Protect Your Gums and the Foundation of Your Smile
Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum tenderness and changes around your teeth can be signs of gum disease. Periodontal problems can progress without causing significant discomfort at first, which makes timely evaluation important for protecting the gums and bone that support your teeth.
At Henrietta Family Dental, Dr. Soliman provides periodontal treatment in Rochester, New York, with care based on the condition of your gums and the severity of disease. Treatment focuses on controlling infection, improving gum health and helping protect the supporting structures around your teeth.
If you have bleeding gums, persistent bad breath or other signs of gum disease, call 585-424-3310 to schedule a periodontal evaluation with Dr. Soliman.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It often begins when plaque accumulates along the gumline and causes inflammation.
Early gum inflammation is known as gingivitis. At this stage, gums may become red, swollen or prone to bleeding. When the condition progresses into periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the teeth and form deeper spaces called periodontal pockets. These areas can collect bacteria and become difficult to clean with brushing and flossing alone.
Advanced periodontal disease can damage the bone and tissues supporting the teeth. Finding and treating gum disease before extensive damage occurs can help protect your natural smile.
Common Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease does not always cause obvious pain. Symptoms that should be evaluated include:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth
- Teeth that look longer because of gum recession
- Sensitivity around the gumline
- Changes in the spaces between your teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Discomfort when chewing
If you notice these changes, do not wait for the problem to become painful. A periodontal examination can help determine whether gum disease is present and what level of care is appropriate.
How Is Gum Disease Evaluated?
Dr. Soliman will examine your teeth and gums and look for signs of inflammation, recession and other periodontal changes. Your evaluation may include measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums to identify periodontal pockets.
Dental X-rays may also be recommended when they are needed to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth. Your medical history, home-care routine and factors that may affect your periodontal health can also be considered when developing a treatment plan.
The goal is to determine how far the condition has progressed so treatment can be matched to your specific needs.
Periodontal Treatment Options
Periodontal treatment is not the same for every patient. The appropriate approach depends on the health of your gums, periodontal pocket depths, the amount of buildup around and below the gumline and other findings from your examination.
Periodontal services available at Henrietta Family Dental include:
Dr. Soliman will explain which treatment is appropriate for your condition and what you can expect before care begins.
Scaling and Root Planing for Gum Disease
When periodontal disease has progressed below the gumline, a routine dental cleaning may not be enough. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical deep-cleaning procedure used to remove plaque and hardened buildup from areas above and below the gumline.
Scaling removes deposits from the teeth and periodontal pockets. Root planing cleans and smooths the root surfaces to create a healthier environment for the gums as inflammation is brought under control.
Treatment may be completed in sections of the mouth depending on the extent of periodontal disease and your individual needs.
ARESTIN® Gum Treatment
For some periodontal cases, Dr. Soliman may recommend ARESTIN® gum treatment as part of the treatment plan. ARESTIN® is placed directly into appropriate periodontal pockets to provide localized antimicrobial treatment.
It is not necessary or appropriate for every patient. Dr. Soliman will determine whether an adjunctive periodontal treatment is indicated based on your examination and the condition of the affected areas.
What Happens After Periodontal Treatment?
Periodontal care does not end when the initial treatment is completed. Dr. Soliman will evaluate how your gums respond and determine what follow-up schedule is appropriate for maintaining periodontal health.
Ongoing care is especially important because gum disease can return or continue progressing when harmful buildup develops again. Consistent professional care and effective home hygiene work together to help maintain treatment results.
Can Gum Disease Cause Tooth Loss?
Yes. Periodontitis can damage the bone and other tissues that hold teeth in place. As that support is lost, teeth may become loose and, in advanced cases, may eventually be lost or require extraction.
That is why bleeding gums and other periodontal symptoms should not be ignored simply because they are not painful. Treating disease and maintaining healthier gums can help protect the structures that support your natural teeth.
Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush or Floss?
Bleeding gums can occur when gum tissue is inflamed, and gingivitis or periodontitis may be responsible. However, bleeding can have different causes, so an examination is the best way to determine what is happening.
If your gums bleed repeatedly when you brush or floss, schedule a dental evaluation rather than stopping your home-care routine because of the bleeding.
What Causes Persistent Bad Breath?
Persistent bad breath can have several causes, including dental and medical conditions. Gum disease is one possible dental cause because bacteria can collect around the gums and within periodontal pockets.
If brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue do not resolve ongoing bad breath, a dental examination can help identify whether gum disease or another oral health problem may be contributing.
Experienced Periodontal Care From Dr. Ihab Soliman
Dr. Ihab Soliman has practiced dentistry since 2011 and personally provides periodontal care at Henrietta Family Dental. His clinical experience includes more than 100 periodontal cases, supported by continuing education focused on periodontal treatment.
This experience allows Dr. Soliman to evaluate periodontal health as part of the larger picture of your oral health, including the condition of your teeth, existing restorations and the supporting structures needed to maintain a stable smile.
You can learn more about Dr. Ihab Soliman and his approach to comprehensive dental care.
Keeping Your Gums Healthy at Home
Professional periodontal care works best when it is supported by consistent oral hygiene at home. Dr. Soliman may recommend changes based on your individual periodontal needs, but important habits generally include:
- Brushing thoroughly twice each day
- Cleaning between your teeth every day
- Paying close attention to the gumline
- Following the professional cleaning or periodontal maintenance schedule recommended for you
- Avoiding tobacco use
- Reporting new bleeding, swelling or changes in your gums
If you are unsure whether your current brushing or interdental cleaning technique is effective, ask our team during your visit.
Can Gum Disease Come Back After Treatment?
Periodontal disease requires ongoing attention. Treatment can control the disease and improve periodontal health, but plaque and tartar can accumulate again over time.
Your recommended follow-up schedule will depend on your periodontal condition and response to treatment. Keeping those appointments and maintaining effective daily home care can reduce the risk of continued progression.
Periodontal Treatment FAQ
What is periodontal treatment?
Periodontal treatment is dental care focused on managing gum disease and protecting the tissues and bone that support your teeth. Treatment depends on the severity of disease and may include scaling and root planing, ongoing periodontal care or other therapies when appropriate.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Possible signs include bleeding gums, redness, swelling, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth or discomfort when chewing. Gum disease can also progress with few noticeable symptoms, so a dental examination is needed for an accurate diagnosis.
Is bleeding when I floss normal?
Occasional irritation can occur, but repeated bleeding may indicate gum inflammation or another problem that should be evaluated. Dr. Soliman can examine your gums and determine whether periodontal treatment is needed.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum inflammation that has not caused the supporting bone loss associated with periodontitis. Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease that affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth.
Is scaling and root planing the same as a regular cleaning?
No. A routine cleaning focuses primarily on deposits around the visible portions of the teeth and gumline. Scaling and root planing is a deeper periodontal treatment that cleans areas below the gumline and along the tooth roots when gum disease is present.
Does periodontal treatment hurt?
Your experience depends on the type and extent of treatment required. Dr. Soliman will explain what to expect and can discuss appropriate measures for keeping you comfortable during periodontal care.
Can gum disease cause bad breath?
Yes, gum disease can contribute to persistent bad breath because bacteria can collect around inflamed gums and within periodontal pockets. Other conditions can also cause bad breath, so an evaluation can help identify the source.
Can gum disease be treated without surgery?
Many periodontal problems can be managed initially with nonsurgical treatment such as scaling and root planing. The appropriate treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and how your gums respond to care.
Can gum disease make my teeth loose?
Advanced periodontal disease can damage the bone and tissues supporting the teeth, which may eventually lead to tooth mobility. Earlier evaluation and treatment can help control disease before additional supporting tissue is lost.
How often will I need periodontal care?
There is no single schedule that is right for every patient. Dr. Soliman will recommend follow-up care based on the severity of your gum disease, your response to treatment and your individual risk factors.
Where can I get periodontal treatment near Rochester, NY?
Dr. Soliman provides periodontal treatment at Henrietta Family Dental in Rochester, New York. Call 585-424-3310 to schedule an evaluation for bleeding gums, bad breath or other signs of gum disease.
Take Action Before Gum Disease Progresses
Bleeding, swelling, persistent bad breath and gum recession are signs worth addressing. Dr. Soliman can evaluate your periodontal health, explain what is causing the problem and recommend treatment based on your individual needs.
Call 585-424-3310 or contact our office to schedule periodontal treatment in Rochester, New York.