Gum Disease in Huntington Park: Signs, Stages, and Treatment

The two stages of gum disease

Gum disease progresses in stages. Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage. Your gums are red, swollen, and may bleed when you brush — but your bone and teeth are still intact. With a professional cleaning and improved home care, gingivitis can be fully reversed.

Periodontitis is the advanced stage. The infection has spread below the gumline, creating pockets between the gums and teeth where bacteria accumulate. Bone and tissue begin to break down. Without treatment, teeth can loosen and eventually be lost. This stage cannot be reversed — but it can be controlled.

Signs you might have gum disease

Bleeding when you brush or floss is the most common early sign — and the most ignored. Many people assume some bleeding is normal. It isn't. Other signs include red or swollen gums, bad breath that doesn't go away, gums that look like they're pulling away from your teeth, and teeth that feel loose or have shifted.

Gum disease is often painless in the early stages, which is why regular exams matter. Dr. Adelpour checks your gum health at every visit.

How we treat gum disease

Treatment depends on the stage. For gingivitis, a thorough professional cleaning combined with better brushing and flossing habits is often enough. For periodontitis, we perform scaling and root planing — a deep cleaning below the gumline, done with local anesthetic so you're comfortable throughout.

After treatment, most patients move to a maintenance schedule of cleanings every 3–4 months instead of every 6.