Preventive Care
Periodontal (Gum) Care
Treatment for gum disease, from deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) to ongoing maintenance that protects your gums and teeth.
Healthy gums are the foundation your teeth stand on, and one of the clearest places where oral health meets whole-body health. Periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection of the tissues and bone that support your teeth, and it’s the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It’s also often painless in its early stages, which is why we measure and monitor your gums, not just look at them, at every hygiene visit.
Who this affects
Any of these are worth mentioning at your next visit:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gums that look red, puffy, or tender
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that feel loose or seem to be shifting
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth
- A family history of gum disease
Many patients have none of these signs. We typically find early gum disease through routine periodontal measurements, the small pocket depths recorded around each tooth, before it’s something you’d notice on your own.
How we treat it here
When gum disease is caught early (gingivitis), a thorough professional cleaning and better home care can often reverse it. When it’s progressed further, we recommend scaling and root planing: a deeper cleaning that removes bacteria and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots so irritated tissue can reattach and heal. We numb the area first with the STA Wand, a computer-controlled anesthesia system that delivers the numbing more slowly and evenly than a traditional syringe, so the shot itself is far more comfortable than people expect.
Once the infection is under control, we move to a personalized periodontal maintenance schedule, cleanings spaced more closely than the standard six months, that keeps it from coming back. These visits use the same gentle ultrasonic instruments as a routine cleaning, just focused on the areas that need the closest attention.
Why we take it seriously
As a Complete Health practice, we treat gum inflammation as more than a dental issue. It protects your teeth, and it also removes a source of chronic inflammation that research has linked to cardiovascular health, among other systemic conditions, more on those connections in our Healthy Life Baseline. If it’s been a while since your gums were measured, or you’ve noticed any of the signs above, book a visit here in Thousand Oaks and let’s take a look.
Common questions
What are the signs of gum disease?
Common signs include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, receding gums, and teeth that feel loose. Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, which is why regular screenings matter.
What is scaling and root planing?
It’s a deeper cleaning, done with local anesthetic so you stay comfortable. We remove bacteria and tartar from below the gumline and smooth the tooth roots so your gums can reattach and heal.
Why does gum health matter for the rest of my body?
Research has linked periodontal disease to broader health concerns, including cardiovascular health. Treating gum inflammation is a core part of our Complete Health approach to dentistry.
Does smoking affect gum health?
Yes. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer, one more reason regular periodontal care and cleanings matter if you smoke or have smoked in the past.