Periodontal Services at Iris Dental
Our gum care ranges from early, conservative steps to focused treatment for infection below the gumline. Each service below has its own page with more detail as it becomes available, and you can see how they fit with the rest of our care on our full list of dental services.
- Gum Disease Treatment
- Scaling and Root Planing
Already know your gums need attention? Request a gum evaluation and we’ll start with a full exam.
What Is Periodontal Care?
Periodontal care is the part of dentistry focused on the gums and bone that support your teeth. It includes regular gum checks during cleanings, treatment for gum inflammation and infection, and ongoing follow-up visits for patients who’ve had gum disease. The goal is to keep teeth firmly anchored for life. Healthy gums fit snugly around each tooth, while infected gums pull away and form pockets where bacteria collect. Periodontal care works to stop that process early, reverse it where possible, and keep it from coming back once it’s under control. It’s preventive and restorative at the same time.
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Gum Problems?
The earliest signs are usually bleeding gums when you brush or floss and gums that look red or puffy instead of pale pink. Other warning signs to watch for:
- Breath that stays bad even after brushing
- Receding gums that make teeth look longer
- Tenderness when chewing
- New spaces opening up between teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or bite differently than before
Because gum disease is rarely painful at first, many people notice nothing until it’s advanced. If you spot any of these, schedule a gum check soon rather than waiting for your next routine visit.
What Is the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage of gum disease, while periodontitis is the advanced stage where the infection damages bone. With gingivitis, plaque irritates the gums so they bleed and swell, but the bone and the attachment holding teeth in place are still intact. A good cleaning and better daily habits can clear it up within a few weeks. Periodontitis happens when that inflammation goes untreated and spreads below the gumline, creating pockets and slowly breaking down bone. Lost bone doesn’t grow back on its own, so treatment shifts from reversing damage to stopping it and protecting what’s left.
How Is Gum Health Checked During a Dental Visit?
Your gums are checked by measuring the pocket around each tooth with a thin, marked probe. Healthy pockets measure about one to three millimeters. Readings of four millimeters or more, especially with bleeding, point toward gum disease. Your hygienist records several measurements per tooth, so changes from one visit to the next are easy to track. We also look at X-rays to see the bone level, check for loose teeth, and note any recession. Dr. Andy Tran and Dr. Fatimah review those findings with you and explain if your gums need anything beyond a routine cleaning.
Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
Early gum disease can be reversed, but advanced gum disease can only be controlled. Gingivitis clears up once plaque and tartar are removed and daily brushing and flossing improve, often within a couple of weeks. Once periodontitis has caused bone loss, that bone won’t regrow on its own. Treatment then focuses on removing infection below the gumline, letting the gums tighten back around the teeth, and keeping pockets from deepening. With consistent care, many patients keep their natural teeth for decades after a diagnosis. The key is acting early, before pockets get deep enough to threaten the teeth.
How Are Gum Health and Overall Health Connected?
Gum disease is linked to several conditions elsewhere in the body, especially diabetes and heart disease. Researchers believe ongoing inflammation in the gums can affect inflammation throughout the body, and the link with diabetes runs both ways: poorly controlled blood sugar makes gum infections worse, and gum infections make blood sugar harder to manage. Smoking, pregnancy, and certain medications also raise the risk. You can read more about how periodontal disease develops and who it affects. Letting the Iris Dental team know about health changes helps us adjust your gum care.
What Does Ongoing Periodontal Maintenance Look Like?
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning, usually every three to four months, for patients who’ve been treated for gum disease. It goes deeper than a standard six-month cleaning. At each visit, the hygienist:
- Measures pocket depths to confirm they’re holding steady
- Cleans below the gumline where bacteria tend to return
- Checks for new recession, bleeding, or loose teeth
- Reviews home care and adjusts it if trouble spots appear
The shorter interval matters, because the bacteria behind gum disease rebuild in about three months. Staying on schedule is one of the strongest predictors of keeping your teeth long-term.
How Much Does Periodontal Treatment Cost?
The cost of periodontal treatment depends on how advanced the problem is and how many areas of the mouth need care. Treating gingivitis with a thorough cleaning costs much less than deep cleaning several sections of the mouth, which is one reason early treatment saves money. Maintenance visits cost more than a routine cleaning but less than repeated deep cleanings. Iris Dental accepts Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal, which can cover gum treatment for eligible patients when it’s medically necessary. We’ll explain your estimate before treatment starts and can set up flexible payment arrangements for any balance.
Why Choose Iris Dental for Periodontal Care
Many of our patients have trusted Iris Dental for six or seven years and longer, and gum care is a big part of why that relationship matters. We track your measurements over time, so we notice small changes before they turn into bone loss. You’ll get honest explanations without judgment, even if it’s been a while since your last visit, and gentle care from a team that patients describe as treating them like family.
Keep Your Gums Healthy with Iris Dental
Bleeding, puffy, or receding gums are your mouth asking for help, and early care makes all the difference. Iris Dental in Lemon Grove, CA, checks your gums at every visit, explains what we find in plain language, and accepts Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal. Call (619) 589-0777 to schedule a gum evaluation and protect the teeth you have.