Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a common but serious infection that affects the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. At Fisher Dental in Omaha, Dr. Jake Fisher provides comprehensive periodontal therapy as part of his restorative dentistry services to help patients maintain healthy gums and prevent tooth loss.
Gum disease begins when plaque builds up on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, this plaque hardens into tartar that only a dental professional can remove. The bacteria in plaque and tartar cause inflammation of the gums, which can progress to more serious forms of gum disease if left untreated.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and supporting bone around your teeth. Early signs may include bleeding gums, inflammation, or bad breath. The condition can progress quietly, leading to bone loss, loose teeth, and tooth loss if left untreated.
Gum disease has also been linked to systemic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. Treating your gums can save your teeth and protect your overall health.
Gingivitis: The Early Stage
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Your gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis is completely reversible with professional treatment and good oral hygiene at home.
Signs of gingivitis include:
- Red or puffy gums instead of healthy pink gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Tender or sensitive gums
Dr. Fisher can help reverse gingivitis through professional cleanings and guidance on improving your daily oral care routine.
Periodontitis: The Advanced Stage
If gingivitis goes untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. The inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected. As the disease progresses, these pockets deepen, destroying more gum tissue and bone.
Periodontitis can cause:
- Gums that recede or pull away from your teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Tooth loss in advanced cases
Unlike gingivitis, the damage from periodontitis is not reversible. With proper treatment from Dr. Fisher, we can stop its progression and prevent further damage.
Who Is at Risk for Gum Disease?
Anyone can develop gum disease, but certain factors increase your risk.
Risk factors include:
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause)
- Certain medications that cause dry mouth
- Genetics
- Age
If you have one or more risk factors, pay extra attention to your gum health. Regular dental visits are especially important for you.
Types of Periodontal Treatments in Omaha, NE
Dr. Fisher will thoroughly evaluate your condition and develop a treatment plan that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes of your gum disease. Depending on the severity of your condition, we may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Professional dental cleaning: Regular professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that can’t be eliminated through brushing and flossing alone.
- Scaling and root planing: This deep gum cleaning removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline (scaling) and smooths the tooth roots (planing) to help the gums reattach to the teeth. We typically perform this under local anesthesia for your comfort.
- Solea® laser treatment: The Solea laser offers a gentle, precise way to treat gum disease. We often recommend laser gum treatment to remove infected gum tissue. The laser reduces discomfort, minimizes bleeding, and often eliminates the need for scalpels and sutures. With the Solea gum treatment, many patients experience faster healing and less downtime compared to traditional gum surgery.
- Antibiotic therapy: In some cases, Dr. Fisher may recommend topical or oral antibiotics to control bacterial infection.
- Surgical treatments: For advanced periodontitis, surgical interventions such as flap surgery, bone grafts, or tissue regeneration may be necessary to restore damaged tissues.
After your initial treatment, Dr. Fisher recommends regular follow-up visits. He’ll provide periodontal maintenance to prevent gum disease from recurring.
Advanced Periodontal Care With Saliva Testing
At Fisher Dental, we offer advanced periodontal care supported by saliva testing. This gives us a deeper understanding of your gum disease risk and allows for more personalized, proactive treatment.
What Is Saliva Testing?
Saliva testing is a simple, non-invasive diagnostic tool that analyzes bacteria and inflammatory markers in your mouth. Using a small saliva sample, we can identify harmful periodontal bacteria, assess implant health risks, and better understand your individual oral environment.
This advanced testing allows us to move beyond visual exams alone and create a customized periodontal treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Who Can Benefit From Saliva Testing?
Saliva testing is recommended for most patients, especially those who:
- Experience bleeding during brushing or cleanings
- Have been diagnosed with gum disease
- Have dental implants or are planning implant treatment
- Are undergoing orthodontic or restorative care
- Are pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Have risk factors for systemic inflammatory conditions
How the Process Works
During your visit, we collect a small saliva sample and send it to a certified laboratory for analysis. We review results through a secure portal and discuss what they mean for your oral health. We may repeat testing over time to monitor treatment success and long-term stability.
Why Choose Saliva Testing?
Saliva testing helps us identify gum disease earlier and more precisely. This leads to:
- Targeted, personalized treatment
- Improved periodontal and implant outcomes
- Better long-term oral and overall health
Benefits of Treating Gum Disease
Treating gum disease offers advantages that extend far beyond saving your teeth. When you receive proper periodontal treatment from Dr. Fisher, you’ll experience improved oral health as inflammation decreases, bleeding stops, and your mouth becomes easier to keep clean.
Gum health is closely connected to overall wellness. Research consistently shows links between gum disease and serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. By addressing your gum disease, you may reduce your risk for these systemic health issues.
You’ll also notice fresher breath almost immediately, as treatment eliminates the bacteria causing persistent bad odor.
Gum Disease FAQs
Do you have gum problems and have questions about treatment? Read answers to common questions about gum disease in our Omaha, NE, dental office.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss?
Bleeding gums are usually a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease caused by plaque buildup. Consistent, gentle brushing and daily flossing typically resolve minor bleeding within one to two weeks. However, persistent bleeding, swelling, or pain may indicate more advanced gum disease that requires professional treatment.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Preventing gum disease is easier than treating it. Here’s what you can do at home:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss every day to remove food and plaque from between your teeth
- Visit the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and exams
- Avoid tobacco products
- Eat a balanced diet and limit sugary foods and drinks
- Manage health conditions like diabetes that increase your risk
Will my gums grow back after treatment?
Once your gums recede, they won’t grow back on their own. Gum grafting is the best option to restore healthy gums if you have significant recession. This is why prevention and early treatment matter so much.
Is gum disease treatment painful?
Most gum disease treatments are comfortable, and we take steps to keep you at ease. Here’s what to expect with each:
- Professional dental cleaning. This is not painful and feels similar to a routine cleaning, though you may feel some scraping or pressure.
- Scaling and root planing. We use local anesthesia so you won’t feel pain during the procedure, though your gums may feel tender for a few days afterward.
- Solea laser treatment. The Solea laser is gentle and precise, often eliminating the need for scalpels and sutures, which means less discomfort and faster healing.
- Antibiotic therapy. Topical or oral antibiotics do not cause pain, and any mild irritation from a topical application fades quickly.
- Surgical treatments. We use local anesthesia during procedures like flap surgery or bone grafts, so you won’t feel pain during treatment, though recovery may involve soreness for a week or more.
- Maintenance therapy. Follow-up cleanings are not painful and feel similar to a routine cleaning.
Request a Gum Exam Today
Don’t ignore the signs of gum disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease or it’s time for your regular dental check-up, we make it easy to connect with our office. You can reach our Omaha dental practice at 402-526-5091 during our regular business hours or use our online appointment request form.
Our friendly team is committed to finding a convenient appointment time that works with your schedule, and we strive to accommodate urgent gum concerns as quickly as possible. New patients are always welcome, and we accept most major dental insurance plans. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain healthy gums and a beautiful smile through our comprehensive periodontal care.