Tobacco Use
Smoking or chewing tobacco significantly increases your risk and makes treatment less effective.
Yuma's Best Dentist
We Believe In Building Healthy Foundations
Bleeding gums when you brush? Gums pulling away from your teeth? You're not alone. Nearly half of American adults have some form of gum disease. The good news: gum disease is treatable, and the earlier we catch it, the better your outcome.
At Arizona Avenue Dentistry, Dr. Grady and our team provide compassionate, judgment-free gum disease treatment. We've helped hundreds of Yuma patients stop gum disease progression and restore healthy gums. With over 20 years of experience, we'll create a personalized treatment plan to get your gums back on track.
Call (928) 782-3685 or request an appointment online to schedule your gum health evaluation.
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It starts when plaque builds up along and under the gumline. Without treatment, this infection can destroy the bone supporting your teeth, leading to tooth loss.
Gum disease develops in stages:
The mildest form of gum disease. Gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. There's little to no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good home care.
If left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. Gums pull away from teeth, forming pockets that become infected. Your body's immune response and bacteria start breaking down the bone and tissue. Without treatment, teeth can become loose and require removal.
Don't ignore these warning signs. The sooner you get treatment, the easier it is to reverse or manage gum disease:
Important: Gum disease often develops painlessly. You might not notice symptoms until the disease is advanced. This is why regular dental checkups are critical. We screen for gum disease at every visit.
While anyone can develop gum disease, certain factors increase your risk:
Smoking or chewing tobacco significantly increases your risk and makes treatment less effective.
Some people are more genetically susceptible to gum disease, even with good oral care.
Diabetes, autoimmune diseases and conditions that affect your immune system increase risk.
Other risk factors include:
Your treatment plan depends on the stage of your gum disease. We start with the most conservative approach and only recommend more advanced treatment if needed.
A thorough cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline. Combined with improved brushing and flossing at home, this can reverse gingivitis completely.
We'll show you proper brushing and flossing techniques. Daily removal of plaque is essential to keep gingivitis from returning.
This non-surgical treatment is the gold standard for periodontitis. We clean deep below the gumline to remove bacteria, tartar and toxins. Then we smooth the tooth roots to help gums reattach and prevent future buildup.
We may use antibiotics to help control bacterial infection. This can include antibiotic mouth rinses, gels placed in gum pockets after deep cleaning or oral antibiotics in more severe cases.
After treating periodontitis, you'll need more frequent cleanings (usually every 3-4 months instead of 6 months). These maintenance visits are crucial to keep the disease from progressing and prevent tooth loss.
In severe cases, we may refer you to a periodontist (gum disease specialist) for advanced treatments like gum surgery, bone grafts or tissue regeneration procedures.
We believe in transparent care. Here's what happens when you come to us for gum disease treatment:
Dr. Grady examines your gums, measures pocket depths around each tooth, reviews your medical history and takes x-rays to check bone levels. This tells us the stage and severity of your gum disease.
We explain your diagnosis in plain language, discuss treatment options, answer all your questions and create a plan that fits your health needs and budget.
We perform your treatment (usually scaling and root planing over 1-2 appointments). We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. After treatment, we schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and maintain your gum health.
Whether you've been treated for gum disease or want to prevent it, these steps protect your gum health:
Many patients feel embarrassed about gum disease. Don't let embarrassment keep you from getting treatment. Gum disease affects nearly half of all American adults over 30. It's not about being "dirty" or lazy with your oral care.
Genetics, medications, health conditions, stress and simply not knowing the warning signs all play a role. What matters is taking action now.
Our team provides judgment-free, compassionate care. We're here to help you get healthy, not to lecture you about the past. You'll find no shame here, just a team dedicated to restoring your gum health and confidence.
With over 20 years of experience treating gum disease, Dr. Grady has helped hundreds of Yuma patients restore healthy gums and keep their natural teeth.
We understand that life gets busy and dental care sometimes falls by the wayside. Our team welcomes you with compassion, not criticism.
Our bilingual staff can explain your treatment and answer your questions in Spanish, making you feel comfortable and fully informed.
Don't let gum disease progress. Early treatment is easier, more effective and less expensive than treating advanced disease. Dr. Grady and our team are ready to help you get back to healthy gums.
Call (928) 782-3685 to schedule your gum health evaluation, or request an appointment online.
We're here for you with judgment-free, compassionate care when you need it most.
We're proud of the care we give, but hearing from our patients means everything. Read the reviews that reflect our commitment to comfort, compassion and exceptional dentistry.