Periodontics near San Francisco, CA

You should schedule an evaluation if your gums bleed when you brush or floss, look swollen or puffy, are pulling away from your teeth, or if you have persistent bad breath, tenderness, sensitivity near the gumline, a bad taste that keeps coming back, or teeth that feel loose. Gum problems often get worse quietly, so it is better to check them early.

No. Healthy gums should not bleed regularly when you brush or floss. Bleeding is usually a sign of inflammation, and sometimes infection, even if you are not in pain.

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. It affects the gums and is often reversible with professional cleaning and better home care. Periodontitis is more advanced. It can damage the ligament and bone that support your teeth. Once that support is lost, treatment focuses on stopping progression, controlling infection, and protecting what can still be saved.

Your visit usually includes a review of your symptoms and medical history, an exam of the gums, measurements around the teeth, and X-rays or imaging when needed. The goal is to tell you what is happening, how serious it is, whether the condition can be stabilized, and what the safest next step looks like.

Often, yes. Many cases improve with non-surgical care such as deep cleaning below the gumline, home-care changes, and follow-up visits to confirm the tissues are healing. Surgery is considered when pockets stay too deep, bone support is compromised, or the area is too difficult to keep clean predictably.

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal more predictably. It is often the first step when gum disease has moved beyond what a routine cleaning can fix.