Periodontal & Gum Disease FAQ

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Periodontal disease -often called gum disease- is typically characterized by red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums. For some patients, however, they may experience few or no symptoms. At Grimes Dentistry, our veteran dental hygienists, experienced doctors, and team periodontist are highly trained to diagnose and treat gum disease.

What should I do if my gums bleed when I brush?

Having your teeth cleaned at Grimes Dentistry and improving how well you brush and floss may resolve your bleeding gums. If your gum disease has progressed, we will need to deep clean your teeth using local anesthesia. Because periodontal disease is progressive, it’s critical to remove the calculous and infection as soon as possible to stop the disease from spreading.

When do I need to schedule to have my gums evaluated?

Remember, for some people gum disease has no obvious symptoms, so you need to see our experts at Grimes Dentistry to evaluate the health of your gums regularly. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms below, it is important that you schedule an appointment right away:

  • Bleeding while eating or brushing
  • Bad breath 
  • Loose teeth and gum recession 
  • Related health conditions –Gum infections can spread through the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. Heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis are highly correlated with periodontitis and periodontal infections.

What if my bone has already deteriorated?

The Grimes Dentistry doctors are trained to reverse many types of periodontal disease. We can treat your gums using the latest in dental technology to regrow bone you have lost.