Bleeding gums are not something you should learn to live with. Gum disease treatment in San Diego, CA at Radiant Smiles Dentistry stops the infection at its source, protects the bone that holds your teeth in place, and gets your mouth healthy again so you can smile with confidence.
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and the bone that supports your teeth, caused by plaque and tartar that collect below the gumline. It begins as gingivitis, a reversible inflammation of the gum tissue. Left untreated, it advances to periodontitis, where bone loss becomes permanent and teeth can loosen or shift.
Plaque forms on your teeth every single day. When it isn't cleaned away thoroughly, it hardens into tartar that brushing alone cannot remove, and the bacteria trapped underneath keep irritating the gum tissue and the bone beneath it.
The frustrating part? Early gum disease rarely hurts. Most people feel fine while the infection quietly works below the gumline.
Common signs include:
Plaque is the main culprit, but several factors raise your risk: smoking or vaping, diabetes, family history, dry mouth from certain medications, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and skipping regular cleanings. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease ranks among the leading causes of tooth loss in adults . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tracks how widespread periodontal disease is among American adults, and the numbers are higher than most people expect .
Dentists describe gum disease in four stages, measured in part by how deep the space (or "pocket") between your gum and tooth has become:
Catching gum disease early changes the outcome. Treatment at the gingivitis or early periodontitis stage is simpler, gentler, and far less costly than rebuilding a smile after teeth are lost.
Early gum disease treatment gives you:
Our team takes a whole-person approach, because your gums affect much more than your smile. Patient education matters here too. When you understand what's happening below the gumline, home care gets easier and results last longer.
Gum disease treatment follows a step-by-step plan: measure the pockets, clear out the bacteria, rebuild what was lost if needed, then keep it stable with maintenance visits. Most patients in San Diego start with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, and only advance to surgical or regenerative care if pockets stay deep.
Your visit begins with a full evaluation. We measure pocket depths around every tooth, check for recession and bleeding points, and test tooth mobility.
Digital panoramic imaging and bitewing X-rays show us the bone level underneath, which is the part you can't see in a mirror. Our FDA-approved decay detection camera helps us catch problem areas early . Then we walk you through exactly what we found, on screen, in plain language.
Most cases respond well to non-surgical care.
Scaling and root planing removes hardened tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so tissue can reattach. We numb the area first, so you stay comfortable. Antimicrobial rinses or locally placed antibiotics may be added to knock down remaining bacteria, and laser therapy can help reduce inflammation in stubborn pockets.
Sometimes pockets stay too deep to clean at home, no matter how well you brush. Pocket reduction surgery folds the gum tissue back, thoroughly cleans the root and bone surface, then secures the gums snugly against the tooth. Crown lengthening reshapes gum and bone to expose more tooth structure, which also helps when a crown needs a stable foundation.
When bone or gum tissue is already gone, we can rebuild. Guided tissue regeneration uses a membrane to encourage new bone and ligament growth. Bone grafting restores lost support around a tooth or prepares a site for an implant. Soft tissue grafting covers exposed roots and thickens thin gums, while ridge augmentation rebuilds a collapsed jaw ridge before tooth replacement.
Periodontitis is a chronic condition, so upkeep is part of the plan. Instead of a standard cleaning twice a year, most patients switch to periodontal maintenance every three to four months. We re-measure pockets at each visit to confirm things stay stable.
If your gums bleed, you're likely a candidate. Healthy gums don't bleed when you brush or floss.
Run through this quick checklist:
Certain groups face higher risk: smokers, people managing diabetes, adults over 30, and anyone with a parent or sibling who lost teeth to gum disease. Pregnancy hormones can also make gums more reactive.
Planning cosmetic or restorative work? Periodontal therapy usually comes first. Implants need solid bone, and veneers look best framed by healthy, even gum tissue.
Come in right away if you have pus, facial swelling, throbbing pain, or a tooth that suddenly feels loose. An abscess needs prompt attention. Otherwise, schedule a routine periodontal evaluation at our cozy, modern office in San Diego and we'll take it from there.
You shouldn't need three different offices to treat one condition. Radiant Smiles Dentistry handles periodontal care from start to finish, including deep cleanings, laser therapy, pocket reduction, grafting, and long-term maintenance.
What you'll find at our cozy, modern office in San Diego, CA:
Gingivitis is reversible. With a professional cleaning and consistent brushing and flossing, inflamed gums can return to full health with no lasting damage. Periodontitis is different, because bone loss doesn't grow back on its own. It can be controlled and stabilized with treatment and regular maintenance, and grafting can rebuild some of what was lost.
Not during the procedure. We use local anesthetic to numb the area, so you feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Afterward, expect mild sensitivity to cold and slightly tender gums for a few days, which usually responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers and warm salt water rinses.
Cost depends on the severity, how many areas of the mouth need treatment, and whether surgical or regenerative care is involved. Scaling and root planing sits at the lower end, while grafting and pocket reduction surgery cost more. Most dental plans cover a portion of periodontal deep cleanings and maintenance visits. Call our cozy, modern office at (858) 360-8566 and we'll review your specific benefits before you commit to anything.
A deep cleaning typically takes one or two visits, often split by side of the mouth. Surgical procedures are done in a single appointment, with roughly four to six weeks of tissue healing and a follow-up to check progress. Grafting takes longer to fully integrate. After active treatment, maintenance visits every three to four months become your new routine.
Gum tissue doesn't regrow on its own once it has receded, but it can be replaced. Soft tissue grafting covers exposed roots and rebuilds thin, worn gumlines. Bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration can restore lost bone support around a tooth. Results depend on how much was lost and how well the site heals.
The infection keeps advancing. Pockets deepen, bone continues to disappear, gums recede further, and teeth eventually loosen and are lost. Ongoing periodontal inflammation has also been linked to heart disease and poorer blood sugar control. Treating it early is always simpler than replacing teeth later.
Waiting doesn't make gum disease go away, it just makes treatment bigger. Every month of untreated infection costs you a little more bone, and bone is what keeps your teeth anchored.
Radiant Smiles Dentistry welcomes new patients from San Diego, 4S Ranch, and Dove Canyon. Our team will review your insurance and payment options before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
Call (858) 360-8566 or request your visit online, and let's get your gums healthy so you can look and feel your best.