There are two stages, and the difference between them matters.
Gingivitis affects the gum tissue only. Gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, professional cleaning and improved home care can return the gums to full health with no permanent damage.
Periodontitis develops when gingivitis is left untreated. Infection spreads below the gumline, pockets form between the gum and tooth, and the bone supporting the teeth begins to break down. Bone loss cannot be reversed — but it can be stopped.
At Rita Marroghi DDS, we assess the depth of the pockets around your teeth to determine which stage you are at, then treat accordingly.
Treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed.
For gingivitis, a thorough professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline is usually sufficient, along with guidance on home care. Gums typically respond within a few weeks.
For periodontitis, treatment involves scaling and root planing — often called a deep cleaning. Scaling removes hardened tartar from below the gumline. Root planing smooths the root surfaces so the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth and pockets can shrink.
The area is numbed first, and treatment is usually completed over two visits, treating one side of the mouth at a time. Some tenderness afterward is normal for a few days.
Your dentist re-evaluates the gums four to six weeks later to confirm the tissue has responded.
Contact us if you notice:
Bleeding gums are the most commonly ignored symptom and the easiest to treat.
Research has also linked periodontal disease to heart disease, stroke, and complications in pregnancy. Treating your gums supports more than your mouth.
Effective gum treatment depends on accurate measurement, thorough removal of deposits below the gumline, and a maintenance schedule that keeps the disease from returning.
Dr. Marroghi has over 25 years of experience managing periodontal disease and treats it as an ongoing condition to be controlled rather than a one-off procedure.
Once gum disease has been treated, it needs monitoring. Most periodontal patients move from six-month cleanings to a three or four-month recall schedule, because bacteria repopulate the pockets faster than in healthy gums.
Between visits:
The practice is committed to helping patients become informed decision-makers who fully understand their dental conditions and treatment options. The team will listen to your concerns and explain its recommendations so you can make an informed choice about your care.
The practice encourages patients to prepare for their appointment and discuss any concerns with the dental team. Sharing your anxiety in advance helps the doctor understand your needs and provide appropriate care during your visit.
The practice treats dental injuries such as chipped, displaced, or knocked-out teeth. Same-day treatment is not guaranteed on the website, so patients should call the office immediately for assistance and appointment availability. For a life-threatening or severe injury, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
The practice provides routine and restorative dental services, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures, root canal treatment, and sealants to protect children’s teeth. Contact the office to discuss the most appropriate care for you or your child.
