Gum disease is far more common than many people realize and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one in two adults over the age of 30 shows signs of periodontal disease. The condition is largely preventable, however, and with timely care most people can preserve healthy gum tissue and lasting teeth. At Briter Dental, we offer a full spectrum of periodontal services designed to diagnose problems early, stop progression, and restore the health and comfort of your smile.
Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in dental plaque accumulate along the gumline and below the gums. The tissues that support each tooth — the gingiva (gums), periodontal ligament, and the underlying bone — are collectively referred to as the periodontium. When bacterial irritation persists, the body's inflammatory response can damage these supporting structures and create pockets where more bacteria collect.
In the earliest phase, inflammation may be limited to reddened, swollen gums that bleed easily. Left unchecked, however, the problem can deepen into pockets between tooth and gum, lead to gum recession, and ultimately cause bone loss. Because early stages are often painless, regular dental exams and cleanings are essential for catching problems before they become destructive.
Preventive routines — effective brushing, daily flossing, and routine professional maintenance — are the foundation of periodontal health. Those measures reduce plaque accumulation and lower the risk that inflammation will progress to irreversible damage.
Oral health is closely linked to overall health. Research increasingly shows associations between periodontal inflammation and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory concerns. While the relationship is complex and research continues, reducing chronic oral inflammation is a sensible step toward improving both oral and general health.
Good periodontal care focuses on lowering bacterial load and resolving inflammation so that the tissues supporting the teeth remain strong. That approach not only preserves the mechanics and appearance of your smile but can also reduce ongoing inflammatory stress on the body.
At our practice, we prioritize prevention and early intervention. Educating patients about daily habits, professional cleaning schedules, and when to seek further evaluation is an important part of keeping periodontal issues from escalating.
Gingivitis is the earliest and most treatable stage of gum disease. It shows up as gum redness, tenderness, swelling, and bleeding when you brush or floss. Although it typically does not cause pain, it signals that plaque and bacteria are irritating the gum tissues and that professional attention is needed.
The encouraging news is that gingivitis is reversible in most cases. Improved home care combined with targeted professional cleanings can eliminate the inflammation and restore healthy gum tissue. Patients who respond promptly to treatment usually avoid the tissue loss that accompanies more advanced disease.
Successful management of gingivitis involves both technique and consistency. We help patients refine brushing and interdental cleaning methods and set realistic maintenance schedules so good results last.
When inflammation advances beyond the gums and begins to affect the periodontal ligament and surrounding bone, the condition is called periodontitis. At this stage, pockets deepen around teeth, bone can be resorbed, and teeth may feel mobile or shift. Because structural support is being lost, treatment shifts from simple reversal to control and repair.
Treatment for periodontitis aims to eliminate bacterial reservoirs, reduce pocket depth, and stabilize the tissues so further loss is prevented. Depending on severity, care ranges from thorough, targeted cleanings to regenerative procedures that encourage bone and soft tissue recovery. Managing contributing factors such as smoking and uncontrolled diabetes is also an important part of effective therapy.
The sooner periodontitis is addressed, the better the prognosis for saving natural teeth and restoring healthy contours. When therapy is guided by clear goals — control infection, reduce pocketing, and boost tissue support — patients often regain function and comfort that had been compromised.
Every mouth is different, so treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s needs and medical background. Our periodontal approach begins with a thorough evaluation: charting pocket depths, assessing bone support on radiographs, and reviewing overall health factors. From that assessment we recommend a stepwise plan that focuses first on stabilizing infection and inflammation.
Non-surgical therapies typically come first. These treatments reduce bacterial deposits beneath the gums and smooth root surfaces so tissues can heal. When pockets are deeper or when structural defects exist, regenerative techniques and tissue grafting may be recommended to rebuild lost support. Advances in materials and techniques have improved outcomes for many patients.
Our clinicians also use adjunctive tools when appropriate, including localized antimicrobials, careful use of systemic medication when indicated, and laser therapy for select procedures. The goal in every case is predictable healing and a maintenance program that prevents recurrence.
Conservative care is the first line of defense when pockets are manageable and tissue loss is limited. Scaling and root planing — deep cleanings performed below the gumline — remove plaque and tartar and allow inflamed tissues to reattach where possible. These procedures are often combined with targeted antimicrobials to reduce bacterial counts.
If deeper intervention is necessary, periodontal surgery may be used to access and thoroughly clean root surfaces, reshape bone, and reduce pocket depths so hygiene becomes more effective. Flap procedures allow the clinician to visualize the damaged area directly, treat it precisely, and, where appropriate, perform regenerative grafts to restore lost bone and soft tissue.
Modern techniques, including selective use of lasers, can complement traditional approaches by reducing bacteria and assisting with soft tissue management. Whatever the chosen path, the focus is on halting progression, improving the environment for oral health, and achieving outcomes that patients can maintain over the long term.
Non-surgical care is designed to control infection and allow healing without the need for incisions. This typically includes thorough scaling and root planing, enhanced oral hygiene instruction, and scheduled periodontal maintenance visits. For many patients, these measures successfully stabilize disease and prevent further tissue loss.
Adjunctive therapies, such as localized antimicrobial agents placed directly in pockets or prescribed oral rinses, can be helpful in reducing bacterial levels. Ongoing maintenance visits are critical after initial therapy because periodontal disease can recur without continued monitoring and care.
The emphasis in conservative care is on minimally invasive methods that restore health, preserve tissue, and make daily home care effective at preventing relapse.
Surgery becomes appropriate when pockets are too deep for non-surgical measures to reach or when structural damage needs to be repaired. Pocket reduction (flap) surgery provides direct access to roots and bone for thorough cleaning and allows the clinician to reshape hard or soft tissues to improve long-term hygiene and stability.
Regenerative procedures — using bone grafts, membranes, or biologic agents — aim to rebuild lost bone and encourage reattachment of tissues. These techniques can restore function, improve aesthetics, and create a more favorable foundation for future restorative work, such as implant placement when needed.
When surgery is recommended, the decision is always guided by realistic goals: to reduce bacterial burden, restore support where possible, and set the stage for successful maintenance and oral function.
Whether you are managing early inflammation or addressing more advanced disease, our team is committed to providing clear explanations, careful treatment, and a practical maintenance plan. If you have questions about symptoms you’ve noticed, or if you’d like to learn more about the periodontal services available at Briter Dental, please contact us for more information.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of Briter Dental, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.
Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and underlying bone. It ranges from reversible early inflammation called gingivitis to more advanced periodontitis, where pockets form and supporting bone can be lost. Because early stages are often painless, many people are unaware a problem is developing until structural damage has occurred.
Identifying periodontal disease early improves the chances of preserving natural teeth and restoring healthy gum support. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are essential elements of early detection and intervention. The goal of treatment is to eliminate infection, reduce inflammation and stabilize the periodontium for long-term oral health.
Periodontal disease begins when bacterial plaque accumulates along the gumline and below the gums, triggering an inflammatory response in the periodontium. Contributing factors include tobacco use, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications, genetic susceptibility and habits that reduce the mouth's ability to resist infection. Environmental and systemic influences can accelerate tissue breakdown once disease has started.
Beyond plaque, oral anatomy and restorative factors such as ill-fitting crowns or crowded teeth can create areas that are difficult to clean and that harbor bacteria. Lifestyle measures, improved oral hygiene and management of systemic conditions all play a role in reducing risk. Addressing modifiable factors is an important part of any periodontal treatment plan.
Early signs of gum disease commonly include red or swollen gums, bleeding with brushing or flossing and persistent bad breath that does not resolve with routine hygiene. Some patients may also notice gum tenderness, gum recession or an appearance of deeper spaces between teeth. Because discomfort is often minimal in early stages, these signs should prompt a professional evaluation rather than being ignored.
As disease progresses, pockets may deepen and teeth can feel loose or shift, which indicates loss of supporting structures. Regular periodontal charting and radiographs help clinicians detect changes that may not be obvious to patients. Prompt assessment allows for conservative treatments that can arrest progression and restore healthier tissues.
Effective prevention starts with consistent daily oral hygiene: thorough twice-daily brushing with a soft-bristled brush, daily interdental cleaning such as flossing or use of interdental brushes, and attention to tongue cleaning to reduce bacterial load. Smoking cessation, blood sugar control for patients with diabetes and a balanced diet support the body's ability to resist oral infection. Good technique and consistency are more important than rare intensive efforts.
In addition to home care, routine professional maintenance is critical because hygienists and clinicians can remove hardened deposits that brushing cannot. Your dental team will recommend individualized intervals for cleanings and periodontal monitoring based on your risk profile. Combining effective home care with regular professional visits gives the best protection against recurrence.
Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes measuring pocket depths, assessing bleeding on probing and evaluating gum recession and tooth mobility. Radiographs are used to evaluate bone levels and to detect patterns of bone loss that help determine severity and treatment needs. A complete medical and dental history is also reviewed to identify systemic conditions or medications that may influence treatment choices.
Documentation and charting allow the team to track changes over time and to evaluate treatment response objectively. In some cases, microbiologic testing or blood sugar screening may be recommended to clarify contributing factors. The diagnostic process guides a personalized, stepwise treatment plan focused on infection control and tissue preservation.
Non-surgical therapy centers on thorough mechanical removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces and root surfaces, commonly called scaling and root planing. This treatment, combined with tailored oral hygiene instruction and localized antimicrobials when appropriate, reduces bacterial reservoirs and allows inflamed tissues to heal. Many patients achieve stability with these conservative measures when delivered promptly and followed by maintenance.
Adjunctive options can include placement of local antiseptics or antibiotics directly into pockets and, in select cases, short courses of systemic medication as determined by the clinician. Laser therapy or other adjunctive devices may be used selectively to complement mechanical therapy, depending on clinical needs. The focus is on creating an environment that supports reattachment and long-term control of disease.
Surgery is considered when pockets remain deep after non-surgical therapy or when anatomic defects prevent adequate cleaning and healing. Common surgical approaches include flap (pocket reduction) procedures to gain access for thorough debridement, and regenerative techniques using bone grafts, membranes or biologic agents to encourage rebuilding of lost bone and soft tissue. The choice of procedure is based on specific clinical goals such as reducing pocket depth, restoring support or improving the foundation for future restorative work.
Surgical care is performed with attention to patient comfort and predictable healing, and it is followed by a structured maintenance plan to protect results. Postoperative instructions, temporary modifications to hygiene and scheduled follow-up visits help ensure recovery and monitor tissue response. When indicated, surgery can significantly improve function, appearance and the long-term prognosis for affected teeth.
Periodontal inflammation contributes to the body's overall inflammatory burden and has been associated with systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, although the relationships are complex and under active study. Controlling chronic oral infection reduces a source of systemic inflammation and supports overall health management as part of a comprehensive approach. Effective periodontal care complements medical care for patients with systemic risks rather than replacing it.
Patients with other health conditions should share their medical history and medications so periodontal therapy can be coordinated safely with their medical team. Optimizing blood sugar control, quitting smoking and addressing other systemic risk factors can improve periodontal outcomes. Regular communication between dental and medical providers helps ensure the best possible integrated care.
Long-term maintenance typically involves scheduled periodontal cleanings and exams at intervals determined by disease severity and response to initial therapy, often ranging from three to four months for higher-risk patients. These visits include careful monitoring of pocket depths, plaque control assessment and reinforcement of home care techniques to prevent recurrence. Consistent maintenance is the single most important factor in preserving results achieved with active therapy.
Maintenance also includes periodic radiographs and reassessment of risk factors so the care plan can be adjusted as needed. Patients who adhere to prescribed maintenance schedules generally experience better long-term stability and a reduced risk of tooth loss. The maintenance relationship between patient and dental team is a proactive partnership focused on preserving oral health.
At Briter Dental the consultation begins with a thorough review of your medical and dental history, a full periodontal examination including pocket charting and radiographic assessment, and a discussion of symptoms and concerns. The clinician will explain findings in plain language and outline conservative options to control infection and reduce inflammation, as well as any surgical or regenerative possibilities if needed. Treatment recommendations are tailored to your oral condition, overall health and personal goals for care.
If active therapy is recommended, the team will describe what to expect during treatment, likely healing timelines and the necessary follow-up and maintenance schedule to protect outcomes. The goal of the consultation is to provide clear information so you can make informed decisions and feel confident in the plan. Our office serves patients from Houston and Katy with a focus on evidence-based, patient-centered periodontal care.