Gum Disease Treatment – New Bedford, MA

Your Gums Deserve Attention, Too

Patient in New Bedford smiling after gum disease treatment

Your gums are just as important as your teeth, even if they’re not often talked about, and gum disease is more common than you might think. According to the CDC, nearly half of adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease, and that number climbs to about 70% for adults over 65. At Clear Coast Dental, we make gum health a priority. If we spot any signs of infection during your visit, we have treatments ready to protect your smile before the damage spreads.

Why Choose Clear Coast Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?

Friendly and Experienced Dental Hygiene Team
State-of-the-Art Soft Tissue Laser Technology
Focused on Your Comfort at Every Appointment

What is Gum Disease?

Patient in New Bedford getting a gum disease screening

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection that develops when plaque and tartar build up along your gumline. It starts as gingivitis, a mild inflammation that's often reversible with good oral care and expert guidance.

Left alone, however, it can progress to periodontitis, which can damage the soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Without professional treatment, this condition can eventually cause tooth loss. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of missing teeth in adults.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

A close-up of inflamed gums showing early signs of gum disease

Gum disease doesn't always announce itself with pain, which is part of what makes it so dangerous. However, there are some common warning signs you can watch for, including:

Gums that are red, swollen, or tender to the touch
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Persistent bad breath that doesn't resolve with normal hygiene
Receding gums or teeth that appear longer than usual
Loose or shifting teeth

If any of these sound familiar, don't wait. Contact our New Bedford team to schedule a gum disease evaluation as soon as possible.

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Dental hygienist in New Bedford performing gum disease treatment with instruments

The right treatment for gum disease depends on how far the infection has progressed. For most patients, a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing is the first and most effective line of defense. In more advanced cases, our soft tissue laser can be used to precisely target infected areas with minimal discomfort.

Scaling & Root Planing

An illustration of scaling and root planing procedure for gum disease treatment

Scaling and root planing removes the plaque and tartar buildup that serves as the main driver of gum disease. It’s broken up into two phases:

During the scaling phase, we use a small ultrasonic cleaner to break up deposits near your gumline and thoroughly rinse the area.
Afterward, root planing smooths the rough surfaces of your tooth roots to make it harder for bacteria to reattach.

Depending on the severity of the infection, a full treatment may take one to four appointments. During your consultation, we’ll always give you a detailed treatment plan, so you know what to expect.