Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) in Evanston, IL

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is fully reversible. With a professional cleaning and better daily brushing and flossing, inflamed gums can return to a healthy state.

Once gum disease progresses to periodontitis, the bone and tissue that have already broken down cannot grow back, so at that point the disease is managed rather than cured. The goal shifts to stopping further damage and protecting the support your teeth still have, which is exactly why early detection matters so much.

The bacteria that cause gum disease can pass between people through saliva, for instance by sharing utensils or cups, or through kissing. That means it is technically possible to pick up some of the same bacteria as a partner or family member who has gum disease.

Carrying those bacteria doesn't guarantee you'll develop gum disease yourself, though. Your immune system, how consistently you brush and floss, and other individual risk factors all play a role in whether the disease actually takes hold. Good oral hygiene remains your best protection, even if someone close to you has periodontal disease.

A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, clears plaque and hardened tartar from below the gum line, in the pockets that a regular cleaning cannot reach. The tooth root surfaces are then smoothed so the gum tissue can reattach more tightly against the tooth.

Because this reaches below the gum line, a deep cleaning is performed under local anesthesia for comfort, and stands as the standard first-line treatment for gum disease before any more advanced care is considered.

Because the area is numbed with local anesthesia during the procedure, what most patients notice during a deep cleaning is pressure and the sound of the instruments rather than sharp pain. Tell us if anything feels sharp and we will pause and add more anesthetic. Once the numbness wears off, it is normal for the gums to feel tender or mildly sore for a few days, similar to the soreness you might feel after a particularly thorough regular cleaning.

A little planning makes the first few days easier:

• Mild soreness or sensitivity to hot and cold is common and typically fades within a few days
• Slight gum tenderness or minor bleeding when brushing can occur briefly as the tissue heals
• Over-the-counter pain relief and a soft-food diet for a day or two usually keep you comfortable
• Rinsing gently with warm salt water can soothe the gums while they recover

Most patients are back to their normal routine within a few days. If you notice pain that worsens instead of improves, or if swelling and discomfort last longer than a week, contact our office so we can take a look.

Rather than the standard 6-month schedule, patients being treated for gum disease typically need periodontal maintenance visits every 3–4 months. These more frequent cleanings remove bacteria before it has a chance to rebuild in the pockets around your teeth, which is especially important once periodontitis has set in.

Our Evanston, IL office sets the exact interval based on how your gums respond to treatment. Many patients stay on this closer schedule indefinitely to keep the disease under control, while others can eventually return to more standard visits once their gum health stabilizes.

Research has linked periodontal disease to a higher risk of several conditions beyond the mouth, including:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes complications
• Respiratory problems
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes

These are associations researchers have observed, not proof that gum disease directly causes any of these conditions. Still, treating gum disease is about more than saving your teeth. It's one more piece of protecting your whole-body health, especially if you already manage a condition like diabetes or heart disease.

Smoking ranks among the most significant risk factors for developing gum disease and for making it worse once it starts. Tobacco use restricts blood flow to the gum tissue, which both encourages bacteria to thrive and makes it harder for your gums to fight off the resulting infection.

Smokers who develop gum disease also tend to have deeper pockets, more tartar buildup, and greater bone loss than nonsmokers with a similar level of plaque. Tobacco use additionally slows healing after any gum treatment, so quitting is one of the most impactful things you can do for your gum health, both to prevent gum disease and to help treatment work better.

When you first start a flossing routine, especially after not flossing regularly, a little light bleeding for the first few days is normal as your gums adjust. It usually settles down within a week or two of consistent flossing.

Bleeding that continues past that point, or that happens regularly when you brush or floss, is a classic sign of gingivitis and shouldn't be ignored. Schedule an evaluation so we can assess your gum health, since the earlier gum disease is caught, the easier it is to treat.

The cost of treating gum disease depends on how advanced the disease is and which treatment you need. A deep cleaning costs considerably less than the surgical procedures sometimes needed for advanced periodontitis, and ongoing periodontal maintenance visits are priced similarly to a regular cleaning.

Before any treatment begins, our Evanston, IL office provides a detailed plan with clear costs so there are no surprises. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer financing options to help make treatment fit your budget.

Yes, though it may take a bit more diligence. Genetics can make you more susceptible to gum disease, but a family history does not make it inevitable.

Consistent brushing and flossing, regular professional cleanings, avoiding tobacco, and keeping conditions like diabetes well managed all significantly reduce your risk, even with a genetic predisposition. Dr. Andre Amarante can also watch your gums more closely at each visit if you mention a family history, so any early changes are caught right away.