Periodontal Gum Disease

Protect Your Smile with Periodontal Gum Disease Treatment in Glen Ellyn

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you may be among the 60% of American adults who have periodontal gum disease. Many people dismiss bleeding gums as normal, but this bacterial infection of the gums, supporting tissues, and bone around your teeth requires professional attention to prevent serious complications. At Smile Glen Ellyn, Dr. Gibbs and our experienced team specialize in diagnosing and treating all stages of gum disease, from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, serving patients throughout Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, and all of DuPage County.

Early intervention is key to preserving your natural teeth and overall health. Our personalized treatment approach focuses not only on eliminating the bacterial infection but also on educating you about proper home care and addressing contributing factors to prevent recurrence. Don’t let gum disease silently destroy your oral health – professional treatment can save your teeth and protect your overall well-being.

If you’re searching for a dentist in Glen Ellyn who can treat gum disease, you’ve come to the right place! Call our dental practice near you at (630) 858-8800 to schedule your dental appointment. We proudly serve Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, and the surrounding DuPage County areas.

What is Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)?

If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned—yet, many people think it’s normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss. Periodontal gum disease is one of the most common diseases of mankind. Don’t be surprised if you’re told you have periodontal disease—about 60% of American adults do! Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, the supporting tissues of the teeth, and even the bone around the teeth.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States.

Why Choose Smile Glen Ellyn for Periodontal Treatment?

When you choose Smile Glen Ellyn for periodontal treatment, you’re working with Dr. Gibbs and a team that understands gum disease is more than just a dental problem – it’s a health issue that affects your entire well-being. Our comprehensive approach combines advanced diagnostic techniques with personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific stage of gum disease and individual risk factors. We don’t just treat the symptoms; we address the underlying causes and work with you to develop sustainable home care routines that prevent recurrence.

Our experienced hygienists are specially trained in periodontal therapy and provide gentle, thorough care using the latest techniques and technology. We also recognize that every patient’s situation is unique, whether dealing with genetic predisposition, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors that contribute to gum disease. That’s why we take time to educate you about your condition, involve you in treatment decisions, and provide ongoing support to help you maintain optimal gum health for life.

Common Types of Gum Disease

Although there are other less common types of gum disease often dismissed by the patient until irreversible damage is evident.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is extremely common affecting about 2/3rd of adults in varying amounts. It is the inflammation of the superficial areas of the gums with the accumulation of dental plaque and the contributory factors to gum disease previously listed. Using proper brushing and flossing and the reduction of the contributing factors listed above, gingivitis can usually be controlled. The daily elimination of dental plaque, elimination of tobacco usage, and correction of faulty dental restorations are the most important controlling factors. Periodic dental cleaning visits on a regular basis can eliminate destructive dental calculus (calcified plaque).

Periodontitis & the Progression of Periodontal Disease

If left uncontrolled, gingivitis often leads into a much more destructive form of gum disease known as periodontitis. With this form of gum periodontal disease the infection progresses into the destruction of the supporting bone supporting the roots of the teeth. Intervention of knowledgeable dental personnel is absolutely necessary to prevent the disease from progressing into tooth loss.

Please review the adjoining diagram. We often tell patients to think of the tooth being similar to a fingernail—there is naturally a “cleft” like structure around the tooth. In dentistry we call it a “pocket.” Bacteria can collect in the deeper pocket area and the progressive destruction of the tooth support and bone loss can ensue.

With periodontitis daily home care is necessary along with the elimination of contributing factors and the removal of dental calculus (“deep cleaning” or scaling). Once a diagnosis of periodontitis is made intervention is needed and periodic dental hygiene visits are required every 3 month as the bacteria typically need 10 to 14 weeks to cause additional bone loss.

Signs of Gum Disease

Typical gum disease symptoms include swollen, red, and tender gums. Factors to note:

Bleeding of the gums is no more normal than bleeding from any other part of your body! It is the body’s response to bacterial plaque—a bacterial infection of the gums.
Gum and periodontal disease are usually not painful and are often dismissed by the patient until the damage is extensive
Gum disease is generally progressive and rarely improves unless the previously listed contributory factors are eliminated along with daily removal of bacterial plaque using proper home care, or dental treatment in the office.
The appearance of “long teeth” and exposed roots us usually from improper brushing, clenching, or progressive gum disease. Also our section on recession.
Teeth becoming loose (tooth mobility) is usually from bone loss around the roots of the teeth is considered to be a sign of more advanced disease.
Teeth shifting positions is often from bone loss.
Bad tastes or odors in the mouth can be a sign of gum infection.
Painful chewing.
Measurements of the groove (gums) around the teeth by the dentist or dental hygienist called dental pockets. Dental pockets normally are 1-3mm deep. If they become deeper, dental intervention will probably be needed to eliminate the bacteria that accumulates before additional destruction of the tooth support ensues.

Causes of Gum Disease

Although periodontal disease is common, it is usually preventable. The cause of periodontal issues is usually poor or faulty oral hygiene. For instance, many people may brush regularly but not use dental floss, allowing gum disease to start between the teeth. Bacterial deposits build on the teeth and gums forming a film known as dental plaque. The bacterial plaque over time causes gum inflammation—over time the effects of gum disease can lead to tooth loss.

Over time the dental plaque may absorb chemicals from the saliva and can calcify forming a material known as dental calculus that CANNOT be removed with patient tooth brushing. A trained dental
hygienist must carefully remove dental calculus using proper instruments.

There are many contributing factors to periodontal gum disease such as:

Improper brushing or flossing. Our dental hygienist and assistants are experts in instructing patients on the best techniques to remove bacterial plaque.
Dental decay harbors many of the same bacteria that cause gum disease.
Faulty dental restorations such as rough, over-bulky, or leaking fillings may harbor bacteria that can’t be removed by the patient.
Improper or old dental fillings or crowns may allow for food impaction between the teeth leading to decay or gum disease.
Bad general health or untreated diseases such as diabetes. It should be noted (and discussed elsewhere) that there is a large correlation between gum disease and cardiac disease, strokes, diabetes, respiratory disease, and a large number of other systemic diseases.
Corresponding to bad health is bad nutrition and stress that weaken the body’s immune system and eventually leading to gum disease.
Tooth grinding or bruxism—causes the support of teeth to be over-stressed can greatly accelerate gum disease and tooth loss.
Missing teeth-lead to remaining teeth being compromised due to over-stress on the support system and the teeth themselves.
Genetics and family—Like it or not—members of the same family share many of the same bacteria! Also—some families genetically are more predisposed to gum disease.
Smoking and tobacco use are highly correlated to progressive periodontal disease.
Crowded teeth, dental partial dentures, and dental bridges may make effective removal of plaque difficult.
Persons with diminished manual coordination such as elderly, dementia, mentally handicapped, and patients with physical injuries have issues with dexterity which makes it difficult to keep the gums healthy and the teeth clean.

Obviously— gum disease is a multi-faceted disease with many factors.—If you suspect gum disease consult with a knowledgeable dentist who can help diagnose and control the disease before it advances!

Also see our sections on:

Gum Recession and Gummy Smiles

Replacing Missing Teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

Can gum disease be reversed or cured?

Gingivitis (early gum disease) can be completely reversed with proper treatment and home care. Advanced periodontitis cannot be cured but can be successfully controlled with professional treatment and maintenance to prevent further damage and tooth loss.

How often do I need periodontal maintenance in Glen Ellyn?

Patients with a history of gum disease typically need professional cleanings every three to four months instead of the standard six months. This frequency prevents bacterial buildup that can cause additional bone loss and helps maintain gum health long-term.

Is periodontal treatment painful?

Modern periodontal treatment is much more comfortable than in the past. We use local anesthesia during deep cleaning procedures, and most patients experience only mild discomfort afterward. We also offer sedation options for anxious patients.

Does insurance cover periodontal gum disease treatment?

Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal treatment as it’s considered medically necessary. Coverage varies by plan, but we’ll work with your insurance to maximize benefits and provide treatment estimates before beginning care.

Don't Let Gum Disease Steal Your Smile—Get Treatment Today!

Bleeding gums aren’t normal, and waiting won’t make gum disease go away. Dr. Gibbs and our skilled hygienists at Smile Glen Ellyn are experts in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease at every stage. From early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, we have the experience and advanced treatments to restore your gum health and save your natural teeth. Early treatment is always more comfortable and affordable than addressing advanced gum disease later.

Call our dental practice near you at (630) 858-8800 today to schedule your comprehensive periodontal evaluation! We proudly serve patients throughout Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Winfield, and all of DuPage County with gum disease treatment. Take control of your oral health now—your gums and your overall health will thank you.

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