What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. It begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation that causes red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and progresses to periodontitis, where the infection destroys the bone and tissue holding your teeth in place. Left untreated, it is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
We recommend treatment at the first signs of gum disease because early intervention can reverse damage and prevent serious consequences. As periodontists, we specialize specifically in diagnosing and treating gum disease at every stage, from the earliest inflammation to advanced cases that other providers may have called hopeless.
Patients typically come to us when they notice bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, or loose teeth, when their general dentist refers them for specialist care, or when they want a holistic approach that addresses the deep connection between gum health and whole body wellness.
Benefits, Why MD Periodontics
- Save your teeth, early and proper treatment by a periodontist can reverse early disease and stop advanced disease in its tracks
- Specialist level diagnosis, we use advanced imaging, periodontal probing, and bacterial analysis to identify the true cause of your disease, not just the symptoms
- Full range of solutions, from deep cleaning and laser therapy to regenerative surgery and gum grafting, all under one roof
- Whole body health protection, gum disease is strongly linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and dementia, and treating it supports far more than your smile
- Holistic, biologically minded care, we look at inflammation, nutrition, immune health, and lifestyle factors that drive gum disease, not just the bacteria
- Beverly Hills specialist expertise, Dr. Moshrefi has decades of experience treating gum disease at every stage, and Dr. Daneshmand brings USC-trained precision and a whole person approach to every treatment plan we design together
Who Is a Candidate?
Most patients showing signs of gum inflammation, infection, or bone loss are candidates for periodontal treatment. The right approach depends on the stage of your disease, the condition of your bone and gums, and your overall health, all of which we evaluate carefully.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Have bleeding, red, or swollen gums
- Notice persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- See gum recession or teeth that look longer than before
- Have loose teeth or teeth that have started to shift
- Have been told you have periodontal pockets or bone loss
- Have a family history of gum disease or tooth loss
- Have diabetes, heart disease, or another condition linked to chronic inflammation
- Want a specialist second opinion before agreeing to extractions
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking habits, active autoimmune flares, or specific medication regimens may need additional medical coordination, and we work closely with your physician when needed.
The Process
- Comprehensive Evaluation and 3D Imaging. We begin with a thorough exam, full medical history review, periodontal probing to measure pocket depths, and a 3D cone beam CT scan when needed. This shows us exactly how much bone has been affected and where.
- Personalized Diagnosis and Plan. Together, we identify the type and stage of your disease and design a clear plan. We review every option, from non-surgical therapy to advanced regenerative procedures, with honest guidance on what each approach can achieve.
- Active Treatment. Depending on your case, treatment may include deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), laser therapy, antimicrobial treatment, regenerative bone and tissue grafting, gum grafting, or surgical pocket reduction. Most therapy is completed comfortably under local anesthesia.
- Healing and Re-Evaluation. Your gums and bone heal over weeks to months depending on the procedures performed. We re-evaluate at follow-up visits to confirm pockets have shrunk, inflammation has resolved, and the disease is under control.
- Long Term Maintenance. Gum disease is a chronic condition, and ongoing care is essential. We design a personalized periodontal maintenance schedule, typically every 3 to 4 months, to protect your results and catch any recurrence early.
Recovery and What to Expect
Recovery depends on the type of treatment performed. Non-surgical deep cleaning involves little to no downtime. Surgical procedures typically include 24 to 72 hours of rest, with mild swelling and tenderness that respond well to ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Aftercare basics:
- Stick to soft foods for the first several days to a week after surgical treatment
- Avoid the treated areas when brushing for several days, then resume gentle cleaning with the tools we provide
- Rinse with warm salt water or prescribed antimicrobial rinses as we direct
- Skip strenuous exercise for 3 to 5 days after surgery
- Avoid smoking, which dramatically reduces healing and is one of the strongest risk factors for recurrence
- Stay hydrated and focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition during healing
- Keep all follow-up and maintenance appointments
Call our office if you experience heavy bleeding that does not slow within an hour, severe pain not relieved by medication, fever over 101°F, persistent numbness, drainage from a treated site, or swelling that worsens after day three.
FAQ
The most common early signs are red, swollen, or bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing. Advanced signs include persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, pus around the gum line, and changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite.
The most common early signs are red, swollen, or bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing. Advanced signs include persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, pus around the gum line, and changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage, is fully reversible with proper professional care and home hygiene. Periodontitis, the advanced stage, cannot be reversed, but it can be effectively stopped and managed, and lost tissue and bone can sometimes be regenerated with specialist treatment.
No. Treatments are performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report far less discomfort than they expected. We offer sedation options for surgical procedures or for patients who prefer extra comfort.
Most dental insurance plans offer partial coverage for periodontal treatment, with higher coverage for medically necessary advanced care. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket costs clearly before treatment begins.
Periodontists are the dental specialists trained specifically in gum disease and the supporting structures of teeth. We complete several additional years of training beyond dental school focused on advanced diagnosis, surgery, and regenerative therapy. Complex or advanced cases consistently benefit from specialist care.
Gum disease is strongly linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, and certain cancers. The chronic inflammation and bacteria from infected gums travel throughout the body, contributing to inflammation elsewhere. Treating gum disease is one of the most important things you can do for your whole body wellness.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes bacterial plaque and tartar below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces, allowing the gums to reattach. It is the foundation of non-surgical periodontal therapy and the first step in most treatment plans.
In many cases, yes. Advanced regenerative procedures using bone grafts, growth factors, and specialized membranes can rebuild lost bone and tissue. The success of regeneration depends on the type and extent of the defect, which we evaluate during your consultation.
LANAP is a minimally invasive laser therapy that treats periodontitis without traditional scalpels or sutures. It selectively removes diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissue, often with faster healing and less discomfort than conventional surgery. We discuss whether you are a candidate during your evaluation.
Yes, gum disease is a chronic condition, and recurrence is possible without ongoing care. Personalized periodontal maintenance every 3 to 4 months, combined with excellent home care, dramatically reduces the risk of recurrence and protects your long term results.
Yes. Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for gum disease, severely impairs healing, masks early warning signs, and significantly reduces the success of treatment. Quitting before and during treatment makes a dramatic difference in long term results.
Not until the disease is fully controlled. Implants placed in active disease have much higher failure rates. We treat the gum disease first, stabilize the foundation, and then plan implants on healthy supporting tissue, which is exactly how implants are meant to succeed.
