Periodontal Treatment

Keep Your Smile Healthy!

Regular visits to your Pacifica dentist every six months protect you from problems like gum disease.

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Gum Disease Treatment Pacifica, CA

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You probably don’t think too often about your gums. However, did you know that your gums and your jawbone are the primary support system for your teeth? Your jawbone houses your tooth roots, while your gums surround and protect your teeth and keep your roots from exposure.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. When your tooth support system is compromised, your teeth may also be in jeopardy. Gum disease happens to be the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults.

Gum disease progresses slowly, with very few signs, symptoms, or pain at first, and it can be tricky to diagnose on your own. Gum disease has also been linked with inflammation that causes other health concerns like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.

Because of this oral-systemic connection, it is crucial to maintain your dental health to protect your overall health. Therefore, visiting your Pacifica dentist every six months for preventive teeth cleanings and checkups is not only your first line of defense against problems like gum disease but also a critical way you can protect your overall health and well-being.

The Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

While they are few and far between, some signs might indicate the beginning stages of gum disease, also known as gingivitis.

Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth
Chronic bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing, flossing, or mouthwash
Gums that look red, irritated, or swollen

Your dentist in Pacifica can typically detect gum disease much earlier than you can on your own with a thorough examination by monitoring the depths of the pockets between your gums and teeth and with yearly x-rays.

Treating Gum Disease in Pacifica, CA

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Managing Gingivits

If you are suffering from gingivitis, there is good news.

The earlier our dentists detect gingivitis, the easier it is to treat, and the better your chances are of successfully managing your condition and sometimes even reversing it.

In some cases, a thorough professional cleaning and some improvements to your home care routine may be all you need to get your gingivitis under control.

Treating Periodontitis

Our dentists may recommend a deeper cleaning if your gum disease has reached a more advanced stage, called periodontitis. Called scaling and root planing, this deep cleaning allows us to reach below your gumline to remove the plaque and tartar buildup causing your infection.

Since there is no cure for gum disease, you may require additional teeth cleanings throughout the year to help manage your periodontitis. Severe cases may require gum surgery.

We’re Here to Help You!

Dr. Henspetter and Dr. Jen Kin emphasize the importance of preventive dentistry for our patients. With consistent visits to our Pacifica dental office every six months, we can help you protect your healthy smile and your overall well-being.

Contact Cabrillo Family Dental Care today at (650) 359-1646 if it’s time to schedule your next dental appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I see the dentist for teeth cleanings and checkups?

For most healthy patients, two visits to the dentist every six months is sufficient for keeping their teeth clean and healthy. Patients managing gum disease may require additional teeth cleanings throughout the year to keep their condition under control and their gum disease at bay. Your Pacifica dentist and hygienist will make the recommendations for the teeth cleaning and checkup schedule that's right for you.

Since science has found clear connections between gum disease and other health issues in the body like heart disease or diabetes, preventive dental teeth cleanings and checkups have never been more critical. So now, when you visit your dentist to keep your mouth healthy, you are also keeping your body healthy.

Your dentist can detect problems like tooth decay and gum disease in their earliest stage when these conditions are easier and less expensive to treat.

During your teeth cleaning, we'll remove the plaque buildup that's easy to miss at home. Instead, it's plaque and bacteria buildup that cause concerns like tooth decay and gum disease.

Don't wait to schedule your appointment if it's time for your next preventive teeth cleaning and checkup. Contact Cabrillo Family Dental Care today at (650) 359-1646 to schedule your next dental visit.

What should I expect at my first dental visit?

Thank you for choosing Cabrillo Family Dental Care for your Pacifica, CA dentist office. We look forward to meeting you in person on your appointment day.

Our office is located at 669 Crespi Dr. #F, Pacifica, 94044. Contact us at (650) 359-1646 if you have any questions about your appointment.

We ask that you arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment, especially if it is your first time at our dental office.

This will give you time to fill out the necessary paperwork beforehand.

What Is an Appointment At Your Office Like?

When you first arrive, our friendly and professional staff will greet you and get you started. You will fill out any necessary paperwork before the appointment begins.

If it has been a while since you have been to the dentist, your first appointment will be an exam, during which time the dentist will inspect the health of your jaw, gums, teeth, and throat to find issues, if there are any.

If you are coming to us for a specific treatment, the dentist or dental assistant will bring you in to prepare you for your appointment. The dentist and support staff will finish making the necessary preparations. This includes getting the required tools and equipment ready, preparing the patient by making them comfortable in the chair, and helping them relax.

During your appointment, your dentist will constantly ensure your comfort and ease. We always place patient care at the top of our priorities.

Afterward, you will have time to ask questions and communicate with your dentist about your oral health moving forward.

Pacifica Dental Office Near You

Cabrillo Family Dental Care proudly serves the greater Pacifica, CA area, providing the highest quality dental care. We always put our patients first.

If you have already scheduled an appointment, we thank you for choosing us to be your dentist.
If you haven't yet, contact us today to schedule a time to come in for a dental exam and cleaning.

Meet Our Doctors:

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Dr. Ryan Henspetter

For more than ten years, Dr. Ryan Henspetter has practiced at Cabrillo Family Dental Care after receiving a post-graduate general residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto.

Dr. Henspetter is a California native that ...

Christopher Jen Kin, DDS, ABOI/ID

Dr. Chris Jen Kin graduated from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2005. Though originally from Los Angeles, he now considers the Bay Area his home.

Dr. Jen Kin’s expertise ...

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Featured Blog Posts - Periodontal Treatment

May 21, 2026

Protect Your Smile From Gum Disease

Woman smiling with thumbs up during dental examination with gloved dentist hands.

Living near the coast in Pacifica comes with its perks. Fresh ocean air, beautiful hiking trails, make it a wonderful place to call home. But while many people focus on staying healthy, gum health often gets overlooked until symptoms become hard to ignore. We help patients protect their smiles with early gum disease treatment in Pacifica, CA, before small problems turn

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