Gum Disease: Causes, Stages, and Symptoms Rego Park, NY
Treatment for gum disease can help restore your overall oral health. Gum disease is largely preventable, but when treatment is needed, you will want to see a dental professional. If you have been searching for gum disease treatment near you in Rego Park or Queens, our team can help you find out where you stand and what to do next.
This page explains what gum disease is, how it progresses, and how to recognize it. When you are ready for care, gum disease treatment in Rego Park is provided in-house by periodontist Dr. David Malakov at Affordable Dental Care PC, serving Forest Hills, Elmhurst, and the greater Queens area. Call us today at (718) 897-3434 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Understanding Gum Disease
According to the American Dental Association, gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is not always accompanied by pain, which means that patients may not even know that they have it.
Usually, gum disease is caused by a poor oral hygiene routine that allows an excess of plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) to build up on the teeth. When plaque hardens under the gumline into tartar, it becomes more difficult to remove. At this point, the patient will be unable to remove the plaque and tartar without professional dental cleaning.
“Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is not always accompanied by pain, so patients may not even know that they have it.”
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease progresses in stages, and catching it early makes treatment simpler and more affordable. Knowing where you are in that progression helps you and our team choose the right care.
- Gingivitis: The earliest and only fully reversible stage. Gums may look red or swollen and bleed when you brush, but there is no bone loss yet. A professional cleaning combined with better home care can often reverse it.
- Early periodontitis: Plaque and tartar spread below the gumline, small pockets form between the gums and teeth, and early bone loss begins. Treatment usually involves a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing.
- Moderate periodontitis: Pockets deepen, more bone and connective tissue are lost, and gums may begin to recede. Treatment often combines scaling and root planing with ongoing periodontal maintenance.
- Advanced periodontitis: The supporting bone is significantly damaged, teeth may loosen or shift, and surgery may be needed to save them. This is the stage most associated with tooth loss.
Because gum disease is often painless, many patients do not realize which stage they are in until a dentist measures their gum pockets. If you are searching for gum disease treatment near you in Rego Park or Queens, an exam is the fastest way to find out where you stand.
“Because gum disease is often painless, many patients do not realize which stage they are in until a dentist measures their gum pockets.”
Preventing Gum Disease
Although poor oral hygiene is the main cause of gum disease, there are a variety of risk factors that can increase an individual's chances of acquiring gum disease. These risk factors include:
- Smoking
- History of gingivitis
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Some types of medicines
However, as plaque is the greatest perpetrator, practicing adequate oral hygiene habits can prevent the development and progression of gum disease. We, along with most dentists, recommend that patients brush their teeth at least twice daily, floss at least once a day, and rinse preferably after every meal.
We suggest brushing, flossing, and rinsing after each meal for patients with early signs of gingivitis or developing gum disease. We will also recommend or prescribe the patient a special gum restorative system to use at home to nourish and restore the gums. It is highly crucial that patients visit their dentist for a routine biannual checkup and cleaning appointment to detect any early signs of gum disease.
“We suggest brushing, flossing, and rinsing after each meal for patients with early signs of gingivitis or developing gum disease.”
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease may go unnoticed for some time, especially as it is not always accompanied by pain. Even symptoms in the late stages of gum disease can be very subtle. It is crucial for patients to know the signs of gum disease so they know how to identify them. Common symptoms of gum disease include but are not limited to:
- Changes in the bite
- Changes in the fit of partial dentures
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
- Gums that bleed after and during brushing teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Persistent bad breath or taste in the mouth
- Receding gums
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
Patients may still be afflicted by gum disease even without these symptoms. Some people, for instance, may only have gum disease that affects certain teeth. Our team can help identify any dental problems you may have.
“It is crucial for patients to know the signs of gum disease so they know how to identify them.”
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Treatment Options
To properly diagnose a patient with gum disease, we measure the pocket depths between the gums and the teeth. Healthy teeth measure about 1 to 3 mm depth, while unhealthy teeth measure pocket depths up to 6 mm. This measurement, also called periodontal probing, tells us how severe the patient's condition is. We also take X-rays and conduct a physical examination of the mouth.
The National Health Service (NHS) describes a few dental procedures that have been found effective in treating gum disease, including scale and polish, root planing, and surgery. Flap surgery, a common minor surgical procedure, involves lifting the gums back, thoroughly cleaning out the infection, and reshaping the bone. The flap is then reattached to the teeth more firmly to solve the deep pocket depths present before surgery. The gums then naturally heal over the teeth.
“Healthy gums measure about 1 to 3 mm of pocket depth; deeper pockets tell us how far the disease has progressed.”
Where to Get Treated: Our Periodontist in Rego Park
Treatment is matched to the stage of the disease. For gingivitis and early gum disease, a professional cleaning and improved home care are often enough. For established gum disease, scaling and root planing removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the roots so the gums can reattach. All of these treatments are provided at our Rego Park office by Dr. David Malakov, a periodontist with advanced training in periodontics and implant dentistry. Our gum disease treatment and periodontics page covers each option, what it costs, and what to expect.
When gum disease is more advanced, Dr. Malakov may recommend laser gum disease treatment or periodontal surgery to remove infection and restore the gumline. You do not need a referral to see our periodontist in Rego Park, and a routine dental checkup is the best way to catch gum disease early.
We know cost is a common concern, so we keep treatment affordable and review pricing and payment options during your visit. Many dental insurance plans cover gum disease treatment because it protects both your teeth and your overall health. Call (718) 897-3434 to schedule a gum evaluation.
“Our team treats every stage of gum disease for patients across Rego Park, Forest Hills, and the greater Queens area.”
Gum Disease Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. This number increases with age, with 70% of adults 65 years and older reporting the condition. Furthermore, it is more common among men than women. To address such problems, the CDC is working with organizations like the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association to improve and sustain surveillance of periodontal disease in the adult U.S. population.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the stages of gum disease?
Q. What are the signs of gum disease?
Q. How can I prevent getting gum disease?
Q. What are some treatment options for gum disease?
People Also Ask
Q. What can I do about receding gums?
Q. What lifestyle factors can trigger gum bleeding?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does gum disease treatment cost?
A. Cost depends on the stage and the treatment. A professional cleaning for early gum disease is far less involved than scaling and root planing or surgery for advanced cases. At Affordable Dental Care PC in Rego Park we keep care affordable and review pricing and payment options up front, and most dental insurance plans cover gum disease treatment because it is medically important.
Q. What are the stages of gum disease?
A. Gum disease progresses from gingivitis, the earliest and reversible stage, to early, moderate, and advanced periodontitis. Each stage involves deeper gum pockets and more bone loss. The earlier it is caught, the simpler and more affordable treatment tends to be.
Q. Can receding gums from gum disease be treated?
A. Yes. Receding gums are a common sign of gum disease. Gums that have already receded do not grow back on their own, but treatment can stop the recession from worsening, and procedures such as gum grafting or gum contouring can help restore the gumline. Our page on receding gums covers this in more detail.
Q. Do you offer gum disease treatment near me in Queens?
A. Yes. Periodontist Dr. David Malakov treats gum disease at Affordable Dental Care PC on Queens Blvd in Rego Park (11374) for patients throughout Queens, including Forest Hills, Elmhurst, and Kew Gardens. See our periodontics page for treatment details, or call (718) 897-3434 to schedule an evaluation.
Q. Is gum disease curable?
A. Gum disease is reversible in mild to moderate cases in which the infection has not caused severe side effects, such as tooth loss. Periodontal disease, the advanced stage of gum disease, is not reversible. It is important to undergo treatment immediately after diagnosis to prevent the disease from progressing.
Q. What is the link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease?
A. The mouth is one of the main entryways to the rest of the body, and any bacteria, good or bad, travels through the airways to the respiratory system. Plaque is an extremely harmful bacteria that can clog arteries and the heart valves, causing cardiovascular problems over time.
Q. How can I treat gum disease at home?
A. There are many at-home treatments for gum disease today, including special tools and mouthwashes that help strengthen the gums and remove plaque. However, no at-home treatment replaces professional dental cleanings. We use medical-grade tools made especially for removing tartar that home care cannot reach.
Q. How much does gum flap surgery cost?
A. Flap surgery, also called surgical pocket reduction, is considered a minor surgery. The surgery typically costs between $1,000 to $3,000 for patients paying out-of-pocket. Most insurance plans cover gum disease treatment as it is a severe condition that can put the teeth and overall health at risk.
Q. What if gum disease is left untreated?
A. When gum disease goes untreated, the infection inevitably spreads and destroys more of the gums, underlying bone, and jaw. That is why loose teeth and tooth loss are common complications of the disease. Gum disease can also contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
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Gum Disease Terminology
Learn More Today
Gum disease is treatable at every stage, and the sooner it is addressed the better the outcome. To schedule an affordable gum evaluation in Rego Park, call Affordable Dental Care PC today at 718-897-3434 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Academy of Periodontology. Types of Gum Disease. 2025
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
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