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Bleeding gums are not a normal part of brushing your teeth, though they may be a sign of gum disease. Catching this early can mean the difference between a simple cleaning and losing a tooth altogether. It often starts quietly, with a little redness or tenderness you might brush off as nothing, which is exactly why so many people wait too long to get it checked out.
At Travis J. Calhoun, DDS, gum health has been one of our strongest focuses for over 30 years. Dr. Travis Calhoun works alongside two skilled, experienced hygienists who are trained to spot the early signs of gum disease long before it becomes a bigger problem. Our general and restorative dentistry team treats patients throughout Asheville.
Gum disease begins with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. When plaque is not removed through daily brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be cleaned away at home and requires a professional visit. The earliest stage is called gingivitis, and it causes red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis, a more serious condition that affects the bone supporting your teeth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 4 in 10 U.S. adults age 30 and older had some level of periodontitis in survey data from 2009 to 2014. Smoking and diabetes have both been linked to more serious gum disease.
The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed with the right care, and our hygienists check for these changes during your routine cleanings.
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are the most common early sign of gum disease. Many people have little or no pain in the early stages, which is why an exam is the most reliable check. These signs are also worth bringing up with your hygienist:
If any of these sound familiar, schedule an exam. Gum disease rarely gets better on its own, and catching it early often makes treatment easier.
Your evaluation starts with measurements. Your hygienist uses a small probe to check the space between your gums and teeth, and we take x-rays to look at the bone underneath. We also use intraoral cameras, so you can see what we see on the screen. These checks are part of every dental exam and teeth cleaning, and new patient appointments are scheduled with extra time so nothing feels rushed.
Treatment depends on how far the disease has advanced, which is why a thorough evaluation always comes first. Gingivitis often responds to a professional cleaning and good habits at home. When gum disease has moved below the gumline, our hygienists can treat early to moderate cases directly in our office.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots so your gums have a clean surface to heal against. Your hygienist does the work in our office, and the area is numbed first. You can read more about what the visit involves on our deep teeth cleaning page.
Some cases go beyond what we treat in our office, such as advanced gum disease that needs surgery. In those cases, we refer you to a trusted periodontist and stay involved in your care. We would rather be upfront about when a periodontist is the better option than keep everything under one roof.
Gum health has been part of our practice’s foundation for over 30 years. Because our team is small, you tend to see the same hygienist at each visit, so the person measuring your gums remembers what they looked like last time. Both of our hygienists can administer anesthesia, which helps keep deep cleanings comfortable.
We care for your gums as part of the family dentistry we provide in Asheville, including restorative work such as a dental bridge, where gum health matters. You can learn more about Dr. Calhoun’s approach to dentistry, and see how often we recommend you visit the hygienist.
The cost of gum disease treatment depends on how much of your mouth needs care and how deep your gum pockets measure. After your evaluation, we can give you a written estimate before treatment begins.
We are a fee-for-service practice. Many patients can submit a claim to their insurance provider for partial reimbursement, and our office can provide the documentation you need. Payment is collected at the time of treatment, and we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing.
Gum disease is easier to treat the earlier it is caught, and an evaluation today may help you avoid a much bigger problem down the road. Dr. Calhoun has cared for patients throughout Asheville and western North Carolina for over 30 years, earned his DDS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completes around 30 hours of continuing education each year.
If you have noticed bleeding, tenderness, or any other changes in your gums, do not wait to have them checked. Contact us online to schedule your gum disease evaluation with Dr. Calhoun and our hygiene team.
Questions about payments and financing options? Give us a call at (828) 277-2722.
Dr. Travis Calhoun has been treating patients throughout Asheville and western North Carolina for over 30 years. A born-and-raised Asheville native, he studied at the University of Georgia before completing his dental training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and has run a fee-for-service family practice here ever since. Patients trust his unhurried, detail-oriented approach to every treatment plan.
"It is my mission to treat everybody like they were my mom. I want to keep my skills at the absolute highest level so I can deliver the best dental care available, in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere."
