Gum disease starts slowly, often with signs of swelling, redness or inflammation. During your exam and teeth cleaning, your St. Charles Dental professionals will measure any pockets around the teeth and may also take an x-ray to determine if there is any bone loss. If you are exhibiting signs of periodontal disease, it’s important to get fast treatment to control the infection. Nonsurgical treatment such as scaling and root planning are often the first lines of defense along with conscientious daily care at home.