Gum disease is the leading reason adults lose teeth — yet it often develops slowly and without obvious pain. Research shows periodontal conditions affect a large portion of the adult population, but many cases can be prevented or controlled with timely care. At the office of Smiles for Life, we provide a full spectrum of periodontal services designed to protect your gum health and preserve your natural smile.
“Gum disease” describes a range of inflammatory conditions that damage the tissues that surround and support teeth. These problems begin when bacterial plaque and hardened tartar accumulate along the gumline and beneath the gums. The body’s immune response to those bacteria produces inflammation, and over time that inflammatory process can cause attachment loss and bone resorption.
In many cases the early stages produce few dramatic symptoms, which is why routine dental exams and professional cleanings are so important. Detecting disease early makes it far easier to reverse or control progression, while delaying care increases the likelihood of permanent tissue loss and more invasive treatment.
Being informed about the typical signs of periodontal trouble helps you act quickly. Paying attention to changes in your gums, bite, or the feel of your teeth enables earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes.
Common signs that warrant evaluation include:
Red, swollen, or tender gums that stay inflamed
Gums that bleed during brushing or when you floss
Gum recession exposing more of the tooth or root
Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets
Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste
Teeth that feel loose or unstable
New gaps forming between teeth or changes in how your teeth fit together
A partial denture that no longer fits comfortably
Pus or discharge near the gumline
Discomfort when biting or chewing
Oral health doesn’t exist in isolation: the condition of the gums can influence, and be influenced by, general health. A growing body of evidence links chronic periodontal inflammation with systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes management challenges, and respiratory concerns. Controlling gum inflammation is therefore an important part of preserving whole-body health.
From a functional standpoint, healthy periodontal tissues keep teeth firmly anchored and help maintain proper chewing and speech. When the supporting tissues break down, chewing forces shift and neighboring teeth can experience increased wear or mobility, which can cascade into more complex dental problems.
Prevention and early treatment are the cornerstones of minimizing these broader health risks. Routine assessments, careful hygiene at home, and a consistent maintenance schedule help reduce bacterial load and lower the chronic inflammatory burden in the mouth.
Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible phase of gum disease. It is a sign that plaque control needs improvement but—importantly—is typically treatable without surgical intervention. You may notice sore or easily bleeding gums, mild swelling, or a change in gum color, but many people first learn they have gingivitis during a dental visit.
With focused attention on daily brushing and flossing, combined with professional cleanings, gingivitis can usually be resolved and the tissues restored to health. A tailored home-care plan and short-term professional support are often sufficient to stop progression and prevent tissue damage.
Addressing gingivitis promptly preserves the structures that hold your teeth and reduces the chance of needing deeper therapies down the road. Regular monitoring helps ensure that initial improvements are sustained and that any recurring inflammation is managed quickly.
If inflammatory changes continue unchecked, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis — a stage in which the connective tissue and bone that secure teeth begin to deteriorate. This process increases pocket depths around teeth, causes gum recession, and can lead to loosening or loss of teeth if not controlled.
Periodontitis varies in severity and rate of progression from person to person. Factors such as smoking, certain medications, systemic diseases, and genetic predisposition can all influence how rapidly tissue breakdown occurs and the types of treatment necessary to stabilize the condition.
The primary goals of periodontal care at this stage are to stop the bacterial assault, reduce inflammation, and preserve remaining tissue and bone whenever possible. Many modern techniques aim to repair damage and restore a healthier environment for the gums and teeth.
Choosing the right treatment begins with a thorough clinical exam and, when appropriate, diagnostic imaging. Your dentist will evaluate pocket depths, tissue attachment, bone levels, and risk factors to design an individualized plan. Conservative measures are typically attempted first, with more advanced therapies reserved for cases that need them.
Non-surgical strategies focus on reducing plaque and bacterial reservoirs. These approaches are often highly effective when implemented alongside a fortified home care routine and periodic maintenance visits. If pockets are deep or tissue loss is significant, surgical or regenerative procedures may be recommended to restore healthier anatomy and make oral hygiene more manageable.
Throughout treatment, clinicians emphasize clear communication and follow-up care so you understand the intended outcome, the steps involved, and how to maintain results once active therapy is complete.
When disease is detected early, conservative care is the preferred route because it preserves tissue and focuses on reversing the inflammatory process. Scaling and root planing — a method of removing plaque and hardened deposits below the gumline and smoothing root surfaces — is the core nonsurgical treatment for many cases.
These procedures reduce bacterial reservoirs and allow the gum tissue to reattach more closely to the tooth, which reduces pocket depth and diminishes inflammation. In some situations, localized antimicrobial agents or short courses of medication are used alongside mechanical cleaning to improve outcomes.
Successful nonsurgical treatment depends on excellent home care and a schedule of professional maintenance appointments to prevent recurrence. For many patients, this approach restores stability and postpones or eliminates the need for surgery.
If conservative measures do not achieve adequate control, the clinical team will explain next-step options and the reasons they are recommended, always prioritizing the least invasive choice that achieves the treatment goals.
Surgery is considered when pocket depths exceed the reach of nonsurgical tools or when structural repair is necessary. Common procedures include flap (pocket) surgery to access and thoroughly debride root surfaces, and bone or tissue grafts aimed at rebuilding lost support when conditions allow.
The objectives of surgical treatment are to remove hard-to-reach bacteria, reduce pocket depth so daily cleaning is effective, and, when possible, regenerate lost tissue. Modern techniques may incorporate suturing, graft materials, and biologic agents to encourage tissue integration and healing.
Technology such as dental lasers can sometimes supplement or replace traditional approaches for select procedures; when used appropriately, lasers can help reduce inflammation and refine tissue contours. Your clinician will discuss the safest, evidence-based options that best fit your situation.
After surgery, a structured maintenance program and excellent oral hygiene are essential to protect the surgical results and preserve long-term periodontal stability.
Smiles for Life offers comprehensive periodontal care that combines preventive guidance, conservative treatments, and advanced surgical options when needed. Our team is committed to helping patients maintain healthy gums and stable dental foundations through individualized care plans and ongoing support.
If you have questions about periodontal health or want to learn which treatment approach is best for you, please contact us for more information.
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 Smiles for Life, 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 a group of inflammatory conditions that affect the gums and the supporting structures around teeth, including the periodontal ligament and jawbone. It begins when bacterial plaque accumulates along the gumline and below the gums, provoking an immune response that produces inflammation and, over time, can lead to attachment loss and bone resorption. Early stages are reversible, but unchecked inflammation can progress to more advanced tissue destruction.
Because symptoms are often mild at first, routine dental exams and professional cleanings are essential to identify disease before permanent damage occurs. A combination of clinical assessment and patient history helps clinicians determine the stage of disease and the most appropriate care pathway. Timely intervention improves the likelihood of preserving natural teeth and restoring healthy tissues.
Common warning signs include persistent red, swollen, or tender gums; bleeding during brushing or flossing; and gum recession that exposes more of the tooth or root. Other indicators are increased tooth sensitivity, chronic bad breath, loosening teeth, new gaps between teeth, pus near the gumline, and discomfort when biting or chewing.
Not all patients experience dramatic symptoms, so changes in how your teeth feel or fit together also warrant evaluation. If you notice any of these signs, scheduling an exam allows the dental team to measure pocket depths, assess tissue attachment, and begin appropriate treatment before progression occurs.
Several factors can raise the risk of periodontal disease, including tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, certain medications that affect saliva or gum health, and systemic conditions such as diabetes. Genetic predisposition and age also influence susceptibility, as does prolonged stress and nutritional deficiencies that impair immune response.
Identifying and managing risk factors is a key part of treatment planning because they affect both progression and response to therapy. Your dental team will review medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors to tailor prevention and treatment strategies that address your specific risks.
Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, assessing gum attachment and recession, and checking tooth mobility and bite relationships. Diagnostic imaging, such as dental X-rays, is often used to evaluate bone levels and identify areas of hidden bone loss or infection that are not visible during the clinical exam.
A thorough assessment of risk factors and oral hygiene practices complements the clinical findings to create an individualized diagnosis. This information guides the recommended treatment approach and establishes benchmarks for monitoring response to therapy over time.
Non-surgical therapies focus on removing plaque and hardened deposits that harbor bacteria beneath the gumline and on smoothing root surfaces to promote reattachment of the gum tissue. Scaling and root planing are core procedures in this category and are often paired with localized antimicrobial agents or short courses of medication when clinically appropriate.
These conservative measures are typically combined with a tailored home-care plan and a schedule of professional maintenance visits to control bacterial load and inflammation. Many patients achieve disease stability with nonsurgical therapy when they follow recommended hygiene practices and attend regular follow-up appointments.
Surgical treatment is considered when pocket depths or tissue loss exceed the reach of nonsurgical instruments or when structural repair is needed to restore a healthy environment for the gums and teeth. Common procedures include flap surgery to access and debride root surfaces and bone or soft-tissue grafts designed to rebuild lost support when the clinical situation permits regeneration.
The goals of surgery are to remove hard-to-reach bacterial reservoirs, reduce pocket depths to make daily cleaning effective, and, when possible, regenerate lost tissue and bone. Your clinician will discuss the expected benefits, potential risks, and the postoperative maintenance required to protect long-term results.
Modern technologies such as dental lasers can supplement traditional periodontal therapies in select cases by reducing inflammation, refining tissue contours, and aiding decontamination of periodontal pockets. When used appropriately and as part of an evidence-based plan, these tools may offer clinical advantages like minimized bleeding and more precise tissue management.
Technology is a complement, not a replacement, for fundamental periodontal care that includes mechanical removal of plaque and thorough clinical assessment. Your dental team will recommend technology-based options only when they align with your clinical needs and the best available evidence.
Daily plaque control is the foundation of prevention: thorough brushing twice a day, daily interdental cleaning with floss or interdental brushes, and using an antimicrobial mouthrinse when recommended all help reduce bacterial load. Maintaining regular professional cleanings and periodontal assessments allows clinicians to remove deposits you cannot reach and to detect early signs of disease.
Addressing modifiable risk factors—such as quitting tobacco, managing systemic conditions like diabetes, and following medication guidance—also supports gum health. Your clinician can provide a personalized home-care routine and demonstrate techniques to improve oral hygiene effectiveness.
Periodontal maintenance is an ongoing program of professional cleanings and examinations scheduled at intervals determined by disease severity and response to treatment, typically more frequent than routine dental visits. These appointments include careful removal of new plaque and calculus, pocket monitoring, reinforcement of home-care techniques, and early identification of any recurring inflammation.
Consistent maintenance is critical to preserving treatment gains and preventing relapse, since periodontal disease is chronic in nature for many patients. Your dental team will adjust the maintenance plan as needed to maintain stability and protect supporting tissues over the long term.
The practice begins with a comprehensive exam that includes a detailed review of your medical history, clinical measurements of pocket depths and attachment levels, and appropriate imaging to assess bone health. Based on these findings, the team develops a personalized treatment plan that prioritizes conservative options and explains next steps, expected outcomes, and maintenance requirements.
Our goal is to provide clear communication and evidence-based care so you can make informed decisions about your oral health. To schedule an evaluation at our West Des Moines office, call (515) 223-4194 or visit the office at 2829 Westown Pkwy, Suite 115 for an appointment and consultation.