Healthy gums hold your teeth in place, and gum disease is one of the most common reasons adults lose teeth. At Cochituate Smile Center in Framingham, MA, periodontal therapy means finding gum problems early and treating the tissue around your teeth, including with laser dentistry. After that, a maintenance schedule built around you keeps your gums stable. If your gums bleed, feel tender or look like they are pulling back, book a visit or call (508) 875-1060.
What Is Gum Disease, and Why Does It Matter?
Gum disease starts when plaque bacteria collect along and under the gum line. In the early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become red, puffy and prone to bleeding, but the bone underneath is still intact. With good home care and professional cleanings, gingivitis can usually be reversed.
Left alone, the infection moves deeper. The gums separate from the teeth and form periodontal pockets, spaces that collect bacteria a toothbrush cannot reach. Over time the bone and ligaments that anchor the teeth break down, and teeth can loosen, shift or be lost. Because this stage is often painless, many people do not notice it until damage has been done. Routine exams are where it is usually caught.
What Are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?
Call us for a periodontal exam if you notice any of the following:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums that are receding or teeth that look longer than they used to
- Bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away
- Teeth that feel loose or a bite that seems to have changed
- Pus or tenderness between the teeth and gums
Persistent bad breath is worth mentioning on its own. Our halitosis treatment, part of our preventive dentistry services, starts with an exam to find the cause, and gum disease is one of the possibilities.
How Is Gum Disease Diagnosed at Our Framingham Office?
A periodontal evaluation is part of a thorough dental exam. We look at the color and firmness of your gums, check for bleeding and recession, and review digital X-rays to see the bone level around your teeth. From there we explain what we found in plain language: whether your gums are healthy, showing early inflammation, or have deeper pockets that need treatment, and what each option involves.
Which Periodontal Treatments Do We Offer?
The right treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed and what the gum tissue needs. Our periodontal services include the following.
Laser dentistry
We use dental lasers in several periodontal procedures, including treating gum disease by removing bacteria and infected tissue, reshaping the gums and releasing a tight frenum. Compared with traditional surgical methods, lasers can offer more precision, less bleeding, less swelling and discomfort, and potentially faster healing. We will tell you whether a laser approach is the best choice for your gums.
Gingivectomy
A gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue. It can eliminate periodontal pockets where bacteria collect, make the teeth easier to keep clean, and reduce a "gummy" smile so the teeth look better proportioned. It is a precise procedure aimed at a healthier, more even gum line.
Gum surgery
For gum recession, deep periodontal pockets or cases that need crown lengthening, our oral surgery services include gum surgery. These procedures help eliminate infection, reduce bone loss, improve how the gums attach to the teeth and create a more even gum line.
Periodontal maintenance cleanings
Once gum disease is under control, it has to stay that way. Patients with a history of gum disease usually need more frequent cleanings than the twice-a-year routine, and our Perio Care membership plan is built for that.
| Approach | What it addresses | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Professional cleaning and exam | Plaque, tartar and early gum inflammation | Routine visit with home-care coaching |
| Laser periodontal therapy | Bacteria and infected gum tissue, gum reshaping | Precise treatment, often less bleeding and swelling |
| Gingivectomy | Excess tissue, pockets, gummy smile | Removal of extra gum tissue to reshape the gum line |
| Gum surgery | Recession, deep pockets, crown lengthening | Surgical treatment planned after a full evaluation |
| Periodontal maintenance | Keeping treated gum disease from returning | 3 to 4 maintenance cleanings a year on the Perio Care plan |
Why Do Healthy Gums Matter Before Implants, Crowns or Orthodontics?
Gums and bone are the foundation for every other kind of dental work. A dental implant needs healthy bone and gum tissue around it to last. A new crown or bridge depends on a clean, stable gum line at its edges. Teeth also move more predictably during orthodontic treatment when the gums are healthy. With general dentistry and orthodontics under one roof, your gum health and your treatment plan are coordinated by the same team.
How Can You Keep Your Gums Healthy Between Visits?
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush, angled toward the gum line.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes.
- Do not skip cleanings, even when nothing hurts. Gum disease is often silent.
- If you smoke, be aware that smoking can mask gum bleeding and slows healing, so mention it at your exam.
- Tell us about health changes such as diabetes or pregnancy, which can affect your gums.
What Does Periodontal Therapy Cost?
Cost depends on the treatment your gums need, and we review it with you before we begin. We accept a range of dental insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross, Cigna, Delta and Guardian, as well as MassHealth; our insurance and financing page has the details. For ongoing care without insurance, our Perio Care Plan costs $599 a year. It includes 3 to 4 periodontal maintenance cleanings, 2 doctor exams, annual digital X-rays as needed, oral cancer screenings and a 5% discount on periodontal and additional dental treatment.
Periodontal Treatment FAQs
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, the early stage, can usually be reversed with professional cleaning and better home care. Once bone has been lost, treatment focuses on stopping the disease and keeping your gums stable, which is why early diagnosis matters.
Does laser gum treatment hurt?
The area is numbed before treatment, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Before you leave, we go over what the first few days of healing feel like and how to care for your gums at home.
How often will I need cleanings after treatment?
The Perio Care plan is built around 3 to 4 periodontal maintenance cleanings a year. We set your exact schedule based on how your gums respond to treatment.
Is bleeding when I floss normal?
Occasional bleeding when you start flossing again can happen, but gums that bleed regularly are a sign of inflammation. It is worth having them checked.
Schedule a Periodontal Exam in Framingham
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, and the earlier gum disease is found, the simpler it is to treat. Book a visit or call (508) 875-1060 to have your gums checked at our office at 254 Cochituate Rd, Framingham, MA 01701. Our team speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese.
