and regenerative materials have expanded the options available to restore function and appearance.
For early to moderate disease, non-surgical therapies are the first line of treatment. Scaling and root planing — deep cleanings below the gum line — remove accumulated plaque and hardened tartar from root surfaces and smooth those surfaces so the gums can reattach more closely to the tooth.
Adjunctive measures may include locally applied antimicrobials placed into pockets or short courses of systemic medication when indicated. These approaches reduce bacterial levels and help the immune response regain control of the infection without the need for immediate surgery.
Non-surgical care also emphasizes behavior change: improving daily plaque control, addressing smoking, and optimizing general health all contribute to successful outcomes. Many patients respond well to this conservative route when it is combined with attentive maintenance.
When pocket depths are too great for deep cleanings alone, periodontal surgery allows clinicians to access and clean the root surfaces thoroughly, reduce pocket depth, and reconfigure tissues to make daily hygiene more effective. Flap procedures involve temporarily reflecting gum tissue to gain full visibility and then suturing it back in a healthier position.
Reconstructive techniques — including bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration, and connective tissue grafts — can help restore lost support and improve the smile’s appearance. In select cases, modern laser-assisted procedures offer minimally invasive alternatives for tissue removal, pocket reduction, and treatment around implants.
Post-surgical care focuses on healing and maintenance. With proper follow-up, improved oral hygiene, and periodic professional cleanings, many patients regain stable periodontal health and avoid further tooth loss.
Keeping periodontal disease under control is a team effort: skilled clinical care combined with committed at-home habits and regular maintenance visits delivers the best results. Our team works with each patient to create a clear, achievable plan that addresses immediate needs and supports long-term oral health.
If you have questions about the signs, risks, or treatments for gum disease, contact Mercer Island Dental Associates to learn more. Our team is available to explain options, outline next steps after an evaluation, and help you protect your oral health for the future.
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 Mercer Island Dental Associates, 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 is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums and the supporting structures around the teeth. It begins when bacteria in dental plaque trigger an immune response that, over time, can damage the soft tissue and bone that hold teeth in place. Early stages are reversible, but if inflammation advances it can lead to pocket formation, attachment loss, and potential tooth mobility.
The condition is common among adults and often progresses quietly, which is why routine dental evaluation is essential. At Mercer Island Dental Associates we emphasize early detection and personalized care plans to preserve natural teeth and gum health. Timely intervention can stabilize disease and improve long-term outcomes for patients.
Gum disease results from a combination of bacterial biofilm (plaque), the body’s inflammatory response, and individual risk factors that influence healing and susceptibility. Common contributors include inadequate oral hygiene, tobacco use, certain medications, hormonal changes, and systemic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes. Genetics and age also play roles in how strongly a person may respond to bacterial challenge.
Because multiple factors contribute, the practice assesses each patient’s overall health, oral habits, and medical history when determining risk. Understanding these influences helps create a tailored prevention and treatment strategy that reduces the likelihood of progression and preserves periodontal support.
Early gum disease often produces subtle signs that patients can miss, so vigilance is important. Look for gums that appear red, swollen, or puffy; bleeding during brushing or flossing; a persistent bad taste or bad breath; and increased tooth sensitivity or gum recession. These symptoms can signal gingivitis or the beginning stages of more advanced disease.
Because early stages may not be painful, regular dental exams and professional cleanings are key to catching changes before they become serious. If you notice any of these warning signs, prompt evaluation by the dental team helps avoid more invasive treatment later on.
Diagnosis starts with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, assessing gum attachment, and checking for bleeding on probing. Dental radiographs are used to evaluate bone levels and detect patterns of bone loss that are not visible during a visual exam. The clinician will also review medical history and factors such as smoking or diabetes that influence diagnosis and care planning.
A full assessment produces a personalized diagnosis and informs the treatment sequence, whether conservative therapy, adjunctive antimicrobial measures, or referral for surgical care is appropriate. Regular reassessment during and after treatment ensures the chosen approach is effective and allows for timely adjustments.
Non-surgical care is the first-line approach for early to moderate periodontal disease and focuses on removing bacterial deposits and reducing inflammation. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) reaches below the gum line to remove plaque and calculus from the root surfaces, smoothing areas where bacteria collect and promoting gum reattachment. Clinicians may use locally applied antimicrobials or recommend short courses of systemic medication when indicated to help control infection.
Equally important are patient-centered measures such as improved oral hygiene, interdental cleaning, smoking cessation, and addressing systemic health issues. When these steps are combined with professional therapy and regular follow-up, many patients achieve stable periodontal health without immediate surgical intervention.
Surgery is considered when pocket depths are too deep to be managed effectively with non-surgical therapy or when regenerative procedures are needed to restore lost bone and tissue. Common surgical procedures include flap surgery to access and thoroughly clean root surfaces, bone grafts to rebuild lost support, guided tissue regeneration, and soft-tissue grafts to address recession. Laser-assisted techniques and less invasive options may also be used in select cases to reduce discomfort and speed recovery.
Postoperative care focuses on managing inflammation, protecting healing sites, and re-establishing effective home care routines. The dental team provides detailed instructions and a maintenance schedule to monitor healing and minimize the risk of recurrence; long-term success depends on both professional follow-up and patient adherence to recommended habits.
Systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and immune disorders can influence both the development of periodontal disease and how patients respond to treatment. For example, poor blood sugar control is associated with increased severity of gum disease and slower healing after procedures. Medications and systemic inflammation may also alter tissue response, requiring adjustments to treatment sequencing and monitoring.
The practice evaluates medical history and coordinates care as needed with other healthcare providers to optimize outcomes. Managing systemic risk factors alongside targeted periodontal therapy improves healing potential and reduces the chance of disease progression over time.
Prevention and recurrence control rest on consistent daily oral hygiene and a partnership with your dental team for regular professional care. Effective habits include thorough twice-daily brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste, daily interdental cleaning (floss or water flossers), and routine professional cleanings to remove plaque and calculus in areas that are hard to reach at home. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and maintaining good overall health, including diabetes management, further reduce risk.
Individualized maintenance plans—often called periodontal maintenance—help keep inflammation in check after active treatment. These visits allow clinicians to monitor pocket depths, reinforce home care techniques, and intervene early if signs of recurrence appear, which is crucial for long-term tooth preservation.
Periodontal maintenance is a structured schedule of professional visits designed to control bacterial buildup and detect early signs of recurrence. Maintenance intervals are personalized based on disease severity and patient response, and typically include thorough cleaning below the gum line, periodontal assessments, and occasional radiographs to monitor bone levels. These appointments also provide an opportunity to review and refine home care techniques with the dental team.
Consistent attendance at maintenance visits is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success following periodontal therapy. The goal is to maintain pocket depths, minimize inflammation, and protect the support structures that keep teeth stable and functional.
Gum disease around natural teeth and implants is driven by similar bacterial processes, but inflammation around implants—known as peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis—can progress differently and jeopardize implant integration. Early detection is critical because advanced bone loss around an implant can lead to implant failure. Treatment approaches include mechanical debridement, antiseptic or antimicrobial measures, and in some cases surgical intervention to clean and regenerate lost supporting structures.
The practice emphasizes prevention through meticulous home care and regular professional monitoring for implant patients. Prompt management of early inflammation, combined with individualized maintenance protocols, helps protect implant health and extends the longevity of implant restorations.
