Gum disease is the leading reason adults lose teeth — yet it’s often preventable and treatable when caught early. At Liberty Dental Care PC by Park One Dental, we prioritize clear, practical guidance so patients can protect their gums and preserve their smiles for a lifetime. This page explains what periodontal disease is, how it develops, and how modern periodontal care can stabilize and restore oral health.
Periodontal disease begins when bacterial plaque and calculus accumulate at and below the gumline. These microbes trigger inflammation in the periodontal tissues — the gums, the periodontal ligament, and the underlying bone that supports teeth. Left unchecked, inflammation moves from a reversible condition into a destructive process that compromises tooth support.
Because the early stages are often painless, many people don’t notice a problem until structural damage has already started. Regular exams and professional assessments allow clinicians to detect subtle signs such as increased pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and early bone changes before the condition becomes advanced.
Prevention starts with everyday habits: thorough brushing, daily interdental cleaning, and routine professional maintenance. When home care and regular visits are combined, the inflammatory burden around the teeth is reduced and long-term stability becomes much more achievable.
Periodontal inflammation is not isolated to the mouth. A growing body of research links chronic gum disease with broader health issues — including cardiovascular stress, poorer blood sugar control, and complications in respiratory conditions. While correlations do not always prove causation, controlling oral inflammation is a sensible step toward supporting overall health.
Dentists collaborate with patients and, when appropriate, with medical providers to manage contributing factors like diabetes, smoking, and certain medications. Addressing these systemic contributors alongside local periodontal care improves outcomes and helps reduce recurrence over time.
For patients, the take-away is simple: keeping gums healthy contributes to higher quality of life and may reduce the risk of negative interactions between oral disease and general medical conditions.
Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease. Typical signs include gums that bleed with brushing or flossing, redness, swelling, and mild tenderness. Because symptoms can be subtle, patients should report any change in gum color, sensitivity, or bleeding to their dental provider promptly.
Treating gingivitis focuses on removing the cause — plaque and calculus — and restoring a healthy oral environment. Professional cleanings combined with improved at-home hygiene frequently reverse inflammation and restore normal tissue tone and color.
Patient education is central to success. Learning effective brushing and interdental techniques, understanding individual risk factors, and committing to scheduled maintenance visits are the most reliable ways to prevent progression beyond this early stage.
When inflammation progresses past gingivitis, it becomes periodontitis — a destructive disease that erodes the connective tissues and bone that hold teeth in place. Clinically this presents as deeper periodontal pockets, gum recession, increased tooth mobility, and possible changes in how teeth fit together when biting.
Treatment at this stage aims to arrest further destruction, reduce pocket depths, and, where possible, regenerate lost tissue. Approaches may include targeted antibacterial therapies, focused non-surgical therapy, or surgical interventions that improve access for cleaning and promote regeneration of bone and soft tissue.
Early intervention in moderate disease can often preserve natural teeth and reduce the need for more extensive procedures later. Ongoing maintenance and careful monitoring are essential after active therapy to keep the disease from returning.
Patients at our office receive periodontal care that is tailored to their individual needs. A comprehensive evaluation looks at medical history, risk factors, clinical measurements, and diagnostic imaging to build a realistic and effective treatment plan. We consider each person’s goals, comfort level, and long-term oral health when recommending steps forward.
Treatment plans may combine conservative measures with advanced therapies. The team at Liberty Dental Care PC by Park One Dental uses evidence-based protocols and contemporary tools — including selective use of antimicrobial agents and laser-assisted procedures when appropriate — to reduce bacterial load and promote healing.
After active therapy, a customized maintenance schedule helps patients sustain improvements. Regular periodontal maintenance visits are the single most important factor in preventing recurrence and protecting the investment of time and care put into stabilizing the tissues.
Selecting the appropriate treatment depends on disease stage, the extent of tissue damage, and the patient’s overall health. Clinicians prioritize the least invasive effective options and escalate to surgical or regenerative techniques only when necessary to restore function and stability.
Clear communication is part of our process. We review the findings, explain why particular therapies are recommended, and outline what to expect during healing and maintenance. Patients are encouraged to ask questions so they can make informed decisions about their care.
Where surgical or regenerative work is indicated, modern techniques can rebuild lost support and improve both function and esthetics. After these procedures, a structured maintenance plan reduces the chance of recurrence and supports long-term success.
Non-surgical care is the first line for many patients. Scaling and root planing remove subgingival plaque and calculus and smooth the root surfaces to discourage bacterial recolonization. Adjunctive measures — such as localized antimicrobials or short courses of systemic therapy when indicated — may enhance results.
Success with non-surgical therapy depends heavily on follow-up care; a structured maintenance program helps control inflammation and prevents disease from returning. Many patients achieve long-term stability with this conservative approach.
When pockets remain deep or inflammation persists despite conscientious non-surgical care, the clinical team will discuss next-step options to gain better access and achieve improved outcomes.
Surgical care is reserved for cases where anatomy or pocket depth limits the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment. Procedures such as flap surgery provide direct access to thoroughly clean root surfaces and reshape the tissues for improved hygiene access.
Regenerative techniques — including bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration — aim to rebuild lost support when conditions are favorable. These procedures focus on restoring the structural foundation of teeth to enhance longevity and function.
Contemporary technology, including carefully selected laser applications, can complement traditional surgery by reducing bacterial load and shaping soft tissues when appropriate. The overall goal is to halt disease progression and create an environment that patients can maintain long-term.
Remove subgingival bacteria beneath the gums and from the surfaces of the roots of the teeth
Halt damage to the underlying bone, and recontour affected hard tissues as needed
Reduce pocket depth to make daily cleaning easier and to support lasting periodontal health
Our team is committed to helping patients preserve natural teeth and maintain a healthy, comfortable mouth. Contact us for more information about periodontal treatment and how we can help you protect your smile.
Most people don’t realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults over the age of 30 in the United States has periodontal disease.
You may be surprised to learn that the human mouth is home to a wide variety of microbes. The fact is that over 700 different strains of bacteria have been detected in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are harmful to oral health. Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising both your oral health and overall wellbeing.
In addition to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent professional care, other factors, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease.
Your gums and teeth have an interdependent relationship, which means healthy teeth depend on the support of healthy gums. Also, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition; good oral health also supports systemic health. In addition to being the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, researchers are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and a number of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding with the slightest pressure while brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, it can easily be reversed with deeper cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
In the absence of professional treatment and better home care, gingivitis progresses to the next stage, which is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place begin to break down with an increase in pocketing between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without proper treatment by your dentist, periodontitis will progress from a mild to moderate loss of supporting tissue to the destruction of the bone around the teeth.
Although gingivitis can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, as periodontal disease advances, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression. Based on a complete assessment of your periodontal health and a review of possible contributing factors, our office will recommend the best options in care. Treatment for periodontitis may include a series of deeper cleanings known as root planing and scaling, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, laser procedures, or antimicrobial medications.
The cost of care depends on the type of procedures required to restore your periodontal health. If you have dental insurance, plans often cover treatment to prevent gum disease as well as many procedures to treat the various stages of gum disease. Our goal is to help patients restore and maintain good oral health. We do all we can to help you begin care without additional stress or delay. Our business office works with you to maximize your benefits and provide easier, more convenient payment options.
By seeing our office regularly for care and doing your best to eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, you can keep your smile in tip-top shape as well as protect your overall wellbeing.
At the office of Liberty Dental Care PC by Park One Dental, we provide a comprehensive range of services to address all your oral healthcare needs. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands at our office. Our skilled and experienced team maintains a position at the forefront of advances in care and remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate treatment.
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, refers to infections and inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It begins when bacterial plaque accumulates along the gumline and triggers an inflammatory response. Over time this inflammation can damage the gum tissue and underlying bone that keep teeth stable.
Early stages, known as gingivitis, are reversible with proper care, while advanced disease (periodontitis) leads to pocket formation, recession, and bone loss. Because early periodontal disease may produce minimal discomfort, routine evaluations are essential for timely diagnosis. Prompt identification allows less invasive treatments to be effective and helps preserve long-term oral function.
The primary cause of periodontal disease is the persistent buildup of dental plaque — a complex biofilm of bacteria — on tooth surfaces and below the gumline. When plaque hardens into calculus, it fosters bacterial communities that are difficult to remove with routine brushing alone. These bacteria release toxins that sustain inflammation and damage to periodontal tissues.
Several risk factors increase susceptibility, including tobacco use, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications, genetic predisposition, and poor oral hygiene habits. Lifestyle factors such as stress and diet can also influence disease progression by affecting immune response and healing. Identifying and managing these risks is an important part of effective periodontal care.
Common signs of gum disease include gums that are red, swollen, or that bleed easily during brushing and flossing. Patients may notice persistent bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, or increased tooth sensitivity. As disease advances, gums can recede, deep pockets may form, and teeth can feel loose or shift position.
Because early stages can be painless, many people do not realize they have a problem until more significant damage occurs. Regular dental exams and periodontal probing help detect changes that are not visible at home. Reporting any new symptoms promptly improves the chances for successful, less invasive treatment.
Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive clinical exam that includes measuring pocket depths around each tooth, assessing gum inflammation, and evaluating gum recession and tooth mobility. Dental radiographs are used to examine bone levels and identify hidden areas of bone loss that are not visible during a visual exam. Clinicians may also review medical history and current medications to uncover factors that can affect periodontal health.
At the office of Liberty Dental Care PC by Park One Dental, your provider will combine clinical findings and imaging to stage the disease and develop a personalized treatment plan. Periodontal charting and periodic reassessments are important to monitor response to therapy and to adjust care as needed. This structured approach helps clinicians target treatments to preserve gum tissue and supporting bone.
Non-surgical therapies are often the first line of treatment and focus on removing infection and reducing inflammation. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) removes plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline and smooths root surfaces to discourage bacterial accumulation. Adjunctive measures can include topical or locally delivered antimicrobials, prescription rinses, and short courses of systemic medications in select cases.
Following active therapy, clinicians reassess periodontal pockets and tissue response to determine if additional care is needed. Effective non-surgical treatment is combined with improved home care techniques and a schedule of professional maintenance to reduce recurrence. For many patients, this conservative approach successfully stabilizes disease and restores healthier tissues.
Surgery is considered when periodontal pockets are deep, bone loss is significant, or non-surgical therapy has not adequately controlled the disease. Common procedures include flap surgery to access and clean root surfaces, pocket reduction surgery to reduce pocket depths, and osseous recontouring to reshape damaged bone. The chosen technique depends on the location and severity of tissue destruction as well as overall treatment goals.
Regenerative procedures such as bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and the use of biologics aim to rebuild lost bone and attachment when appropriate. Minimally invasive options and laser-assisted treatments are also available for select cases to reduce post-operative discomfort and promote healing. Post-surgical care includes close monitoring, periodontal maintenance, and reinforcement of home hygiene to protect treatment outcomes.
Healthy gums and adequate bone are essential prerequisites for predictable implant placement and long-term implant success. Periodontal therapy can address active gum disease, rebuild deficient bone using grafting techniques, and optimize soft tissue contours to create a stable foundation for implants. Treating periodontal disease before implant surgery reduces the risk of implant complications and improves the likelihood of successful osseointegration.
After implant placement, periodontal maintenance and monitoring help detect early signs of peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis so interventions can be applied promptly. In cases of peri-implantitis, therapies may include mechanical debridement, localized antimicrobials, surgical intervention, or regenerative procedures depending on severity. Continued collaboration between surgical and periodontal teams ensures implants remain functional and esthetically pleasing over time.
Consistent and effective home care is the foundation of periodontal health and complements professional treatment. Daily brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush, interdental cleaning with floss or brushes, and the use of an antimicrobial mouthwash when recommended all help control plaque levels. Proper technique and frequency reduce bacterial load and the risk of inflammation between dental visits.
Lifestyle measures such as smoking cessation, blood sugar control for patients with diabetes, and a balanced diet support healing and the long-term stability of periodontal therapy. Patients should follow individualized home care instructions provided by their clinician and attend regular maintenance appointments to sustain results. When patients adhere to a tailored home care plan, the likelihood of disease recurrence decreases and long-term outcomes improve.
Research has identified associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses, with inflammation believed to play a central role. While associations do not prove direct causation, untreated periodontal inflammation can contribute to an increased inflammatory burden in the body. Managing periodontal disease is therefore recognized as an important component of overall health care.
Patients with certain medical conditions should inform their dentist so periodontal care can be coordinated with medical providers when necessary. Controlling periodontal inflammation can improve oral function and may have positive implications for general health, especially in people with diabetes or chronic inflammatory conditions. Integrated care and clear communication among providers help ensure safe, effective treatment decisions.
Maintenance intervals are individualized based on disease severity, response to therapy, and risk factors such as smoking or systemic health issues. Many patients with a history of periodontitis benefit from more frequent professional cleanings and evaluations — commonly at three- to four-month intervals — to control bacterial re-accumulation and monitor healing. Periodic radiographs and periodontal charting are used to track stability over time.
Work with the office of Liberty Dental Care PC by Park One Dental to establish a personalized maintenance schedule and review any lifestyle changes that could affect oral health. Adherence to recall appointments and rapid reporting of new symptoms allow clinicians to intervene early and protect long-term outcomes. A consistent maintenance plan is one of the most effective ways to preserve gum health and safeguard your smile.
Liberty Dental Care PC by Park One Dental
112-10 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419Park One Dental
1601 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 (516) 354-0033
