What Is Gum Disease?

Plaque begins to form when harmful bacteria accumulate along the gumline and between teeth. This sticky biofilm, if not removed, hardens into tartar, allowing bacteria to thrive deep in the pockets around your teeth.

As the infection progresses, your immune system’s response can damage not just the gums, but also the surrounding bone and tooth roots. This process can lead to periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that may result in irreversible damage and even tooth loss.

An experienced Orange County dentist can identify and treat these issues early—before they progress to the point of needing complex restorative care. Without timely treatment, this condition can also make you ineligible for dental implants, since implant success depends on healthy bone and gum tissue.

Gum disease has also been linked to several serious health conditions, including:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes complications
  • Preterm birth and low birth weight
  • Chronic inflammation and lowered immune defense

How We Help You Maintain Healthy Gums

Preventing periodontal infection starts at home—with daily brushing, flossing, and the use of antibacterial rinses. But professional care is essential to remove tartar and detect early signs of infection.

At Rice Dentistry, we provide preventive services and advanced diagnostic tools to help you stay ahead of gum disease:

  • DNA testing to identify high-risk oral bacteria
  • Genetic screening to evaluate susceptibility to periodontitis
  • Oral cancer screening for early detection of precancerous changes

Regular visits every six months allow us to monitor your gum health and intervene early if signs of gum disease appear.

What Is Periodontal Therapy?

Periodontal therapy refers to treatments used to manage and reverse the progression of gum disease. If you have deep gum pockets or signs of infection, we offer a highly effective, comfortable protocol that doesn’t require surgery.

Our nonsurgical gum disease treatment includes:

  • Microsonic cleaning to remove tartar without scraping
  • Laser therapy to sterilize deep gum pockets and remove diseased tissue
  • Arestin® antibiotic therapy, placed directly into infected pockets to kill bacteria and support healing

In more advanced cases, we collaborate with periodontist Dr. Ravon, who brings extensive surgical expertise in managing severe periodontitis and preparing patients for procedures like dental implants.

Considering Dental Implants? Healthy Gums Are Essential

Whether you’re missing one tooth or many, dental implants are a strong and long-lasting solution. However, active infection or significant bone loss can prevent successful implant placement. That’s why treating this condition early is critical—healthy tissue is the foundation of implant success.

If you’ve had gum disease in Irvine and are exploring your tooth replacement options, we’ll assess your readiness for implants and provide the appropriate treatment path to get you there.

Don’t Wait—Protect Your Health and Smile Today

Gum disease won’t resolve on its own. The longer it goes untreated, the more damage it causes. But with proactive treatment and personalized care, you can stop its progression and preserve your smile for the long term.

Call Rice Dentistry in Irvine today at (949) 551-5902 to take the first step toward better gum health.

FAQ’s

Early symptoms include red, swollen, or bleeding gums—especially while brushing or flossing. Other signs may include bad breath, tooth sensitivity, or gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth.

Yes—early-stage, gingivitis can be reversed with professional care and consistent hygiene at home. Once it progresses to periodontitis, the focus shifts to stopping further damage through periodontal therapy.

The condition itself isn’t directly contagious, but the bacteria can be shared through saliva. Sharing utensils or kissing someone with gum disease may increase your own risk, especially if you’re genetically predisposed.

Tooth loss is a possibility with untreated periodontitis. However, with early intervention and regular care—such as treatments available at Rice Dentistry or from periodontist Dr. Ravon—many patients are able to keep their natural teeth.

Yes, in many cases. As long as your gum disease is under control and there is enough healthy bone, dental implants can still be a viable option. We will evaluate your condition and may refer you to Dr. Ravon for surgical treatment or bone grafting if needed.