Your gums support every tooth in your mouth. When bacteria build up along the gum line, they trigger an infection called gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease damages the tissue and bone holding your teeth in place. Palisades Dental Care treats gum disease in Dumont, NJ, with non-surgical methods designed to stop infection early and protect your smile long-term.
Gum disease starts with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria forming on your teeth every day. When you skip brushing or flossing, plaque hardens into tartar. Tartar irritates your gums and leads to inflammation. Dentists call this early-stage gingivitis.
Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a serious infection that damages the bone and tissue around your teeth. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Gum disease often develops without pain in its early stages. Watch for these signs:
Several factors increase your risk of gum disease. These include:
Skipping regular brushing and flossing lets plaque build up along your gum line, giving bacteria room to trigger inflammation and infection.
Smoking and chewing tobacco weaken your gum tissue and reduce blood flow, making it harder for your body to fight off infection.
Pregnancy, puberty, and menopause shift your hormone levels, making your gums more sensitive to plaque and more prone to inflammation.
Some antidepressants and blood pressure drugs reduce saliva flow, leaving your mouth more vulnerable to plaque buildup and gum disease.
Diabetes makes it harder for your body to control blood sugar and fight infection, raising your risk of developing gum disease.
A family history of gum disease increases your risk, even with careful brushing and flossing.
Chronic stress weakens your immune system, reducing your body’s ability to fight bacteria causing gum disease.
Gum disease develops in stages. Catching it early makes treatment simpler and protects more of your natural tooth structure.
Plaque buildup irritates your gums, causing redness, swelling, and occasional bleeding. At this stage, the infection has not damaged the bone or tissue holding your teeth in place. Gingivitis reverses fully with a professional cleaning and improved home care.
Without treatment, gingivitis advances into early periodontitis. Plaque and tartar spread below the gum line, and the infection begins to break down the bone that supports your teeth. You might notice gums pulling away from your teeth, forming small pockets where bacteria collect.
At this stage, the infection destroys more bone and gum tissue. Pockets between your teeth and gums deepen, teeth loosen slightly, and you might notice a bad taste in your mouth alongside persistent bad breath. At this point, treatment often requires deeper cleanings and closer monitoring.
This is the most serious stage of gum disease. Bone loss becomes severe, teeth loosen further, and you risk losing teeth entirely. Chewing becomes painful, and gums recede, exposing more of your tooth roots. Treatment at this stage focuses on stopping further damage and preserving as many teeth as possible.
Scaling and root planing is the standard treatment for gum disease. During scaling, we remove plaque and tartar from above and below your gum line. Root planing smooths the surface of your tooth roots, giving your gum tissue room to reattach. We apply a local anesthetic first, so the procedure stays comfortable throughout.
If you have gum disease, one cleaning is not enough. Periodontal maintenance keeps the infection from returning through regular deep cleanings, usually scheduled every three to four months. This ongoing care keeps your gums healthy and stops the disease from spreading further.
When scaling and root planing needs extra support, we add antibiotic or antimicrobial treatments. These come as a mouth rinse, a gel applied directly to your gums, or an oral medication. Each option targets the bacteria causing your infection and speeds up healing.
The cost of gum disease treatment depends on the stage of your infection and the type of care you need. A simple prophylaxis cleaning costs less than scaling and root planing, and advanced periodontitis treatment often requires more visits and additional procedures.
Treatment | Estimated Cost Range |
Prophylaxis (preventive cleaning) | $100 – $250 |
Scaling and root planing (per quadrant) | $250 – $450 |
Scaling and root planing (full mouth) | $1,000 – $1,800 |
Periodontal maintenance (per visit) | $150 – $400 |
Antimicrobial treatment (per site) | $50 – $150 |
Oral antibiotic therapy | $30 – $150 |
NOTE: These figures reflect published national cost data for dental procedures. Palisades Dental Care confirms your exact cost during a consultation, based on the stage of your gum disease and your insurance coverage.
Our office is in-network with all major insurance providers. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here; please call at (201) 279-0440 for clarity.
You reduce your risk of gum disease with a few daily habits:
Gum disease will not improve without treatment. The sooner you address the infection, the better your chances of protecting your teeth, gums, and overall health. Palisades Dental Care provides gum disease treatment in Dumont, NJ, with personalized, non-surgical care from our team.
Call (201) 279-0440 today to schedule your appointment, or visit us at 47 East Madison Ave, Dumont, NJ 07628. Protect your smile before gum disease progresses further.
Untreated gum disease destroys the bone and tissue supporting your teeth, leading to loose teeth, receding gums, and eventual tooth loss. The infection also spreads bacteria into your bloodstream, raising your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes complications.
The bacteria that cause gum disease can pass between people through saliva, so sharing utensils, cups, or toothbrushes with someone who has an active infection raises your risk. Kissing also transfers bacteria. Good oral hygiene lowers your risk even with this exposure.
Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of gum disease treatment, especially scaling and root planing. Palisades Dental Care works with all major insurance providers. Bring your insurance card to your appointment, and our team verifies your coverage before treatment begins.
Gum disease is a chronic condition, meaning it never fully goes away once diagnosed. Regular periodontal maintenance keeps the bacteria under control and prevents the infection from progressing. Skipping these follow-up visits raises your risk of the disease returning.
