mend
(949) 251-0011 Book Appointment

Bleeding gums? Caught early, it reverses.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and the only one that goes away completely. A thorough cleaning with Frank, a home routine that fits your life, and a recheck to confirm it worked.

Book Appointment Do I have it?
Fully reversible Usually one cleaning
Hygienist checking a patient's gums at mend dental in Irvine, CA
Healthy gums do not bleedStage 1 of 3
Signs of gingivitis

Four things to look for.

Gingivitis rarely hurts, so most people find out at a cleaning. If you recognize more than one of these, book a visit.

Bleeding when you brush or floss.The most common sign, and the one people wrongly blame on brushing too hard.
Red or puffy edges along the gumline.Healthy gums are pale pink and hug the tooth tightly.
Tenderness or a bad taste.Especially in the morning, or bad breath that mouthwash does not fix.
A while since your last cleaning.Plaque hardens into tartar in about two weeks, and only a cleaning removes tartar.
How we treat it

Three steps. Then healthy gums.

Because the bone is still healthy, gingivitis does not need numbing or a deep cleaning. It needs the plaque gone and a routine that keeps it gone.

01

Measure and show you

Frank gently measures around each tooth and shows you where the gums are inflamed. No lecture, just a clear picture.

02

A thorough cleaning

Plaque and tartar are removed above and just below the gumline, then the teeth are polished so plaque has a harder time sticking.

03

Your routine, then a recheck

A home plan built around your life. At your next visit we measure again and expect to see healthy gums.

Between visits

The two weeks that fix it.

The cleaning resets your gums. What you do for the next fourteen days decides whether the bleeding stays gone. Frank will tailor this to you, but it usually comes down to:

  • Floss once a day, gently. Bleeding at first is normal and fades within a week or two.
  • Brush twice, soft bristles, along the gumline. Angle the brush toward the gums where plaque collects.
  • Reduce contact time with sugary and acidic drinks. Have them with meals, then rinse with water.
  • Keep the recheck. It is how we confirm the gingivitis is gone rather than hiding.
Home care tools for healthy gums
If it has gone furtherWhen gums have started to pull away, a deep cleaning treats the infection below the gumline.Frank will tell you which one you need after measuring your gums.

Gingivitis questions, answered.

The earliest stage of gum disease. Plaque along the gumline irritates the gums so they bleed, look red or puffy, and may feel tender. The bone under the gums is still healthy, which is why it is reversible.

Yes. With a professional cleaning and a consistent home routine, most gingivitis clears within two to three weeks. If it is ignored, it can progress to periodontitis, which is not reversible.

Usually not, which is why it gets missed. Bleeding when you brush or floss is the main sign. Healthy gums do not bleed.

A thorough cleaning above and just below the gumline to remove the plaque and tartar causing the irritation, then a home routine tailored to you. We recheck your gums at your next visit.

No. Bleeding means the gums are inflamed, not that flossing is hurting them. Gentle daily flossing is what makes the bleeding stop, usually within a week or two.

Treatment is usually a regular cleaning and exam, which most PPO plans cover. We verify your benefits before your visit.

Bleeding when you brush? Let's take a look.

A gum check is part of every cleaning. If you need more, Dr. Shah is right here.

Book a gum check
mend
(949) 251-0011 Book Appointment

Bleeding gums? Caught early, it reverses.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and the only one that goes away completely. A thorough cleaning with Frank, a home routine that fits your life, and a recheck to confirm it worked.

Book Appointment Do I have it?
Fully reversible Usually one cleaning
Healthy gums do not bleedStage 1 of 3
Signs of gingivitis

Four things to look for.

Gingivitis rarely hurts, so most people find out at a cleaning. If you recognize more than one of these, book a visit.

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How we treat it

Three steps. Then healthy gums.

Because the bone is still healthy, gingivitis does not need numbing or a deep cleaning. It needs the plaque gone and a routine that keeps it gone.

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Between visits

The two weeks that fix it.

The cleaning resets your gums. What you do for the next fourteen days decides whether the bleeding stays gone. Frank will tailor this to you, but it usually comes down to:

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If it has gone furtherWhen gums have started to pull away, a deep cleaning treats the infection below the gumline.Frank will tell you which one you need after measuring your gums.

Gingivitis questions, answered.

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Bleeding when you brush? Let's take a look.

A gum check is part of every cleaning. If you need more, Dr. Shah is right here.

Book a gum check