Our Treatment Approach
For patients whose gum disease has progressed beyond what a routine cleaning can address, we recommend scaling and root planing — a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline using both ultrasonic and hand instruments, typically completed over more than one visit. In more advanced cases, we may coordinate care with a periodontal specialist.
Signs You May Have Gum Disease
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums pulling away from your teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
How Treatment Progresses
- Catching itGum disease is often found during a routine cleaning — bleeding, pocket depth, or bone loss visible on X-ray, before you'd notice anything yourself.
- Deep cleaningEarly to moderate gum disease is usually treated with scaling and root planing — a deeper cleaning below the gumline than a standard visit.
- Follow-upGum health is checked again a few weeks later to see how the tissue is responding.
- Ongoing maintenanceMore frequent cleanings than the standard twice-a-year schedule are common afterward, to keep it from coming back.
From Dr. Ali
Gum disease is quiet — most people don't feel anything until it's fairly advanced. That's why I flag it early and show you what I'm seeing rather than wait until it's obvious. If I tell you your gums need attention, it's because something specific showed up in the exam, not a routine upsell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Bleeding when you brush or floss is the most common early sign, though it often causes no pain at all in the early stages — which is why it's usually caught at a cleaning, not at home.
Is scaling and root planing painful?
Some patients feel more sensitivity than a regular cleaning, and we can numb the area if needed. It's more thorough, not necessarily more uncomfortable.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is very treatable. More advanced periodontal disease can be managed and stabilized, though some effects aren't fully reversible — which is the case for catching it early.
Will I need more frequent visits after treatment?
Often yes, at least for a while — Dr. Ali will recommend a maintenance schedule based on how your gums respond to initial treatment.
Related Services
Gum health is checked at every routine visit, which is usually how this gets caught in the first place.
Ready to schedule?
Give us a call — we'll find a time that works for you.