If you have bleeding gums, you may have periodontal (gum) disease. This common oral health problem can result in lasting damage to teeth and gums if not treated. Fortunately, Downey Dental Arts has the expertise in successfully treating periodontal (gum) disease in Southern California.
The gum tissue in the mouth (more formally known as “gingiva”) has a very important function. The gums hold the teeth in place and provide a protective barrier between the root of the teeth (where sensitive nerve endings are) and the “outside world” (which, in the case of the mouth, is the food and drink we consume for the most part).
If you can think of a human skeleton or skull and what the teeth look like without the gums, you can get a good visual picture of how the gums provide protection to the teeth. Healthy gums mean healthy teeth.
Periodontal (gum) disease is a disease of the gums caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria live inside our mouth at all times and sometimes can serve crucial biological functions. But sometimes, the bacteria get out of control and infect the gums. This infection is called periodontal (gum) disease.
Infected gums become inflamed because the bacterial infestation produces acids after consuming plaque and tartar built up on the teeth. This inflammation can cause the gums to be sore and painful. They can bleed when you eat, brush, or floss. As the periodontal infection gets worse, the gums pull away from the teeth and recede. In essence, this periodontal infection “kills” the gum tissue.
Periodontal (gum) disease affects the teeth in a big way because the teeth need the gums to survive and thrive. Additionally, the bacterial acids produced also eat away at tooth enamel, so you are probably experiencing tooth decay while you are getting gum disease.
Gingivitis is stage one of periodontal (gum) disease. It is when the gums become inflamed. This is the best time to treat periodontal (gum) disease because, at this stage, it can be reversed. You may have red, tender, and swollen gums that are prone to bleed at this stage.
Periodontitis is full-blown periodontal (gum) disease. It is when the infection has really set into the gums and teeth. The gums recede in a big way, leaving visible pockets between the gums and teeth. Periodontal (gum) pockets that are 3 mm or larger indicate a progression from gingivitis into periodontitis.
Prevention is key in mitigating periodontal (gum) disease. For reasons we don’t fully understand yet, some people are more prone to periodontal disease. That said, anyone can get it, and it can happen at any age. Of course, the older you are, the more likely you are to have gum disease, but prevention is best when started young.
The number one thing you can do is brush and floss daily and maintain your regularly scheduled dental cleanings at Downey Dental Arts in Southern California. Also, be sure to reduce unnecessary sugar in your diet, which can contribute to gum disease. Sugar feeds bacteria.
Yes, periodontal (gum) disease can be treated. The type of treatment depends on how advanced the periodontal disease is. One of the main treatments for periodontitis is deep root scaling and planing. This is a very deep dental cleaning where our qualified dental hygienists will gently go below the gum line to remove accumulated plaque and tartar buildup.
Once the root scaling and planing is complete, you can visit us at Downey Dental Arts two or three times per year for routine periodontal cleanings. These are very similar to routine teeth cleanings but a little more in-depth and help keep periodontal disease at bay.
In cases where periodontitis has progressed to where the gums have degenerated and receded, we may sometimes perform a gum graft. With a gum graft, we take some tissue from another part of your mouth and use it to replace the gingiva (gum tissue) that was lost. This can be a successful procedure in helping to reduce tooth loss from periodontal disease.
The prognosis for periodontal (gum) disease is individual and depends on how far it has progressed. If you catch periodontal disease early, in the gingivitis phase, you have a good chance of reversing the damage and returning the gums to full health.
If the gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, we can stop it, but some damage (such as bone loss or tooth loss) cannot be reversed. We can, however, repair the damage using restorative dentistry techniques such as bone grafting and dental implants or bridges to replace lost teeth.
Periodontal (gum) disease treatment costs vary depending on the specific treatment. Routine periodontal cleanings are quite affordable and run from approximately $75 to $150. Deep cleanings in the form of root scaling and planing cost more but are not done very frequently. These typically cost a few hundred dollars per quadrant (or quarter section of the mouth).
Gum graft surgery, tooth extraction, or restorative dentistry will have additional costs. Please call our friendly staff to find out more. We also offer affordable financing and payment plans at Downey Dental Arts.
Stop Periodontal (Gum) Disease Today!
If you think you might have periodontal (gum) disease in Southern California, don’t wait. Get started now on periodontal treatment. Contact us today by calling (562) 445-3363 to schedule your appointment at Downey Dental Arts.
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