Stop Gum Disease and Protect Your Natural Teeth in Kennewick, WA
Gum disease treatment may include a professional cleaning for gingivitis, scaling and root planing for periodontitis, and ongoing periodontal maintenance. If advanced gum surgery is needed, we coordinate care with a trusted Tri-Cities periodontist.
Gum disease develops when plaque and bacteria collect around the gums. When plaque hardens into tartar, brushing and flossing can’t remove it. Without treatment, the infection can damage the gums and the bone supporting your teeth.
Because gum disease often doesn’t hurt, bleeding gums may be one of the first signs. If you’ve noticed bleeding, swelling, or other changes, we can assess your gum health at our Kennewick office.
Why Choose Us for Gum Disease Treatment?
We treat people, not just patients. That’s our motto. If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, we’re not here to lecture you about it. We’re more interested in what your gums need now and how we can help you move forward.
We’ve served Tri-Cities families since 2008 and are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. With three dentists and a long-standing clinical team, we make it easier to receive consistent care and schedule appointments around work or family responsibilities.
If your case requires gum surgery, we’ll refer you to a periodontist we trust here in the Tri-Cities. We’ll stay involved so you aren’t left carrying messages between two offices.
Dreading the appointment? Tell us when you book. We offer IV sedation to eligible patients and can discuss whether it’s appropriate for your treatment.
Allie did my deep cleaning and she has a steady hand was super general and made sure she got all that needed to be removed I’m grateful for her. 10 out of 10
I have found Kennewick Dental to be friendly, helpful and courteous. The hygienist did a thorough job of cleaning my teeth!
Staff was exceptional! Kind courteous and respectful! Listened to my needs and performed well. My hygienist was amazing talked me threw everything and make me feel way more relaxed.Ive always been a guy to hate the dentist but she did amazing with my cleaning and didn't hurt at all, huge win in my book! Thank you to my hygienist for amazing work and my dentist for explaining everything to me, ill definitely be back!
Signs It’s Time to Get Your Gums Checked
You can lose a significant amount of bone before anything hurts. Book an exam if you’ve noticed any of these:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste
- Gums pulling away from your teeth
- Teeth that appear longer than before
- Sensitivity around exposed tooth roots
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Changes in your bite
Smoking, diabetes, certain medications, genetics, and missed dental visits can increase your risk. An examination can identify problems that may not yet be noticeable at home.
Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis
The two most common forms of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis can be reversed when it is treated early. Periodontitis causes permanent damage, but treatment can slow its progression and help preserve your natural teeth.
| Gingivitis | Periodontitis | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Early-stage gum disease | Advanced gum disease |
| Common signs | Red, swollen, or bleeding gums | Gum recession, deeper gum pockets, loose teeth, or changes in your bite |
| Damage | No permanent bone loss | Gum and bone loss that can become permanent |
| Treatment | Professional cleaning and improved home care | Scaling and root planing, followed by ongoing periodontal maintenance |
| Can it be reversed? | Yes, when treated early | No, but treatment can slow further damage |
How We Treat Gum Disease
Treatment depends on how advanced the gum disease is.
What Gum Disease Treatment Can Improve
Treatment may help:
- Reduce gum bleeding and inflammation
- Improve persistent bad breath caused by bacteria below the gumline
- Make brushing and flossing more comfortable
- Support healthier gums between maintenance visits
- Slow further gum and bone damage
- Create a healthier foundation for future dental treatment
Not sure whether you need a routine cleaning or periodontal treatment? An examination can show what’s happening below the gumline and what care may help.
Cost, Insurance, and Financing
The cost of gum disease treatment depends on the stage of the condition, how many areas need care, and your insurance benefits. After your evaluation, we’ll provide a treatment plan and explain your expected out-of-pocket cost before care begins.
We accept most major PPO and HMO plans and are in-network with many major carriers, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Premera, Regence, and UnitedHealthcare. We don’t accept Apple Health. Because benefits vary, our team can check your plan and help you understand your coverage.
For eligible patients, CareCredit, TuaPay, and Cherry can divide treatment costs into monthly payments. Patients without dental benefits can ask about our Membership Plan, a discount plan, not insurance. Members remain responsible for payment after any applicable discounts are applied. Senior discounts are also available; ask the office for details.
Meet Our Dentists
Kyle Rowley, DDS
Dr. Kyle Rowley, DDS, grew up near Walla Walla and attended Brigham Young University before earning his dental degree from the University of Washington. He moved to the Tri-Cities in 2018 and is a member of the ADA, Washington State Dental Association, and Benton-Franklin County Dental Society. Outside the office, he enjoys woodworking and spending time with his wife and four children.
Nathan Madder, DMD
Dr. Nathan Madder, DMD, grew up in Calgary and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2005. Before joining Kennewick Dental in 2015, he owned and operated Madder Family Dental. He’s a member of the ADA, Washington State Dental Association, and Benton-Franklin County Dental Society.
Mehak Zentz, DDS
Dr. Mehak Zentz grew up in the Seattle area and attended the University of Washington for both her undergraduate degree and dental school. She met her husband, Ryan, in dental school, and they now have two daughters. In addition to English, Dr. Zentz speaks some Spanish and Hindi/Punjabi. She is a member of the Seattle Study Club. Outside the office, she enjoys baking sourdough and caring for her houseplants.Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease Treatment
Can I treat gum disease at home?
Brushing and flossing can help reverse early gingivitis when combined with professional cleaning. They can’t remove hardened tartar or rebuild bone that has already been lost. Professional care is needed to remove tartar and manage periodontitis.
Does deep cleaning hurt?
We can numb the area before a deep cleaning. You may feel some pressure during treatment, and your gums or teeth may be tender or sensitive afterward for a short time.
What should I expect after scaling and root planing?
Your gums may feel tender, and your teeth may be sensitive for a short time. We’ll explain how to care for the treated areas and let you know when to return for a follow-up.
How often will I need periodontal maintenance?
Your schedule will depend on the severity of the disease and how your gums respond to treatment. Periodontal maintenance is often needed more frequently than routine preventive cleanings.
Can gum disease affect people with diabetes?
Yes. People with diabetes have a higher risk of gum disease, especially when blood sugar isn’t well controlled. Gum inflammation can also make diabetes harder to manage, so regular dental and medical care are both important.
Can bone lost to gum disease grow back?
Bone lost to periodontitis generally doesn’t grow back on its own. Our first goal is to stop or slow additional damage. In some cases, a periodontist may be able to use bone grafting or another regenerative treatment.
Will I need to see a periodontist?
Many patients can receive nonsurgical treatment in our Kennewick office. If you require advanced gum surgery or specialist care, we’ll coordinate a referral and remain involved in your treatment.
Concerned About Your Gums?
Bleeding gums are easy to brush off, especially if nothing hurts. But gum disease can keep progressing without much discomfort. If you’ve noticed bleeding, swelling, bad breath, or other changes in your gums, come in and let us take a look. If it isn’t gum disease, we’ll figure out what’s causing the problem.
Our Kennewick dental office is located at 9501 West Clearwater Avenue, Suite A120, in Kennewick, WA. We’re open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Call (509) 374-4077 to schedule your gum health evaluation.