Gum Disease Treatment San Jose | Periodontal Therapy

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It starts when plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—builds up along the gumline. If not removed through daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings, this bacteria can irritate and inflame the gums, leading to infection. Over time, untreated gum disease can damage the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place, resulting in tooth loss and other oral health complications. Studies also show that untreated gum disease can contribute to serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation.

At our San Jose dental practice, we help patients understand that gum disease doesn’t happen overnight—it develops in stages. Recognizing these stages early can make all the difference in preserving your oral health and preventing tooth loss.

Gingivitis – This is the earliest and only reversible stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gum tissue, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. With professional cleanings and improved at-home care, gingivitis can often be completely reversed.

Periodontitis – If gingivitis is left untreated, plaque hardens into calculus (tartar), which can only be removed by a dental professional. As bacteria spread below the gumline, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets that harbor more bacteria. Inflammation increases, the gums may bleed more easily, and mild bone loss can occur.

Advanced Periodontitis – In this final stage, the infection continues to damage the bone, periodontal ligament, and gum tissue that support your teeth. Teeth may shift, loosen, or eventually fall out. At this point, we emphasize preventive dental care in Los Gatos to help patients avoid further complications and maintain long-term oral health through regular maintenance and early intervention. We use laser dentistry and advanced technology to make gum disease treatment more comfortable and effective.

Signs You May Need Gum Disease Treatment in Los Gatos

The first signs of gum disease often appear as red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. If you’ve noticed these symptoms—or if it’s been a while since your last dental exam and cleaning—it’s a good idea to schedule a visit to our Los Gatos dental office.

During your appointment, we’ll gently check the health of your gums and supporting bone, looking for any early signs of periodontal disease. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are key to preventing gum infections, catching issues early, and keeping your smile healthy for years to come.

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Get The Gum Disease Treatment You Need

Even with regular brushing and flossing, bacteria can sometimes build up beneath the gumline, leading to inflammation or early gum disease. Our Los Gatos dental office provides gentle, preventive treatments designed to stop infection before it causes lasting damage and to help patients maintain healthy gums for life.

To treat and manage periodontal disease, our office in Los Gatos offers a specialized periodontal program called Laser Assisted Gum Therapy (LAPT) for our San Jose area patients. This therapy helps target bacteria and inflamed tissue while promoting faster healing and greater comfort. Treatment is typically completed over several appointments and may include:

Professional Deep Cleaning

When early gum disease is present, a deep cleaning—also known as scaling and root planing—removes plaque and hardened tartar from below the gumline. This helps your gums heal and reattach to the teeth.

Antibacterial Therapy

For areas of persistent infection, localized antibacterial treatment may be used to reduce harmful bacteria and promote healing. This helps restore gum health without the need for surgery.

Ongoing Maintenance & Home Care

Regular dental exams and cleanings, combined with good home care habits, are essential to keeping gum disease from returning. Our hygienists can recommend tools and techniques to make daily care easier and more effective.

Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile and play a vital role in your overall well-being. When your gums are strong and free of infection, they support your teeth, protect your jawbone, and contribute to your overall comfort and confidence. By staying consistent with preventive care—such as routine dental exams, professional cleanings, and good at-home habits—you can help prevent gum disease before it starts. Addressing any early signs of inflammation or discomfort right away ensures your smile stays strong, beautiful, and healthy for years to come.

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Perio Protect ®

Perio Protect ® uses a custom, flexible tray to deliver medications that help us better manage your gum disease. You put medication in the tray, then slip it over your teeth. The comfortable tray holds medication under your gums long enough to significantly reduce the amount of disease-causing bacteria so your gum disease heals better and faster. As an added benefit, you may notice whiter teeth and fresher breath.

Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, Dr. Nehawandian recommends that you return to Top Down Dental every 2 to 3 months, to keep active periodontal conditions under control. At these appointments, the depth of your pockets will be carefully evaluated to ensure they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to get rid of on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.

Full mouth laser maintenance may be recommended every 9 – 12 months to reduce bacterial and inflammation. Laser therapy can also boost your immune response, reduce the severity of further disease processes, and improve overall health.