Healthy gums are an essential component of your oral health and overall health. Your gums are the foundation of your teeth and set the stage for a beautiful and radiant smile. If you have signs and symptoms of gum disease or periodontal disease, you must undergo periodontal treatment in San Diego without delay.
Understanding Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection of the gums and bones that support the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of food and bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque constantly forms on our teeth and can only be removed by brushing and flossing. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into calculus (tartar). Once calculus forms, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning at the dentist.
If plaque and calculus are not removed, they will begin to damage the gums and bone. The gums will become red, swollen, and may bleed. This is called gingivitis and is the early stage of periodontal disease. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a more serious infection that can destroy the gums and bones that support the teeth. If left untreated, your teeth may soon become loose, fall out, or need to be removed by a dentist.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease:
- Halitosis or persistent bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Tender gums
- Pain while chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Deep pockets between gums and teeth
- Changes in the way the teeth fit together
The Elements of Your Periodontal Treatment
Your periodontal treatment in San Diego starts with a consultation with a dentist or periodontist. We offer thorough consultations during which the dentist carefully examines your teeth and gums, discusses your symptoms, administers dental x-rays and other diagnostic tests, and determines the precise extent of the damage. Based on your symptoms, goals, and the severity of periodontal disease, we curate a personalized treatment plan, which may include scaling and root planing, crown lengthening, gum lift, bone grafting, gum grafting, and gum depigmentation.
Tips to Prevent Periodontal Disease:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss your teeth once a day.
- Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and drinks.
- Quit smoking.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and exams.
- If you have periodontal disease, follow your dentist’s instructions for treatment.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is usually the first line of defense against periodontal disease. This procedure involves the removal of plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gum line. Root planing is also performed during this procedure, which involves smoothing out the roots of the teeth to remove any bacteria or debris that may be present.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is typically performed when scaling, and root planing has not been successful for periodontal treatment in San Diego. This procedure involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both to expose more of the tooth. This can be done for aesthetic purposes but is often done to reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria around the teeth and make cleaning easier.
Gum Lift
A gum lift, also known as a gingivectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove the diseased, damaged, and excess gum tissues from the mouth. This procedure removes the infected gum tissues to control the progression of periodontal disease and improve oral health. This procedure is often followed by gum grafting.
Bone Grafting
As periodontal disease progresses, the bones around your teeth deteriorate. Bone grafting involves taking a piece of bone from another area of your body and grafting it onto the bones in your mouth to strengthen them and make them less susceptible to further deterioration. Bone grafting facilitates natural jawbone regeneration, a periodontal treatment in San Diego to reverse the effects of periodontitis.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is necessary to correct the effects of gingivitis and gingivectomy on your gums. Gingivitis leads to an erosion of gum tissues, which can expose the roots of your teeth. Gum grafting involves taking a piece of gum tissue from another area of your mouth and grafting it onto the recessed areas to stimulate natural gum regeneration.
Gum Depigmentation
Gum depigmentation is a cosmetic procedure usually performed after all other procedures. Gum disease usually leads to discoloration of the gum tissues, which can negatively affect the quality of your smile. Gum depigmentation involves removing the pigment from the gums, which improves the overall appearance of your teeth and gums.
Perio Protect®
For over half of American adults, a solid oral hygiene routine still isn’t enough to ward off bad breath, gum disease, or even overall health issues. That’s because your toothbrush is just one tool that can only do so much. When it comes to penetrating below the gum line, where open wounds and gum disease are known to thrive, you need more.
Perio Protect® custom trays, molded specifically to your mouth, are built with a patented seal that gently delivers bacteria-fighting hydrogen peroxide deep below your gums where a toothbrush can’t reach. The benefits are remarkable.
By treating gum disease in this non-invasive way from the comfort of your home, you can clear up infections that cause bleeding of the gums. This is important because bleeding gums can become a conduit for pathogens to enter your bloodstream and lead to larger issues like heart disease, diabetes, and colorectal cancer. Further, this treatment also brightens teeth and freshens breath.
Keep brushing, flossing, gargling, and scheduling regular dental cleanings, and know that the results you may be seeking can be achieved with a treatment that is almost as simple as brushing your teeth.
Why Choose Advanced Dentistry & Implant Center?
Advanced Dentistry & Implant Center is a state-of-the-art dental clinic led by Scripps-affiliated dentist Dr. Roya Mirkhan, a specialist in periodontics and dental implantology with 20+ years of experience. We believe in helping you achieve and maintain the perfect smile, which means helping you prevent and treat gum disease at the earliest stage possible. We use cutting-edge technologies and techniques to reverse the effects of gum disease and improve your smile. Please schedule an appointment to explore your options for periodontal treatment in San Diego.
