Dentists diagnose gum disease by measuring the pockets around your teeth, checking for bleeding and bone loss, and then treat it with cleanings, deep scaling, and in advanced cases surgery. At Sola Dental Spa in Staten Island, Dr. Daniel Nejat, DMD, a board-certified periodontist, evaluates gum health with a careful exam and x-rays before recommending the right level of care. Catching it early keeps treatment simple and helps you keep your teeth. Explore gum care and more on our services page.
Diagnosis starts with a periodontal probe that measures gum pocket depth, plus x-rays to check bone. Treatment ranges from professional cleaning for early gingivitis to deep scaling and root planing, and surgical options for advanced periodontitis.
“Gum disease is often silent, so the numbers we measure matter more than how your mouth feels. When we catch rising pocket depths early, we can usually reverse the problem with a focused cleaning and better home care. Waiting is what costs people teeth.”
Dr. Daniel Nejat, DMD, Board-Certified Periodontist, Sola Dental Spa
A Staten Island patient came in mainly for a routine cleaning and mentioned his gums bled when he brushed. Probing showed early pocketing in a few areas. With a deeper cleaning and a tightened flossing routine, his gums firmed up and the bleeding stopped by his next visit.
How do dentists diagnose gum disease?
A dentist or periodontist uses a small probe to measure the space between the gum and tooth, notes bleeding, checks for recession and loose teeth, and reviews x-rays for bone loss.
Healthy gum pockets are shallow. As gum disease advances, those pockets deepen because the supporting tissue and bone break down. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, warning signs include red or swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, receding gums, and persistent bad breath. A periodontist may also assign a stage and grade that describe how severe the disease is and how quickly it is progressing.
What are the stages of gum disease?
The mildest stage is gingivitis, which is reversible. Untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where pockets deepen and bone is lost, sometimes leading to loose teeth.
Gingivitis causes red, puffy gums that bleed easily but usually little discomfort, and good care can reverse it. When plaque spreads below the gum line, the body’s inflammatory response begins breaking down the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place, which is periodontitis. That damage is not reversible, but it can be controlled.
How is gum disease treated?
Early disease responds to professional cleaning and better home habits. Moderate cases often need scaling and root planing, and advanced periodontitis may call for surgical treatment.
Periodontists receive additional years of training in both surgical and non-surgical treatment of gum disease, as described by the American Academy of Periodontology. Non-surgical scaling and root planing is often the first step. When pockets stay deep, surgical procedures can reduce them and, in some cases, regenerate lost bone and tissue.
| Stage | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Professional cleaning, improved brushing and flossing |
| Early to moderate periodontitis | Scaling and root planing, closer maintenance schedule |
| Advanced periodontitis | Surgical treatment to reduce pockets or restore support |
If you want to understand the warning signs sooner, our guides on whether gum disease can cause tooth loss and reversing early gum disease are good next reads.
Frequently asked questions
Does gum disease hurt?
Often it does not, especially early on. That is why regular checkups in Staten Island matter, since a dentist can measure changes before you feel anything.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis, the earliest stage, can usually be reversed with professional cleaning and good home care. Later periodontitis can be controlled but not fully reversed.
What is scaling and root planing?
It is a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the tooth roots so gums can reattach more closely.
How often should I get my gums checked?
Most people benefit from a checkup and cleaning twice a year, though those with a history of gum disease may need more frequent visits.
Who treats advanced gum disease?
A periodontist, a specialist in gum health, handles advanced cases. At Sola Dental Spa, Dr. Daniel Nejat evaluates and treats gum disease across its stages.